It’s no secret that “American Idol” can be a kingmaker for musicians hoping for a lucky break.
But that Midas touch has also worked for a struggling Long Island City accessories designer after Randy Jackson wore two of his pieces on the popular television show last season.
Now, Jamie Clawson, 27, who until recently was getting by on ramen noodles four nights a week, is in talks to launch a jewelry line with Jackson.
The line would include the brightly colored, plastic “YO” necklaces and pins that Jackson sported on the show.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” said Clawson, who has been struggling since he launched his business. “Now I’m getting hundreds of emails asking where to find Randy Jackson’s ‘YO’ pin.”
Clawson moved to New York after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in industrial design and landed a full-time gig designing t-shirts for Levi’s and Nike. But he was laid off in late 2010 and had trouble finding another job.
He started the company Valentine Goods, which produces adhesive leather backs for iPhones, iPads and iMacs, in March 2011.
But sales waned, and just as he was about to move back to Ohio last fall, he got a lucky break from NYDesigns, a City University of New York program based at LaGuardia Community College.
NYDesigns, an incubator that helps entrepreneurs specializing in creative industries, set him up with a studio in Long Island City and offered him business assistance.
Clawson, who had assembled, packaged and shipped his products from his girlfriend’s living room, was grateful for the space.
On a whim, he sold the urban accessories line he created in college, KCKNGSCRMNG, on the design website Fab.com.
That’s where his pieces caught Jackson’s eye. Jackson’s stylist reached out to Clawson and asked him to make a few pieces for Jackson to wear on “Idol.”
“It was amazing,” said Clawson, who was struggling to stay afloat while paying off his student loans. “I have about $100,000 in student loan debt.”
Bradford Shellhammer, chief creative officer of Fab.com, said Clawson’s collection was “funny, graphic and in your face.”
“You might even say it’s opinionated, much like Randy Jackson,” he said.
Nepal Asatthawasi, assistant director of NYDesigns, said she hopes Clawson stays in Long Island City as his business grows.
“He deserves all the success that’s come to him and will come to him,” she said. “He’s an extremely hard worker.”
