Janis Joplin Inspired “Made for Pearl” Clothing Line Launches

Janis Joplin inspired Lace Romper from “Made for Pearl.”

The Janis Joplin inspired clothing line, “Made for Pearl“, is now available for sale online. Although the line doesn’t yet feature any of Janis’ trademark Colin Rose mini-dresses and tunics (my personal Joplin favorites), it is heavy of the 60’s psychedelic flower power vibe.  The singer’s oversized round sunglasses, fringed bag and bangles have been replicated .   There are also plenty of bell bottom-flared pants in this collection.  It’s ironic that Joplin, who felt she was not beautiful or glamorous, has now inspired a line of fashions.  Linda McCartney told the story about trying to get Janis to pose for a  photos to run in Mademoiselle magazine. “When I was asked by Mademoiselle to take a picture of Big Brother & the Holding Co. together with a model, Janis wouldn’t do it, ” said Linda. ” She didn’t want to be photographed beside a model because she thought it would accentuate her plainness.”  Oh how her karma has come round.  I do think Janis is smiling from heaven about the karmic twist of “Made for Pearl.”

Janis alongside the Made for Pearl flared pants

I think Janis would also be pleased to know that every item featured in the collection is  made in the U.S.A.   Although Janis once posed for Vogue magazine, in her lifetime she felt that stores like Bergdorf Goodman didn’t want to wait on her or help her select fashions.  She even asked for Southern Comfort to “gift her” with a fur coat and hat to save her the pain of shopping for one  and perhaps being treated badly.

Is the current fashion line a bit over the top for today’s woman? Well maybe.  But Janis’ style was not exactly subtle. “Janis once said, ‘You feel all things at once, so why not wear all things at once,’” her younger brother Michael Joplin recalls. “Today, fashion magazines call her the mother of modern boho chic. I imagine she’d get a real kick out of that.”

“Her free-spirited attitude is the common thread that holds the collection together,” explains her niece Malyn Joplin, who is developing the line with leading design maven Katie Kay Mead. She adds: “What’s great about Made for Pearl is that wearing it makes it easy to unleash your inner-Janis.

The current collection features hand-beaded pants; rompers in either white lace or purple paisley; sleeveless stretch silk dresses; and stretch velvet flare pants. New items will be added to the collection each spring and fall.  The current collection favors one piece jumpsuits or “rompers” although Janis actually wore more separates, at least in photos I have seen.   I would say most of Janis’ original fashions are better looking and more sophisticated in style than the “Made for Pear” l “replicas.”

Pricing for the collection is not inexpensive.  The Joplin pants are $395.00.  The romper is $672.00.  The sessions layered necklace (Made in Los Angeles) is $1,296.00.   A bangle is $96.00.   I’ll be interested to see if  Made for Pearl sells at these prices.  I’ll be watching this line for reductions.