It was two years that I attended the Zadig & Voltaire Fashion Show in New York City and was introduced to the incredible artist, Jormi. Woking in collaboration for a few years now, Jormi was set up at the 11 Howard, the hotel I happened to be staying up, holding a pop-up shop to showcase and create her one-of-a-kind designs.

She personalized my white clutch, that I then went on to wear with absolutely everything. This past September, I saw her again for her ongoing work with Zadig & Voltaire, where she customized my little black bag. When I saw her this season at Fashion Week, we discussed my shoes that she is going to customize (stay tuned!). She also invited me into her home where I obviously fell in love with some of her incredible art to be framed for my office.

Jormi is a freelance visual artist based out of NYC. She is also a fashion designer and digital strategist – I mean, the woman is a force to be reckoned with. She has collaborations going with huge names, but this season, her tribute to Kobe Bryant at the Zadig & Voltaire SoHo store had people flocking.

Her live, in-store customizations was such an amazing added bonus to Fashion Week. Jormi explains that her art is used as “a tool for empowerment,” a way for her to express herself, a tool for motivation. When you see the graffiti-like expressionist movements to her art, you can feel the power, expression, and motivation.

Currently on tour in LA at the Zadig & Voltaire stores, Jormi brings an extra edge to the already-edgy brand. Highly recognizable, Jormi’s artwork is a mix of handwriting, visual etchings and monochromatic symbols. I can’t help but feel that so much of her message is a coming together of her knowledge of the world and fusion of cultures (Jormi is from Venezuela, studied in Paris and now lives in NYC).

Jormi’s artwork creates an intentional dialogue. Some more explicit statements, like “art is truth,” say something so seemingly obvious, but when two abstract concepts like “art” and “truth” are forced together in one statement, well, safe to say, a meaningful conversation is sparked between the viewer and the artwork.

I’m so grateful to meet inspiring artists like Jormi. Opportunities to really get to know people in this industry and forge friendships are probably my favourite part of the gig. We talked art, fashion, women in business and so much more. Getting to know the city through her lens, Jormi is the one who introduced me to citizen Bowery Hotel… you’ll learn all about it in an upcoming blog!
Photography by Patricia Brochu