JILL PILLOT
This is an amazing journey for me, the changes and transformations that have taken place since opening Ricochet in March of 1996. Here is a brief history of these passed, for those who are new to Ricochet.
When I came to America in 1989 I had a dream. I wanted to have my own business and I wanted to be a mom. In March of 1996, I was single and pregnant with my second child. I did not really want to work for anyone, and I wanted to be home with my children. So I went searching for a storefront, thinking I would start a small consignment store. Amazingly, I was driving on El Camino Real and saw this small storefront I thought I could afford, somehow, and to top it off, there was a living space above...what more could I have wished for? I could be a stay-at-home mom and have my own business at the same time!
The next step was finding a name. I turned to the dictionary and, word by word, looked for something that would suit the store perfectly until I reached the letter R, and found Ricochet. Thinking back, I grew up ricocheting from one country to another; the name was perfect.
I thought I would stay here for about five or six years, while the children were small; I could be at home with them and work at the same time. Before I knew it, years had gone by and Ricochet is still standing -- but not without, I would say, changes, growth...and I am loving it.
Throughout the years, I started creating clothes and costumes here and there, and I had really found a passion for it. But, feeling I lacked some technical skills, I decided to go to college full time. Four years later, I received my degree in Costume and Fashion Design and my General Education, while working and being a mom.... Not easy, but fulfilling my dreams, step by step.
Now I have finally created my own line of clothes for children and women, all step by step....
For the last few years I have been working toward my ultimate goal: to provide an open door for students and young professionals to develop their skills for success in today's demanding and oftentimes disheartening fashion industry. Through my Ricochet Wearable Art Academy Internship Program, I foster a collaborative learning environment that helps students grow their ideas while expanding their skill set and building their confidence. The Academy's Internship Program is a personalized learning experience that is open to students of any background or skill set. I understand the cutthroat reality of the fashion industry and aim to be a helping hand for students in their transition to a successful career.
I would like to be an inspiration to others through my designs and my classes, and explore our sense of creativity with the environment in mind.
When I came to America in 1989 I had a dream. I wanted to have my own business and I wanted to be a mom. In March of 1996, I was single and pregnant with my second child. I did not really want to work for anyone, and I wanted to be home with my children. So I went searching for a storefront, thinking I would start a small consignment store. Amazingly, I was driving on El Camino Real and saw this small storefront I thought I could afford, somehow, and to top it off, there was a living space above...what more could I have wished for? I could be a stay-at-home mom and have my own business at the same time!
The next step was finding a name. I turned to the dictionary and, word by word, looked for something that would suit the store perfectly until I reached the letter R, and found Ricochet. Thinking back, I grew up ricocheting from one country to another; the name was perfect.
I thought I would stay here for about five or six years, while the children were small; I could be at home with them and work at the same time. Before I knew it, years had gone by and Ricochet is still standing -- but not without, I would say, changes, growth...and I am loving it.
Throughout the years, I started creating clothes and costumes here and there, and I had really found a passion for it. But, feeling I lacked some technical skills, I decided to go to college full time. Four years later, I received my degree in Costume and Fashion Design and my General Education, while working and being a mom.... Not easy, but fulfilling my dreams, step by step.
Now I have finally created my own line of clothes for children and women, all step by step....
For the last few years I have been working toward my ultimate goal: to provide an open door for students and young professionals to develop their skills for success in today's demanding and oftentimes disheartening fashion industry. Through my Ricochet Wearable Art Academy Internship Program, I foster a collaborative learning environment that helps students grow their ideas while expanding their skill set and building their confidence. The Academy's Internship Program is a personalized learning experience that is open to students of any background or skill set. I understand the cutthroat reality of the fashion industry and aim to be a helping hand for students in their transition to a successful career.
I would like to be an inspiration to others through my designs and my classes, and explore our sense of creativity with the environment in mind.
-Jill Pillot
