In 2013, Jia Wertz took a trip to Gulu, Uganda with a non-profit organization called Kleos Microfinance Group. After meeting a few women in Uganda, Wertz realized that the amazing women with big hearts that she met didn’t have access to basic necessities like food and water.
“I decided to take what I know, which is managing and growing fashion businesses, and do good with it,” Wertz explained.
Wertz returned to the United States and decided to combine her passion for fashion and philanthropy. She left behind a 16-year career working in fashion retail to create Studio 15, a fashion forward women’s dress boutique at the intersection of philanthropy and style. The company specializes in providing high quality pieces at prices that are affordable to women from all walks of life.
To help the women that reminded her to follow her dreams, she partnered with Kleos Microfinance Group to donate a portion of each sale to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries. Although it wasn’t easy in the beginning, she learned aspects of running a business she hadn’t learned through experience by taking classes, joining Mastermind groups, and research.
She has also made it a point to focus on a few key points that illustrate that Studio15 is very female centric.
Wertz explained what that means:
“All our dresses are fully lined, because when clothes are lined, they are more flattering on women’s bodies.
All our clothes are around a $50 price point so they are affordable because we believe that affordable quality fashion should be accessible to all women from all walks of life.
Additionally, we don’t believe in plastering a brand-name on garments and charging a premium for it, simply because brand logos don’t always communicate quality.”
We offer custom pieces tailored to your measurements so they fit like a glove.
Lastly, we donate 5 percent of all proceeds to help women in need because it’s all about women.”
Studio 15 also has another unique aspect. Instead of fashion shows and models, the company hosts parties and popup shops catered around their customers. The company partners with other local businesses and offer things like free manicures and makeovers.
To date, her business has helped over 30 women entrepreneurs.
Wertz also takes on social causes. Studio15 is the official seller of the #FreeAdnan t-shirts.
When Wertz’s husband asked her to listen to the first Serial podcast, which was based on Adnan Syed, a Pakistani Muslim American who is in jail for killing his girlfriend, she was hooked.
After the podcast ended, Wertz was convinced that Syed was innocent and wanted to do something to help. She met others with a similar mindset and hosted a benefit concert with all the proceeds going to Syed’s legal defense.
100 percent of the sales of the #freeAdnan shirts went to his legal defense and will continue to do so. Syed’s family and friends reached out and showed their support, making Studio15 the official retailer of the #FreeAdnan line.
This week, Studio15 launched a new line: the “Future Is Female Collection.”
As an immigrant and daughter of a Muslim family, this is close to her heart.
“For me, its also personal. If Trump’s travel ban were to take effect, there is a chance that my parents couldn’t come visit me,” Wertz explained. “Plus, we are a female-founded company that strives to serve strong, dynamic women here and abroad through our philanthropic partnerships.”
“It would be a betrayal to ourselves and our customers if we stayed silent,” she added.
