Javier Ortega is the talented Colombian designer behind one of my favorite lines, JOR, which just released its Fall/Winter collection. JOR is a POP brand for guys who are not afraid of color. The Fall/Winter 2019 collection is inspired by the Art Deco architecture of Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Beautiful cobalt blues, emerald greens, bright oranges and even pops of neon are just some of the colors that Ortega introduced this season. Prints are a huge part of the JOR brand and I love all of them, but I must confess that the Cactus-print swim shorts are my fav.
I recently sat down with Javier to get all the juicy tidbits on his new collection.
How did JOR come about?
JOR was born seven years ago from my need to make a colorful, funny brand with the best quality and materials of my country, Colombia. A piece of my soul is reflected in it—JOR reflects the Latin spirit through color and prints.
Do you have a fashion background?
I am a graphic designer, and I also team up with my sister-in-law who is an industrial designer. Together we develop the collections.
How do you choose your beautiful prints?
In each collection we choose a topic, and from there we develop the prints. Nature is wise and an important source of inspiration in our collections. The color is always the star.
What is your favorite part of the creative process?
Getting involved in the whole process is important for me, since choosing the materials, making shapes (fits), designing the prints on the computer, and receiving the finished garments from the sewing factory; it all fills me with emotion. To participate in the photo shoots and catalog design, to finally present the collection to our distributors and customers is just wonderful; and even more so when a collection’s message is received with acceptance and appreciation. You realize that it was worth the effort involved in making a brand.
You have a very well-rounded line: underwear, swimwear, beachwear, active wear & accessories. I know this might be hard to pick, but which is your favorite product line to design and why?
I love making prints for underwear and swimsuits, because I can create something different and funny; but the beachwear line (shorts) is my favorite, because I try to improve in each collection with beautiful and high-quality products.
Would you ever consider branching into making fashion in these categories for women?
Women have always asked us to develop something for them, and it’s something that we’re looking to launch in the future, absolutely!
Is there anyone out there star-wise, gay or not, who you’d like to convince to be the JOR star?
We have been fortunate that a star like Francois Sagat wears our clothes and has given us beautiful photographs. I am very grateful to him for that.
I would like the Rupaul’s Drag Race models to wear JOR underwear.
To have to Aquaman (Jason Momoa) wearing a JOR Swimsuit or a Mini-short, would be awesome as well! JOR, The POP brand for Color Lovers!
JOR is a complete brand of product underwear, swimwear, beachwear, activewear & accessories, available online at jorwear.com and locally at Pride Factory.
INSTAGRAM @jor_underwear
Twitter @JOR_Underwear
Facebook page: JOR Underwear
