Jennifer Shinners combines sustainability with personalization at her new J. Hilburn Style Studio in Edina, promoting a trend towards eco-friendly and tailored menswear.
A new trend in the fashion industry is emerging in Edina as local stylist Jennifer Shinners combines sustainability with personalization at her J. Hilburn Style Studio. Opened in August 2023, this studio is situated at the bustling 50th and France intersection and marks the 12th location in the United States for the custom menswear brand.
In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, Edina Magazine is spotlighting sustainable businesses, with J. Hilburn as a key player in this initiative. Shinners, who has spent 16 years as a stylist with J. Hilburn, emphasizes that sustainability and personal style are integral to her work. “We are 100 percent sustainable. We make the item for the one man, and that’s it. We’re not making hundreds and then throwing them away when they don’t sell,” she explained to Edina Magazine.
The ethos of J. Hilburn revolves around “slow fashion,” which focuses on creating made-to-measure garments that account for individual preferences and measurements. The extensive product range includes quarter-zips, hoodies, joggers, golf apparel, cashmere topcoats, suits, tuxedos, and vegan leather bombers, among others.
Shinners highlights the commitment to ethical practices by partnering with suppliers and manufacturers recognized for their sustainability efforts. Clients can expect clothing constructed from premium fabrics sourced from esteemed Italian mills such as Loro Piana and Zegna, along with adherence to environmentally friendly practices in factories located in Vietnam and Hong Kong. These facilities aim for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and are LEED-certified, indicating a commitment to sustainable building practices.
Furthermore, Shinners speaks to the transformative power of custom clothing in enhancing the confidence of her clients. She noted that many men have historically settled for off-the-rack options that often fail to fit properly. Issues arise for athletes or individuals with unique body types who typically need larger sizes for certain parts of their bodies, leading them to rely on belts for a better fit. “Clothes that fit are extremely important. And guys are beginning to realize that. That’s why there’s a big push toward custom,” she remarked.
The experience at the J. Hilburn Style Studio is personalized, with Shinners collaborating closely with clients to develop trust and understanding of their specific requirements. She offers both in-person measurements using traditional tape measures and options for virtual measurements via an app. Orders generally take between two and four weeks to complete, involving a fitting process to ensure satisfaction. “I want to make sure it’s perfect because I want it to be his go-to piece,” Shinners emphasized.
Affordability is also a distinguishing feature of J. Hilburn’s approach. By eliminating the overhead associated with traditional retail, the studio can provide high-quality, custom garments at competitive prices. “A jacket here might cost $800, but a similar one could retail for twice that off the rack elsewhere,” she explained, pointing out the misconception surrounding the cost of custom clothing. Shinners expresses her enthusiasm for her work: “I love helping guys look great. I want their clothing to be a solution, not a hassle.”
In the coming month, Edina Magazine plans to feature another innovative business that focuses on eco-friendly celebrations, continuing the theme of sustainability within the local community. The J. Hilburn Stylist Studio can be found at 5047 France Ave. S. and is reachable at 952.451.0988.
Source: Noah Wire Services
