Calvin James was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. The youngest of two, some of CJ’s earliest childhood memories involve watching his mother, an artist and architect, make dresses for family and friends. From that moment forward CJ made the decision to pursue art through fashion.

By the time he reached high school, CJ had competed in and won a hand full of art competitions. While in high school he began his first art and design business out of his bedroom, customizing and hand painting sneakers. He developed a substantial amount of clientele in the Atlanta area and continued with his small business until graduating from high school in 2003. This first entrepreneurial experience helped him to make the decision to follow his dreams.

In 2007, CJ graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor of sciences in Business Administration and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. During his senior year of college he visited New York City as part of a class trip for his fashion-marketing course. It was this trip that inspired him to take his interest in fashion to the next level.

Shortly after that trip CJ applied to and was accepted into Parsons The New School’s Fashion Studies 2-year program. While attending Parsons, he increased his knowledge of the fashion industry and worked to perfect his skills in art and design. In addition, he interned for top fashion companies, Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein. In 2009, CJ completed Parsons and debuted his final collection as part of the school’s annual and very selective Line Debut.

Since completing Parsons, CJ has worked as assistant designer and production coordinator for several small companies in New York City. In 2010 he entered into and was named a finalist in the Swarovski Handbag Competition.

In 2011 CJ relocated to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Currently he is working on developing his first full collection.

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