Jennifer Tierney is a California native who has lived all over the United States, in part due to her illustrious ballet career. It included seasons spent with the Milwaukee, Sacramento, Oakland, Columbia City, and Madison companies, as well as Owen Cox Dance Group and Concept Zero Contemporary Dance. However, Kansas City is her favorite place to call home because of the overwhelming support in Kansas City for everything KC. “Whether it’s fashion, art, music, or dance, I can find a strong network of motivated and inspired professionals right here,” Tierney says. For more than a decade, she has been the head costuming director/designer for the American Youth Ballet and owner of the American Dance Center. She launched her designer brand, J. Tierney Designs, in 2016 and has shown regularly at Kansas City Fashion Week and the West 18th Street Fashion Show. She’s looking forward to showing in KCFW S/S ’20 and Paris Fashion Week S/S ’21. “The arts are alive and well in Kansas City,” Tierney says. “I believe it’s a truly special place to live and thrive as an artist and entrepreneur.”
Jennifer’s essentials…
Fav Shop: Fashionista Exchange (8777 W. 95th St.) is owned by one of my favorite Kansas Citians, Danielle Nelson. Her shop contains hand-selected consignment pieces that turn heads and get you compliments every time.
Cocktail of Choice: Vodka soda with a lime. The PS in Hotel Phillips, Thursday night, velvet couch, dim lights.
Fall Fashion Trend: The biggest trend I’ve noticed for fall is the use of neon colors, as well as a push towards pleated fabrics—especially in skirts and dresses.
Date Night: The history of blues and jazz is deeply rooted in this city. Sitting at a high-top listening to Tuesday night open jam sessions at the Phoenix keeps that history alive and vibrant.
Shop Local: My home and shop are filled with incredible finds from the antiques and vintage stores in the West Bottoms. You can find me there on any First Friday.
J. Tierney Designs Fall/Winter ’19 Fav Look: My velvet pencil dress with a vegan leather peplum paired with a stretch velvet, fur-trimmed hooded crop. This piece was inspired by ’80s fashion and marketing. It embodies everything I loved about this collection as a whole.