About Austin Jade Murray - Designer of Austin Jade
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Cut, color and comfort - these three little words propelled Austin Jade Murray to start her casual chic, designer sportswear collection, Austin Jade, at the young age of 18. Drawing on inspiration from luxurious ports of calls such as Bondi Beach, St. Tropez and the Italian Riviera, the Spring 2009 debut of Austin Jade features season-less, resort wear tops and dresses in 100 percent silk chiffon. Bright, bold colors such as Maho Bay Salmon, Steel Drum Blue and Bougainvillea Fuchsia evoke warm, sun-filled memories of the Caribbean Tropics while cinched waistlines, neckline bows, sashes and poet sleeves lend an air of ageless, feminine sophistication.
While only a sophomore in high school, Murray immersed herself in the fashion industry through an internship with her mentor Adrienne Landau, the fur and accessory designer coveted by Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Beyonce. She was exposed to patternmaking and creating design boards in addition to fashion sales and merchandising. Murray also worked alongside the designer in creating A by Adrienne Landau, a faux fur line targeted to a younger demographic.
Managing the expectations of Landau’s upscale, cosmopolitan clientele, Murray familiarized herself with the sexy silhouettes that appeal to average-sized women. She utilizes the same figure flattering cuts in Austin Jade’s premier collection. Working alongside the designer also taught Murray more about the business behind the fashion and the arduous journey from conception to reality.
She continued to spend her high school summers in Manhattan working in fashion. Her next position with Nautica provided insight into a classic, American apparel brand that captures the active, adventurous and spirited lifestyle of modern men and women. She quickly put her talents to work styling the looks and set design for catalog and publicity photo shoots.
However, the biggest influence behind the Austin Jade label came from her experience working with Nanette Lepore whose collections reflect the true gypsy spirit with beautiful, bohemian influences. It was here that one of the company’s youngest talents nurtured her passion for delicate and luxurious fabrics. The highly-coveted opportunity solidified Murray’s lifelong ambition to not only design under her own name but to run her very own company.
She supplemented the industry experience she gained while still in high school with classes at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) upon graduation. Murray spent three semesters at SCAD as a fashion major before she was accepted to Paris’ prestigious Istituto Marangoni, Europe’s leading fashion and design school attended by the illustrious Franco Moschino, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Guerriero.
However, while home for the summer, Murray’s innate desire to start her own fashion label was too intense to ignore. In just two short months, she sourced a patternmaker, signature fabrics and started sewing. Based on cut, color and comfort, her apparel line Austin Jade pays tribute to modern simplicity with flowing dresses and tops that lend a splash of rich, vivid color for day or night wear.
Versatility also plays an important role in the Austin Jade collection as the Riviera Top can be worn backwards for a completely new and different look. Murray was inspired by her dueling fashion personalities of rocker chic Sienna Miller mixed with the classy elegance of Jackie O thus her resort ready styles sport a bohemian flair.
Murray has decided to postpone school in Paris for now as she is currently living her dream at the young age of 19, proving that there is no “right age” or “right way” to becoming a designer as long as you follow your heart.