Veronica Jones (Finding Aid)

Veronica Jones

1946 -

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Exotic foods

Favorite Time of Year: Spring, Summer and Fall

Favorite Vacation Spot: Bali, Indonesia

Interview Length: 184 minutes

Interview Date(s): May 20, 2001, March 3, 2001

Interview Location(s): Grandview, 2531 Frederick Douglas Blvd., New York, NY

Abstract

Veronica Jones details her childhood--from losing her father when she was just 9 months old to vivid memories from Camden, New Jersey. Veronica Jones describes in colorful and vivid detail her educational experiences as a child and young adult. Of particular note are her anecdotes about her budding interest in clothing and fashion and how it sometimes brought her wanted and unwanted attention. Veronica Jones details her rise in the fashion mercahndising industry. From her stints at EJ Korvette's discount department store to the Abraham & Strauss executive training program, Jones was on a trajectory for success. As one of the first black fashion merchandisers, Veronica jones details her rise in the industry. Her hopes to become a buyer were thwarted while she worked at A&S department store, but she jumped to discount retailer, EJ Korvette's as a buyer. From there, she rose in the ranks to a buyer at Calfornia retailer Joseph Magnin. Jones describes the difficulties she faced as a black woman balzing a trail in the fashion industry as well as friends and mentors she made along the way. Veronica Jones delves into her life in fashion merchandising--its ups and downs and the sea-changes in departments store merchandising. Jones also discusses her foray into repping black clothing designers to upscale department stores and the difficulties they faced due to race, financing and econmic circumstances. Fashion merchndiser Veronica Jones shares her thoughts on the state of black in the fashion industry today. She discusses how the lack of ownership of manufacturing companies will always hinder the ability of blacks to be more involved in the industry. Yet, she also realizes that since black consumers spend 20 billion dollars a year on clothing, blacks still make an impact. Jones hopes her legacy reflects her mentorship of up-and-coming black fashion designers and blacks in the fashion industry in general. Veronica Jones lends commentary to the photographs she has provided.

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