Jermikko
Jermikko | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 22, 1946 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Fashion designer, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | First African-American female proprietor on Chicago's Magnificent Mile; designs for Chi-Raq, Empire, Beyoncé's "Pray You Catch Me" video |
Jermikko (born July 22, 1946) is a Chicago-based American fashion designer and entrepreneur. She holds the distinction of being the first African-American female proprietor to operate a boutique on Chicago's prestigious Magnificent Mile.
Early life and career
Jermikko Shoshanna Johnson, born in Chicago in 1946, started creating clothing designs during her teenage years. She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1972 before undertaking an apprenticeship with Chicago designer Stanley Korshak. In 1979, she established her own fashion enterprise. Her design work includes contributions to Spike Lee's 2015 movie Chi-Raq as well as the television series Empire. In 2016, one of her hoodie designs was showcased in Beyonce's music video for "Pray You Catch Me". Jermikko currently holds the positions of Executive Director of Design and CEO for both the Jermikko and JJ Hobeau brands.
Awards and honors
- Apparel Industry Board's Designer of the Year Award, 1997
- Manufacturer of the Millennium Award, 1999