At Southern University, friends Clarence Grant and Dyrel Treadwell Jr. launched their clothing line Jeanisis (pronounced “genesis”) with one design on 24 screen-printed T-shirts. That was nearly a decadea ago, but shifting from the gaudy Ed Hardy-style designs popular at the time, Jeanisis went in a more clean-cut direction, expanding to include denim and earning wide local exposure thanks to radio deejays like Kool DJ Supa Mike.?
The designers approached local stations early to rally support for their urban wear. They even pitched their clothes to visiting music stars like New Orleans rapper Mystikal. “You have to knock on people’s doors a thousand times,” Treadwell says, reffering to the marketing of his line.
Proud of our French culture, the upcoming fall men and women’s lines represent Louisiana heritage. In the men’s line, each wash will have names spelled using French influence: the Marquise and Sabastien collections, to name a few. A new line pays homage to the women in the designers’ lives. Grant’s mother and grandmother are represented in the Anna and Katherine collections. Treadwell’s mother is named Elizabeth, but he will use the French spelling, Elisabeth. jeanisis.com
