photo by John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
As a Michigan teenager, Jill Smith discovered a passion for fashion but pursued a science and engineering career instead. Her story is inspiring and surprising because, despite her detour down what appeared to be the path of practicality, her dream prevailed and she has been Vice President of Creative Services for renowned Fleetwood menswear maker Paul Fredrick for many years. Recently, she began another new (newlywed) journey with her husband Bill Purifoy. The pair — with Jill’s children Margo, a Muhlenberg High School senior, and Sam, a freshman at West Chester University — resides in Muhlenberg Township.
Q: Your job is so interesting and unusual for our area.Did you study fashion in college?
Actually, I was an engineering major at Penn State’s main campus for a couple of years, but I found that I love physics, not engineering. I then switched to finance at Albright. I was going to be a stockbroker when I grew up. [laughs] I interned at a bunch of places and worked almost full-time while finishing my degree. I worked as a money manager, but I always loved clothes.
Q: So how did you make the career shift?
To be near fashion I was working in retail, selling clothes at John Wanamaker’s in Berkshire Mall. One day I saw an ad looking for someone with business experience and an interest in fashion. At that time Paul Fredrick was just starting a catalog of just shirts. I was the third person there, and it was amazing to learn the business from that vantage point. I started the creative department from the ground up.
Q: How ironic that your degree in something other than fashion led to a long, successful career in the industry. It must be a fun job.
Yes, I love it. It’s been over 23 years and it’s been a great journey. I work with terrific, very smart people and have been able to experience many of the things I always wanted to, bringing ideas to life and exploring my creativity, developing with the company and helping it succeed. I’ve been able to travel for work, especially to New York for photo shoots but elsewhere too, and when my kids were young I took them along – with my mom’s help – so they’ve grown up in the business.
Q: Is much of the work done in Manhattan? Do you have to go back and forth?
Not as much as in the past, but I’m still there a lot. About eight years ago I started to bring more of the photography in-house, taking it out of the New York ad agency scenario. Then about five to six years ago we made the transition to fully in-house with a 3,600-square-foot studio in Blandon and a staff photographer, Most of the catalog – all but the shots done with New York as a backdrop – is done there now, and the models come down from New York. They love Berks County! They think it’s gorgeous and relaxing.
Q: Other than fashion and family, what gives you joy?
I love swimming and running – and used to do a lot of both, but I’m recently married and my kids are nearly grown, so my life is opening up. I’m rediscovering my time. I moved to this area as a teenager and love it but also love to travel. Most of my family lives down south, so I go there often. I also read as much as possible – I never turn on my TV – and I love games; an evening playing a family game of cards is a good night.
