IN TRUE FASHION

Where Innovation, Education and Collaboration are Always in Fashion

Concerned that underprivileged youth lack the support and resources necessary to provide consistent mentorship and exposure to real-world business experience, In True Fashion was founded in February 2010 by luxury handbag designer Nancy Gale of JAMAH.

In True Fashion is a competition-based entrepreneurial program that fosters entrepreneurial thinking in low-income students. Founded on cause, commerce & consciousness, In True Fashion builds self-esteem and work ethic through hands-on participation and promotes the value of products “Made in the USA.” Above all, In True Fashion empowers today’s youth to dream big.

Spearheaded and currently hosted by JAMAH, the In True Fashion journey educates teams of high school students as they participate in a luxury brand’s manufacturing process from design to physical fruition of a product. They are exposed to every aspect of running a business including strategic planning, branding, financing and marketing. Collaborative in-class work is supplemented by workshops with expert mentors and visits from high profile, inspirational guest speakers. Through the process, the students cultivate a strong work ethic and a consciousness of their surroundings.

The program culminates in a national design competition and auction, with the winning designs finding a place in the real world. Honoring cause & commerce, every time the winning bag is purchased, a portion of its proceeds goes to NFTE and the winning high school.

In True Fashion is based out of Environmental Charter High School, our concept school in Los Angeles, California. Since the inception of In True Fashion, the program has gained high profile attention from coveted guest mentors including Richard Branson, founder of THE VIRGIN GROUP, Jane Wurwand, founder and owner of DERMALOGICA and THE INTERNATIONAL DERMAL INSTITUTE, Rob Minkoff, acclaimed film director and Steve Schimmel, a founding business team member and 13th employee at GOOGLE.

With the expansion of In True Fashion, additional luxury brands that uphold the “Made in the USA” philosophy will be invited to unite with JAMAH and participate as host companies. In True Fashion is committed to encouraging businesses to intrinsically connect cause and commerce in such a way that one cannot function without the other.

Together with Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Environmental Charter Schools and Roozt.com, In True Fashion is able to bring to life a much-needed resource for building better futures in our community.

Marlena Burger

I really appreciate the fact that in your first paragraph of "In True Fashion" you are talking about the importance of educating the youth by steering them away from imported products.
Cheap is not always good. Most the time, you get what you pay for
Although the silk used in my products are imported, all the work that goes into making them quality articles of wearable art is "Made and produced in the USA".
From the dyes used to the printing to the sewing, all is from small US manufacturers and we are very proud of that fact.