The Making of an Icon – Jason Christopher Peters Puts the Style in Stylista

Jason Christopher Peters// Photo: Noa G.// Stylist: Sarah Kang, Eric Claiborne// Makeup Artist: Eric McLaurin// Faux Fur Collar & Necklace: TopShop, Jacket: Armani Exchange

By Eric Claiborne

Former Supermodel/Actress/Talk Show Host/Producer Tyra Banks, creator of America’s Next Top Modelhas a knack for choosing the next shining star. The show has spawned successful and talented model/actresses like Eva Marcille, Yaya DaCosta and Toccara Jones whom have appeared in movies, music videos, and cable television series and on runways around the world. In the Fall of 2008, Tyra also produced Stylista – a reality based series where 11 fashion enthusiasts competed for a junior editor position at the famed Elle magazine, a one year rent free apartment in NYC and a $100,000 clothing allowance at H&M. One of the eleven contestants was not like the others. Tall and lean with eyes lit up by dreams, Jason Christopher Peters stood above the rest.

JCP as I like to refer to him is an energetic and avant garde man, brewing with drive and thirst for the spotlight. This aspiring fashion designer has experienced more in his twenty-something life in the industry than many have done in their entire lives. Jason is embarking on his pre-destined path into becoming an iconic women’s couture designer and entrepreneur. I caught up with Jason on the set of the CIREMAG photo shoot where we discussed his difficult childhood, his inspirations and what’s next for this rising couturier.

Jacket: Armani Exchange, A-Shirt: Jockey, Necklace: TopShop

EC: You were a contestant on the reality show Stylista which was produced by Tyra Banks. On the show, a select group of individuals participated in a series of challenges to obtain a highly coveted Junior Editor position at Elle. What was that experience like for you?

JCP: I always said that I would never be part of a reality show even though everyone tells me that my real life could be a movie or show of its own. The experience was a crazy one. I never knew that it would change my life the way that it has. I still get recognized and fans come up to me every day! I wish people would have gotten to see the REAL me by being on the show!

EC: I’ve learned that your inspiration for clothing design comes from Zac Posen and Betsey Johnson. What is it about their designs that inspire you?

JCP: I am influenced by many designers right now. Betsey Johnson’s funky and colorfulness Zac Posen’s flawlessly beautiful structuring the embellishing of the Blonds and the over the top think outside the box innovation of Alexander McQueen. Those are my main influences.

EC: In an entry from your blog (http://jasonchristopherpeters.blogspot.com) you mentioned that “Teen PeopleMagazine associates stated that I was a “young Roberto Cavalli.” Sister 2 Sister Magazine’s September 2005 Issue stated that “Jason Christopher Peters is a name to look out for as a rising star designer who shows terrific promise.” Do you think you have lived up to these accolades?

JCP: The fashion industry is the toughest and most critical industry in the world. Expectations demands and standards have always been put upon me, even when I first started in the industry when I was a teenager. I honestly can’t answer that question. I take pride in every collection I design and all of my work has always been talked about very highly with the highest of regards so I know that the world continues to appreciate and love what I create. That is a true blessing. 

Shirt and Suspenders: H&M, Bowtie and Love Ribbon: TopMan

EC:  What was it like growing up in Chico, CA? At what age did you decide that you wanted to become a fashion designer?

JCP: Chico, CA is very country. (People are always saying that when they talk to me. They hear the country in my voice and by the way I act). There really is NO fashion in Chico, California at all! I mean, we had almond orchards in our backyard for God’s sake and not to mention we raised chickens and I would go out to the chicken coop and get the chicken eggs with my brothers growing up and also there were cows across the street from our house just hanging out all day. I started sketching when I was three years old but it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I realized I had this talent of being a fashion designer. I put on a fashion show as a joke. A thousand people showed up and the rest just took off from there!

EC: What’s the muse behind your upcoming women’s couture line? When do you plan to launch the collection?

JCP: There are definitely a few new muses behind my new collection. Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Sessilee Lopez and Chanel Iman. But the MAIN muse who has always been the main muse of my collection is Dolores Mae Peters, she taught me everything that I know about fashion design and is my heart and soul. I hope to launch the women’s collections very soon, we are shooting for February 2010!

EC: There is speculation that you’ll launch a men’s sneaker line in early 2010. Will the shoes be produced independently or through a major shoe brand?

JCP: People speculate about my life all day every day, so if you don truly know me you may not know what to think. I can say that I love sneakers and my recent sneaker collection is growing rapidly. I have to get shoe racks for my room now just for the sneakers, but I’m thinking I may need a closet like Carrie Bradshaw for all her Manolo Blahniks LOL. (Jeremy Scott, Kanye West and Christian Louboutin Sneakers are the hottest!) So to answer your question, I would love to have my own men’s sneaker line someday, yes.

Trousers: H&M, Zippered Back Patent Leather & Canvas Sneakers: Robert Wayne

EC: Do you have a desire to launch a menswear collection? If so, when and what do you predict it will look like? If not, why not design a men’s line? Your early women’s designs seem to be well received.

JCP: Menswear? Hmmm. What do you think? I think I will leave that up to my favorite menswear designers Givenchy, DSquared, Dior Homme, Trussard and Assembly New York. I actually hope to someday be in ad campaigns or their runway shows since I still do model and do runway shows! However, everyone is constantly telling me that I should do menswear. We will see though, I can say that a Jason Christopher Couture men’s accessory line is in the works and we just shot the ads for it last week!

EC: How would you describe your style?

JCP: My style is very edgy Tokyo high fashion-chill LOL. I am always going to red carpet events where I have to be dressed up 24/7, but I love comfortable clothing! I just went on a major shopping extravaganza at Uniqlo in SOHO New York today! I LOVE their clothing! I mix and match everything! I don’t really follow trends. If I see something I like I buy it, not really ever worrying about what others might say if I wear it, like these Dolce Gabbana huge bracelets that I just got in black and white!

EC: How do you see the future of men’s style evolving? Will there be a return to classic fashion?

JCP: Right now everything is turning crazy and futuristic! I think that the classic looks aren’t really sought after as they used to be in the fashion world. I think that menswear designers will be pushing boundaries and limits with the new styles they create!

Hoodie Scarf: H&M, Crystal Encrusted Jaguar Necklace: TopShop

EC: What’s next for Jason C. Peters?

JCP: I hope to one day do it all! I would love to have a show about my life and conquer the world of fashion, music and entertainment. I would love to have a fragrance as well and continue to model and do ad campaigns for my favorite designers! I LOVE to model and do photo shoots! I become C. PETERS when I am in front of the camera, almost like Beyonce turning into Sasha fierce. But what matters the most to me is being a role model to young kids and people around the world and always maintaining my positive and good image. I am a genuine good humble person and you rarely see that in today’s fashion world. I will never EVER change the way I am or conform for anyone!

Jason is surely someone who will indelibly make his mark in the fashion industry. Demonstrated by his pursuit of perfecting his craft both in design and modeling, one can tell that he lives and breathes his artistic vision which will catapult him into the next generation of iconic fashion designers.

Check out photos from Jason’s shoot on CIREMAG’s Flickr page. Stay in touch with Jason via email at jason.christopher.peters@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @JasonCPeters.