Haley Emerson’s calling for fashion was evident early. From sketching vibrant dresses to crafting her own fashion magazines and sewing, her childhood pursuits pointed to her future in design. After graduating with a BFA in fashion design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, she honed her skills working for fashion houses in London and New York City.
While she grew up in Detroit, Emerson now calls Scottsdale home. She lives here with her husband, daughter, and two fluffy doodles.
Driven by her belief in unapologetic self-expression, her namesake brand, Haley J., empowers women to embrace their own individuality. She brought this vision to life in 2025 by launching her luxury designer label, offering bold styles for women and children.
We sat down with Emerson to speak about fashion, her label, and living in Scottsdale.
Congratulations on the launch of Haley J.! What does this moment mean to you personally and professionally?
Seeing Haley J. go from a concept in my mind to a tangible brand that people can wear is profoundly emotional. For me, it’s more than just a brand, it’s a piece of who I am, with my heart and soul woven into every single stitch.
Your brand is rooted in bold color, confidence, and craftsmanship. What inspired that vision?
My personal style has always been centered on bold colors—it's simply part of who I am. I believe colors are a powerful way to express emotion, and at Haley J., every color choice is intentional. Our main goal is to design clothes that help you exude confidence.
My standard for craftsmanship is simple: if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right. This means settling for nothing less than the highest quality.
You’ve worked with some iconic fashion houses—from couture in London to contemporary fashion in New York. How did those experiences shape the designer you are today?
I am so thankful for my experiences working in luxury fashion. It taught me so much about the industry and gave me the skills and the confidence to launch my own brand. While a lot of positives, it also showed me how I wanted to do things differently. At Haley J., we are always about people first, choosing love, kindness, and respect in every opportunity.
What was it like creating garments for celebrities under Emilio de la Morena? Any stories that still stick with you?
After college, I moved to London and then started working for Emilio. It was an invaluable experience that taught me how to navigate the fashion industry, what it takes to run a brand, and significantly advanced my patternmaking skills. I was working there when COVID hit, navigating life in a new country and how the professional fashion world completely changed was a profound learning experience.
You design for both women and children. What made you want to create for both?
My mentors have always told me my aesthetic would be perfect for childrenswear, and that idea has always stuck with me. But the real decision came after I had my daughter—of course, I wanted to match with her! It was a very natural direction for my brand.
You’ve chosen to produce everything in the U.S.—why was that important to you?
Our top commitment at Haley J. is quality of craftsmanship. By producing all garments in New York City and all footwear in Los Angeles, I have a hands-on relationship with the entire production process. I can regularly visit the factories, talk to pattern-makers and sewers, and make real-time adjustments to ensure every detail is perfection. Additionally, by choosing to manufacture domestically, we are supporting American manufacturing. It’s more than just my brand, it is about supporting local businesses.
The upcoming ready-to-wear expansion sounds exciting. What can you tease about what’s coming next for Haley J.?
This fall, Haley J. is having pop up shops across the country, offering customers the chance to experience the collection in person. We will also be launching several new styles this fall and winter that I am very excited about!
Favorite piece you’ve ever designed?
Without a doubt, the Pink Party Top and the matching Pink Party Pant. This look is the DNA of my personal style and the heart of the Haley J. brand. It is a statement of unapologetic self-expression and truly captures our mission.
What’s a fashion rule you love to break—or think we all should?
I’ve never been a follower of trends. I don’t worry about what’s popular, I just wear what brings me joy. To me, fashion should always be about powerful self-expression, regardless of what is trending.
If you could raid anyone’s closet, past or present, whose would it be?
Without a doubt, it would be the late fashion icon Iris Apfel. She was the very definition of a rule-breaker, fearlessly confident and unafraid to challenge the norms of fashion.
How long have you lived in Scottsdale and what keeps you rooted here, rather than living in a fashion capital such as, say, New York or Paris?
I absolutely loved living in London and New York. While the opportunities were incredible, when it came time to start a family, I realized I wanted to find a balance—a place that still had hustle and bustle, but also offered a slower pace of life for my family.
I'm a relatively new resident of Scottsdale! The move was a strategic choice for my brand, and I’m excited to join and contribute to the growing fashion community here.
When you're not designing, where might we find you unwinding or recharging in Arizona?
You can find me at home hanging out with my husband and daughter, at my favorite local coffee shop (Light Heart), exploring the Phoenix Art Museum, and trying local restaurants.
Finally, when you look five years ahead, what do you dream of Haley J. becoming?
Haley J. isn't just about fashion—it's a lifestyle. While I have big plans to expand our product assortment, my main goal in five years will be to continue dressing women in colorful, feminine silhouettes that make them feel powerful, beautiful, and confident.
"At Haley J., we are always about people first, choosing love, kindness, and respect in every opportunity."
"I'm a relatively new resident of Scottsdale! The move was a strategic choice for my brand, and I’m excited to join and contribute to the growing fashion community here."