Jae Jarrell

Jae Jarrell
Born	Elaine Annette Johnson 1935 (age 81–82)
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Bowling Green State University School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Occupation	Clothing designer Artist
Years active	1935- present
Spouse(s)	Wadsworth Jarrell
Children	2

Elaine "Jae" Jarrell (born Elaine Annette Johnson in 1935) is an American artist best known for her fashion designs and her involvement with the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s. Influenced by her grandfather’s work as a tailor, Jarrell learned about fabrics and sewing at a young age. It was learning these skills that set her on her path as an artist, a fashion designer, and a vintage clothing dealer.

In 1968, Jae Jarrell, along with Wadsworth Jarrell, Jeff Donaldson, Barbara Jones-Hogu, and Gerald Williams, founded AfriCOBRA, the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists. As part of their manifesto, Jarrell strived to provide positive representation of the African diaspora. Her goal was to produce garments that inspired pride, power, energy, and respect in African American communities.

Jarrell grew up in the historical neighborhood of Glenville in Cleveland, Ohio. During her childhood, she was inspired by the legacy of her grandfather. His work as a tailor led to her developing knowledge of clothing fabrics, fibers, and weaves. She was also influenced by the success of her uncle’s haberdashery shop, where he sold fabric and sewing tools. His achievements in business made her want open her own store

In addition to the influence of her grandfather and uncle, her mother took her to vintage shops and taught her to respect the craftsmanship that goes into making clothing. This set Jarrell further on her path as an artist. When speaking about this experience with Rose Bouthillier (2015), Jarrell said:

And so I always thought of making clothes in order to have something unique, and later I learned to sew very well and made it my business to always make my garments. And I also have a love for vintage, knowing that it has secrets of the past that I can unfold (p. 64).

Jarrell attended Bowling Green State University before moving to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago During the late 1950s and early 60s, she attended the same art school as Wadsworth Jarrell, a fellow artist who would later become her husband However, the couple didn't meet until 1963 after Jarrell opened her own vintage boutique

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