Jose Sime shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jose, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Perhaps the most honest answer is that I’m doing a bit of both. Our Lost Boy capsule was born from the idea that wandering isn’t aimless; it’s the necessary journey you take to discover who you are. The collection uses distressed leathers, layered knits and wolf‑inspired details to evoke a lone wanderer moving through forests and memories. That story mirrors my own path with JSIME™. I began the brand without a rigid roadmap, guided more by instinct and curiosity than by a predetermined destination. There have been moments of feeling lost, but those detours have led to the most meaningful insights. Walking a defined path provides direction, but wandering offers discovery. JSIME™ invites people to embrace that tension; allow yourself to stray from the pack, explore the wilderness within, and in doing so, carve out a path that’s uniquely yours.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jose Sime, a Miami‑based designer and the founder of JSIME COLLECTIVE. Growing up in Miami exposed me to a unique mix of street culture, high fashion and a constant reinvention of identity; those influences shaped who I am and how I design. I created JSIME™ as a way to merge luxury craftsmanship with the raw authenticity of streetwear and to explore themes that matter to me, self‑discovery, nostalgia and the tension between vulnerability and strength. The brand embodies a minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic, rooted in dark colour palettes and elevated textiles. Instead of chasing trends or seasonal calendars, we release tightly curated capsule collections, such as Lost Boy, My Dark Renaissance and Palm Trees & Broken Hearts, each telling a distinct story. Whether it’s the primal self‑discovery of Lost Boy, the romantic nostalgia of My Dark Renaissance, or the honest portrait of Miami in Palm Trees & Broken Hearts, every JSIME™ collection invites the wearer to peel back layers of themselves. We prioritize quality over quantity, produce ethically, and view clothing as a medium for personal expression.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before expectations and job titles entered the equation, I was simply a curious kid trying to make sense of the world through creativity. I grew up sketching on notebook covers, cutting up old T‑shirts to make something new and wandering Miami’s neighborhoods absorbing colour, music and architecture. There was no roadmap, I followed what intrigued me, whether it was the raw energy of a live concert, the minimalist beauty of a Bauhaus building or the symbolism of wolves in mythology. That uninhibited exploration shaped my eye for texture, mood and storytelling. As I moved into adulthood, there was pressure to fit into existing molds, to design for existing brands, follow seasonal calendars and create what sells. JSIME™ is my way of reclaiming that original self. The Lost Boy capsule in particular is a tribute to that younger version of me: a lone wanderer in search of authenticity, unbound by expectations. It’s a reminder that the most powerful work comes from honouring who you were before the world told you who to be.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has a way of stripping away the superficial and showing you what really matters. Early in my career there were setbacks, collections that didn’t sell, supply‑chain issues that wiped out margins, personal challenges that made me question whether to keep going. Those moments forced me to sit with discomfort and confront who I was when the applause stopped. They taught me resilience and empathy in a way that success never could.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One of the quiet truths guiding my life is that authenticity matters more than acceptance. Growing up and later working in fashion, I often felt pressure to fit into expectations or trends, yet the work that resonates most is always the most honest. I also believe that darkness and light exist together in all of us; acknowledging both can be a source of strength rather than something to hide. Another foundation is patience. Lasting quality takes time and intention. In a world that celebrates instant results, it is easy to forget that real craft and personal growth happen slowly. These convictions rarely surface in conversation because they are more of a compass than a slogan, but they shape every decision I make and every piece we release through JSIME.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had a decade left, I would immediately stop doing anything that feels obligatory rather than meaningful. That would mean letting go of the instinct to chase trends or compare my work to others and focusing entirely on creating pieces that resonate with my own voice and with the people who truly connect to them. I would stop saying yes to projects or obligations that drain my energy just to please someone else. I would also stop delaying the experiences that inspire me, travelling, collaborating with artists I admire, spending long afternoons sketching or walking through Miami without a plan. Ultimately it comes down to valuing depth over breadth. Time becomes the most precious resource, so I would devote it to my loved ones and to crafting stories through JSIME that leave a lasting imprint rather than just adding to the noise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jsimecollective.com
- Instagram: @jsimecollective.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josesime
Image Credits
@byveronicaphotography @antofalduti_
