This self-taught designer from Temple is bringing diversity to her clothing line
‘No matter the shape, size, color—I want people to see themselves in a piece made by me’
Jennifer Mota, a senior Journalism major has found success with her clothing line Hu-Huako, a locally based fashion line catering to all body types and inspired by her parent’s native country, the Dominican Republic.
According to Hu-huako’s website, this fashion line gives an urban feel to many decades of fashion from edgy nineties t-shirts, sizzling eighties crop tops to the flowy flower child of the seventies and the rock of the sixties.
Aside from creating new fashion products, Jennifer is also very involved in the Philadelphia local fashion and music scene while also becoming a go-to-girl for styling and creative assisting.
Temple prides itself as a diverse school and Jennifer is a prime example of a student using her ethnicity to empower her business. On Hu-Huako’s Instagram, her main goal is to use every type of girl as her models.
“The overall goal of my Instagram and visuals is to hope that every girl—no matter the shape, size, color could see themselves in a piece made by me,” Mota said. “I use regular girls, my friends and girls I meet through social media are my models.”
The Tab Temple interviewed Jennifer about Hu-Huako and why she decided to make a diverse Philly based clothing line while also being a college student.
How did you first start Hu-Huako?
Growing up I had a really hard time finding swimsuits. I have always been thick, athletic built, and busty. Not many brands catered to my body type. During my high school years, I attended St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls. I took a Sewing and Textiles class with Mrs. Green an amazing and creative teacher who taught in a really laid back manner and we would listen NSYNC and Britney while we sewed.
We learned how to make pajamas, messenger bags, pillows, and quilts. The summer after my senior year I started pulling apart pieces of clothing (dresses, pants, skirts, etc) to learn the form and pattern.
Over time, I taught myself how to make various pieces. At one point, I began making things for others and my friends motivated me to start a line. It was then that Hu-huako was created and I named it after both my grandfathers, Julio and Joaquin (but his nickname was Juako). I combined both names, and switched the J to H since I wanted the name to be pronounced right.
What’s your inspiration and overall goal for the line?
My inspiration is heavily set on the past decades of fashion, in every aspect it can be the pop-culture, music, art, politics, fashion, and movies. My father listened to a lot of American and British bands when he was learning English back in the Dominican Republic. I grew up very cultured in music, out in the neighborhood and school I was influenced by Hip-hop and freestyle. At home with my mother, it was all Spanish music and with my dad it was 70’s and 80’s classic rock and pop. I am a first generation Dominican-American so I’m also inspired by the culture, tropical, vibrant colors and music of the country.
How is your clothing line different than others?
To me the answer is simple, Hu-Huako has the aesthetics, quality, and a sense of individualism that I don’t see much in other brands. I put a lot of thought into my pieces, the fabric I use, the pattern I use, Instagram posts and the girls featured in my posts. It wasn’t until recent years that the fashion industry started thinking, “Hey maybe not every woman is a size 2 or 4”.
Did you create this business on your own?
Yes I did! I pretty much went with the flow in the beginning. That wasn’t the greatest idea. I am not a Fashion major. I am a self taught designer who is still learning new things now. I had to take a year off from sewing to study and interning to understand more about fashion business and design.
From Hu-huako’s Instagram, you notice diversity. Was that a goal of yours when you created this line?
The overall goal of my Instagram is to hope that every girl—no matter the shape, size, color, can see themselves in a piece made by me. I use regular girls, my friends and girls I meet through social media are my models. With my line, I find beauty in hair textures, eyes, or if there is something about her look that works well with a photo shoot. I am now currently working on a few plus sized projects that am stoked about.
How could people buy your clothes or order them?
I handle everything through email: [email protected]
Do you have any exciting plans for the future for Hu-huako?
Because of my school schedule, I stick to mainly summer pieces and suits but I soon hope to cater more to men and other seasons as well!