The Face Behind Mazel
Joyce Mazel Willis, born in Baltimore, MD on August 10, 1939. In the early 1960’s, Joyce worked at Lord Baltimore Laundry assisting her mother. Witnessing her mother service the customers, young Joyce served as her apprentice, gleaning from her wisdom, expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail. It was during this time that Joyce acquired a greater knowledge and fond appreciation for all things fashion related. Despite being very conservative, Joyce gravitated to the finer things in life. Joyce is the maternal grandmother of Michael Palmer, Jr.; her influence and presence are the inspiration behind the “Mazel” brand.
“Mazel” “is my grandmother’s middle name. It represents familial honor and respect; it also serves as my personal declaration of victory and success,” said designer Michael Palmer, Jr.
The Designer.
Michael Palmer Jr. born in Baltimore, MD (December 28, 1989). His love for fashion began in his early years of high school. He was always fascinated with garments that resembled sculptures and paintings. Soon after realizing how much he adored fashion, Michael decided to pursue fashion design as a career.
Upon graduating high school in 2007, he began looking for jobs in the retail field. Shortly thereafter, he decided to attend The Community College of Baltimore County, where he majored in Fine Arts. His first retail job was Khohl’s Department Store, as a shoe sale associate in 2008. There, Michael learned the basic operations of retail. In 2010, he transferred to Macy’s as a sales associate where he later became a specialist for Ralph Lauren.
Upon graduating from CCBC in 2013, he shortly landed the opportunity to study and further his education at The Art Institute of Philadelphia; where he majored in Fashion Design; and later graduated with a Bachelor Degree in 2016. While studying at The Art Institute Michael had the opportunity to interim with Anna Sui (2015), Wes Gordon ( Spring, 2016), & Oscar de la Renta (Summer, 2016).
Courtesy of: @chipdizard