Ep. 11 Jonathan Cohen: “We're not people who like to be comfortable”

San-Diego born ready-to-wear designer Jonathan Cohen always harbored ambitions of launching his own brand. Following his education at Parsons School of Design and experience with industry luminaries like Patricia Field and Oscar de la Renta, Cohen and his business partner Sarah Leff took the plunge in 2011. They recognized a gap in the market and sought to “inject more color” diverging from the monotonous black.

By embracing vivid hues and floral prints inspired by his Mexican roots and California upbringing, Cohen's eponymous brand has made its mark in the New York fashion scene over the past decade. He was recognized as a runner-up in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2018, and gained further acclaim in 2020 for dressing First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on the eve of the presidential inauguration.

Throughout his journey, Cohen has eschewed conventional industry norms, relying on his personal vision to drive his business forward and navigate obstacles. In this conversation, he reflects on the importance of kindness in the pursuit of success, shares how his creative process has been a journey of self-discovery, and discusses the guiding principles behind his work.