Jon Haggins was born in Florida in 1943. At the age of 15, he headed to New York to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. Shortly after graduating, he opened his studio. Within two years, his first collection sparked the interest of popular fashion magazines due to his different type of designing style that stood out from what was considered fashionable at the time. Haggins changed the fashion game with his soft, draped matte jersey designs.
As his career took off, his clothes were being carried by the major department stores and even featured in well-known fashion magazines.
Haggins describes himself as “very conservative, even though my designs are rather daring.”
His use of alluring necklines and sexy bathing-suits, and bold strokes, earned him national recognition as one of the youngest nominees for the prestigious Coty Award. An award in the fashion world that’s equivalent to an Oscar or Emmy.
Haggins went on to receive several awards for his fashions. Unfortunately, by 1972, he closed his studio due to a lack of funds. Shortly after, he used the opportunity to launch his singing career and formed the group “Hot Stuff.”
Getting back to fashion, he created Teeze, Inc., a novelty tee shirt company, and in 1980, he returned to fashion full-time.
Source: The Morning Call
Linda Hiwot
Me and John were classmates at FIT . We were so silly together. We were always laughing . Even though we went into different directions. I never forgot John. He was so much fun to be around. Of course we didn’t get much done in class.
Linda Hiwot
Jamila
Linda HiwotThis is awesome, thanks for sharing a memory about John with me.