TALENT... a lover of beauty

Jolene Streiff, the inspiration behind Designing Life, studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and began her career in design working in New York City for fashion icon Mary McFadden. Jolene’s cultivated eye and creative flair helped establish her as an apparel designer, textile designer, wardrobe stylist, and pattern-maker in the couture and prêt-à-porter markets on 7th Avenue, in SoHo, and for Henri Bendel. Eventually she launched her own line of unique accessories that were offered at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Talbots Kids, and East Coast boutiques.

As the accessory business thrived, so did Jolene's interest in other industries within the fashion world. Melding together the elements of design with her talents, experience, and ability to connect with clients and industry professionals, she began to create accessories for the home and to redesign private and commercial interior spaces. She also began to use her superb organizational skills to design and plan major events in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. These distinctive projects, as well as her line of accessories, have been featured in the New York Times Magazine, St. Louis Bridal Magazine, The Bergen Record and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers, St. Louis Bride and Groom Magazine, Nordstrom advertisements, and the Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby social circle.

Now, Jolene’s 35 years in the fashion industry combined with the experience from her own family have brought forth a new vision: Designing Life – design services that bring beauty to life.