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Dress designer in St. Clair Shores transitions to make face masks

Posted at 12:34 PM, Apr 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-08 12:34:15-04

(WXYZ) — Normally it’s busy season for dress designers, as alterations would be in full swing for proms and weddings. But business has temporarily shifted for Jules Joyner Designs in St. Clair Shores.

“Wedding season really fires up traditionally in April,” she said.

That means this is normally a busy time of year for Jules. But with those events canceled or postponed the shop is pretty quiet.

“Many of those gowns are still here because they have not been picked up.”

The CDC now recommends wearing a face mask when in public.

For anyone who wants to pick up their dresses, Jules made face masks to practice social distancing.

She posted the photo of them on Instagram.

“My whole intent was to let people know that if you had to come in, you’re safe and we will get this done.”

The reaction on social media was positive.

“Pretty mind-blowing. I had a lot of inquiries of ‘wow are these for sale?’ ‘Can you do other designs?’”

After getting some requests, she started to look at the fabric she already has.

“Nothing medical grade, stuff that can be washed, so what do I have in cottons and raw silks.”

Because they are custom made, she could make them unique, even kid’s sizes to fit smaller faces.

“Me, being Jules, it has to have the the Jules spin on it. So it has to have a little lace, a little bling, have some fun.”

Creating face masks is not as easy as it looks.

“Not harder than a wedding dress but it wasn’t just a wham, bam, bam thing.”

Jules was working on creating ready made gowns but the interest for face masks has spiked.

“Like to think of it as a service that under the circumstances right now can be needed but it’s going to get a fun twist.”

The masks start at $18.
For more information go to: https://www.julesjoynerdesigns.com/ or her Instagram page: https://instagram.com/julesjoynerdesigns

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