Meet Jill Focke | Touring Wardrobe Supervisor and Owner of J Ellen Designs

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Focke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, why did you pursue a creative career?
I always loved sewing. I have 2 younger sisters, and my mom used to make all of our clothes. I realized at a young age, If I, too, knew how to sew, I would get more stuff! I started sewing my own clothes at age 8, and just kept going. In high school, I designed the costumes for the musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie”. I had not realized that my skill would then lead to my chosen career of theatrical costuming. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Technical Theater, with and emphasis in costume design. From there, I worked as costume shop foreman for Ringling Brothers Circus’ Clown College, cutter/draper for the Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Resident Designer for the Houston Grand Opera. While at the Opera, I met the designer for Bette Midler, and he stole me away to do her 1993 tour. Since then, I have concentrated mostly on touring shows, working for many various artists, including Stevie Nicks, Rihanna, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Miley Cyrus, The Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, and many more. I was lucky to combine my sewing skills and love of theater to aid in the successful outcome of all of these tours. When at home, I continued my creative outlet and designed a line of clothing for women. J Ellen Designs combines my love of fabrics with simple, affordable couture fashions. I have bought fabric from around the world on my travels, then have been able to transform them into fun, wearable designs.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Everyone thinks touring is exciting and glamorous. It is not easy. Sometimes you do 6 shows in a row, in different cities. Which means you get up, work all day, do the show, load out, then travel in the bus to another show first thing in the morning. lack of sleep, lack of privacy, short tempers, sub-standard venues, all contribute to this “glamorous” life! But, when I hear the roar of the crowd when the lights go down, and realize that I have contributed my skills to making that show the best I can, I am immensely proud to be working in this industry. It has taken me around the world many times, and I have gotten to see parts of it that others have only wished to see. For that I am grateful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to see a show at the Wortham or Hobby Center, Dinner- AKA sushi house.

(Sorry, but as I am rarely home for long, I tend to stay at home, where my husband, who is a professional chef, makes some wonderful meals. He spoils me when I come home, getting in some decadent wines, and has even had shipped in scallops from Maine. I guess they could hang out at my house!)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a few! First, my mom, for letting me try sewing to begin with, and encouraging me to never give up, even when something I made didn’t turn out quite the way I planned it to look!
Peter Horne, the technical director of the Houston Grand Opera at the time, for supporting me and educating me on the ins and outs of Theatrical costuming on the highest level.
Bob de Mora, the designer who believed that I could tour with the highest level of performers, having never done so before.

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