Photoshoot featuring the designs of Josiane Fashion House
Meet Josiane Fashion House —
Josiane Mutangana is the sole creator behind the brand new textile and fashion based business in Westbrook, Maine. Josiane was born in Rwanda, East Africa, and eventually made her way to the United Kingdom for college. While in the UK, she earned multiple degrees: a Bachelors in Management and Economics & a Masters in Business Administration. After graduation, she worked in local Rwanda government for multiple posts over the course of 10 years.
Fast forward to 2019, Josiane moved to the United States because she married a Mainer! Since moving to Maine, she has become a new mother, and found her way to Common Threads of Maine sewing school. She enrolled in the summer of 2021 and learned all the basics of sewing, something she had been yearning to do since she was a child. Josiane wanted to find a job where she could stay home with her new child, and this opportunity allowed her to do just that.
Shortly after graduating, she applied for a fellowship that Common Threads of Maine was offering, intended for someone who wanted to started their own business. Josiane was awarded the fellowship which gave her a weekly stipend, studio, and 24 hour access to all the tools and machines that Common Threads had to offer.
The six month long fellowship has recently ended, and now Josiane is able to work on her business full time. Josiane’s first full line of products includes many hand-sewn outfits, with a specialization in ‘Mommy & Me’, and family outfits. Soon she plans to release a line of smaller hand sewn pieces such as kitchen items, pet & hair accessories.
Learn more at: www.josianefashionhouse.squarespace.com
Why a photoshoot? — Josiane says, “I chose the photographs because one picture equals one thousand words. The images speak alone.”
Content Creator: Michael D. Wilson
Driven almost entirely by curiosity Michael D Wilson wants nothing more than to connect with people and show what it is that makes them unique individuals. Michael is passionate about photography and is forever in search of people that are equally as passionate about their lives and work. He always says “The best part about photography is an excuse to meet new people and learn something from them.” After a half-decade of assisting photographer, Martin Schoeller, Michael and his partner settled in Maine. Maine and New England provide endless opportunities for interesting and inspiring assignments as well as potential personal projects.
2022 Funders:
The 2022 Maine Craft Content Project is generously funded by the Onion Foundation, Maine Arts Commission & many individual donors. With this funding the Maine Crafts Association provided eight Maine craft artists with new online content to support their practices, tell their stories and grow their businesses.
The Maine Crafts Association is a 501(c)(3) which builds upon Maine’s rich craft traditions by nurturing a vibrant, supportive, inclusive craft community with educational programs and resources.
Our ability to accomplish our mission and help artists thrive is reliant on individual contributions.