
Voyage LA Inspiring Stories Interview
In December, I was featured in Voyage LA's Inspiring Stories series, where I had the chance to share my journey, experiences, and passion for sewing, as well as my love for Los Angeles. I'm happy to share the full interview here.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Henry.
Hi Jane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all began when I noticed how my daughter was experimenting and having fun with makeup. I launched Phem Beauty in October 2023—a line of tools and wearables inspired by play with makeup.
My first product launch was a collection of makeup mixing tray rings, cast right here in downtown Los Angeles. To showcase these rings, I started creating short, concept-driven makeup tutorials designed to inspire new and creative ways to use your cosmetics.
But developing new products demands a significant investment of resources—especially for a small business. High minimum order quantities and costly sampling only add to the challenge.
However, I discovered that I truly enjoyed creating content. And simultaneously, I had a moment—have you ever had an experience that shouts at you, reminding you that life is finite? It was one of those. It made me ask myself: If I’m going to create and share, what kind of value am I offering to others? How can I do this better?
Enter Classic Cool Sewing, a newsletter dedicated to celebrating the art of sewing.
Fashion has always captivated me—its auras of fantasy, the tailored proportions, the little exaggerations and the strong silhouettes. Classic Cool Sewing is where I share my passion for sewing and pattern making, preserving and celebrating the artistry of hand-sewing techniques and pattern drafting. It’s about passing on this invaluable knowledge, just as it was passed down to me.
What about Phem Beauty? There’s plenty of crossover ahead—both in the near and distant future. It’s a process, and it’s a journey I’m excited to share.
Los Angeles has given me so much—countless opportunities, a place to grow, and a vibrant community to call home. Classic Cool Sewing is my way of giving back, sharing my passion while contributing to the creativity that makes this city special. As a mom and part of a growing family, giving back and supporting what we have here is essential to me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to allocate your resources—whether that’s money, energy, or time—especially when your business or creative pursuit is in tandem with your main job or responsibilities as a parent or caregiver. When you pour time into a small business or passion project, it inevitably means taking that time from somewhere else—whether it’s work, family, another creative outlet, exercise, or even just rest. It’s an active decision, and one I find myself checking in on regularly.
Another challenge for me is knowing when to pivot and when to stick it out. As a designer, I tend to rely more on instinct than logic. Whether that’s wise or not is still up for debate, but it’s what feels natural to me—and what I’m most comfortable with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I worked in the fashion industry for over 20 years, with most of my career focused on eveningwear. This journey has taken me all over the world, allowing me to wear many hats and gain a unique perspective on the inner workings of fashion.
It’s this blend of experience and passion that makes Classic Cool Sewing unique. Eveningwear is all about fantasy and inspiration, and I’ve always loved a good party. What I take from that world is a desire to help people find joy, feel inspired, and experience a little escape, a little fantasy. For many, a creative passion like sewing can be just that. Why not be part of designing your own fantasy? Even if you’re new to sewing or pattern drafting, there’s a creative language within the sewing arts that inspires deeper appreciation for the clothes we wear and the stories they tell.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t think about risk as much as I consider, How can I be better? How can I do better? Letting those questions guide me helps reduce the risk, because I’m making decisions based on what I believe is best and what I’ve tried my best to plan for.
Any time you try to change the future there is risk involved. I looked up the opposite of “risk” and found that the Oxford dictionary says it’s “impossibility.” So to me, that means the existence of risk is indicative of you trying to change something.