Jeanne Dumas-Jacquemus

Jeanne Dumas-Jacquemus, born 1690 AN in Ouinville, Altus, is a citizen of Nouvelle Alexandrie resident in Chryse. She is notable as a fashion designer and the founder of the JDJ fashion label.

Biography

Noted for truancy and delinquency during her education. Although scoring well in standardised assessment, she would ultimately be expelled from high school without graduating. Subsequently lost from the records of local education authorities and social services. Reported to have absconded from the family home in 1705 AN. Lived an itinerant life in Valenciana and later Narbonne, ultimately falling in with ill-company.

Attested to have been a yacht girl on the Côte du Sud. Briefly arrested for disorderly conduct and damage to property in the Hotel Metropole, Fontainebleau, subject to a fine which was paid by an unknown third party.

Arrived in Chryse in 1708 AN, in the entourage of a Constancian business traveller from Arak. Subsequently detained by the cudgellers after absconding with items of jewellery, including luxury watches, belonging to the traveller. Sentenced to four years of penal servitude, commuted upon electing to accept entry into the service of the Guild of the Lotus as an apprentice. Leased as a model and brand ambassador to companies on the Grand Arcade. Brought to the notice of fashion designer Konstantin Kostelanetz, who subsequently purchased her apprenticeship and service bond in 1710 AN.

Early career

Served with the House of Kostelanetz (1710 AN – 1714 AN). Thereafter employed as a seamstress within the womenswear division of the company.

Declined opportunity to evacuate from Chryse to Nouvelle Alexandrie during the 1730 AN – 1732 AN war scare between the Benacian Union and Shireroth, instead taking advantage of the abrupt departure of talent and depression of property rental prices to leave the House of Kostelanetz and start her own business in XII.1732 AN.

JDJ Fashion

Application to the Guild of Artisans for livery and charter on behalf of the Company of Jeanne Dumas-Jacquemus, Dressmaker and Designer in Chryse, trading as JDJ Fashion was made on 14.XII.1732 AN. The application was almost immediately challenged by the Guild of Artificers in defence of their hitherto monopoly over high fashion in Chryse. The contention of the Guild of Artisans however was that the small scale of the proposed enterprise would place it in their purview. Jeanne Dumas-Jacquemus was instead granted an interim licence to trade by the civic authorities whilst the matter was taken to arbitration.