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Jamie Hayes
Jamie Hayes
01:00

Jamie Hayes

Production Mode

Chicago, IL USA

"Nobody’s path is clear or linear. If you find that you’re straying a little bit, pull yourself back on course. It’s all going to tie together eventually."

Career Roadmap

Jamie's work combines: Fashion, Design, and Being Creative

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Day In The Life

Founder & Designer

I design ethical fashion, teach sustainability, and oversee production with a hands-on approach.

01:54

Day In The Life Of A Fashion Designer

My Day to Day

Production Mode is a small business, so we all do a bit of everything in the business. It's a bit less efficient that way but also more interesting. It also helps us to appreciate one another and our respective strengths and weaknesses. Design and pattern drafting are my favorite activities, so I try to prioritize those. I also prioritize strategic business planning, as it's important to work on my business, not just in it.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    English Literature

    Washington University in St. Louis

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Fashion Design

    Columbia College Chicago

  • Graduate Degree

    Social Work

    University of Chicago

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    My love for sewing was inspired by the women in my family.

  • 2.

    I earned my bachelor’s degree in English literature but ultimately realized that wasn’t the right path for me, so I pursued a second bachelor’s degree in fashion design.

  • 3.

    I gained experience working for a small handbag company under two incredible mentors who shaped my career.

  • 4.

    My work in fashion led me to advocate for fair labor practices, fighting for garment workers' rights locally and globally.

  • 5.

    Returning to school, I earned a master’s in social work, focusing on labor rights in the garment industry.

  • 6.

    In 2015, I launched my ethical fashion line, Production Mode, combining my passion for design with advocacy for sustainability.

  • 7.

    Teaching Columbia College’s inaugural sustainable fashion course allowed me to inspire the next generation of designers.

  • 8.

    I opened my shop in 2023, merging creativity, business, and sustainability into a tangible expression of my values.

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