S9 Ep32 JRAT: artist and designer, Janelle Abbott - on growing up in her parents' Seattle clothing factory, and choosing a zero-waste path into fashion design.

S9 Ep32 JRAT: artist and designer, Janelle Abbott - on growing up in her parents' Seattle clothing factory, and choosing a zero-waste path into fashion design.

Author: Emily Stochl October 20, 2025 Duration: 1:02:15

On today's show, we're chatting with Janelle Abbott, the artist and designer behind JRAT. Raised in her parents' Seattle clothing factory, Janelle grew up with an early respect for the labor that goes into making clothing. 

After graduating from Parsons, she rejected corporate fashion, choosing a radically sustainable, zero-waste path. 

Through her brand JRAT, she transforms discarded and found materials into one-of a-kind garments – her work merges activism, art, and performance—as she exposes fast fashion's farce through garment reclamation, reminding us that all garments are human artifacts.

In this conversation, we're diving into Janelle's journey from growing up surrounded by sewing machines to her own craft in zero-waste design. We'll talk about how her design education shaped her view of the fashion industry, her creative process for sourcing and transforming discarded textiles, and what it really means to practice zero-waste pattern making.

Plus, Janelle shares stories about her favorite finds, and why she wants people to be in love with clothes that already exist.

Plus so much more. Let's dive right in!

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [2:06] Janelle loved fashion from a young age, growing up in her parents' Seattle clothing factory.
  • [8:14] How thrifting with her mom at St. Vincent de Paul became their bonding time
  • [10:08] Learning to sew at age seven and the freedom to experiment with reworking clothes
  • [12:31] Why she decided to pursue fashion at Parsons despite knowing firsthand how hard the industry is
  • [18:34] Learning zero-waste pattern drafting 
  • [24:04] Taking a seven-year detour to avoid monetizing her creative work
  • [28:15] Her creative process for sourcing and transforming discarded textiles
  • [33:23] Her special upcycling techniques
  • [39:45] JRAT's latest NYFW show, Pretty Ugly Princess, inspired by the 1990s board game
  • [53:09] Personal style, and the pieces that make it into her own closet. 

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

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SPECIAL THANKS: 

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Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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