Joseph Janus (born March 30, 1969) is the Creative Director for Bodhi bags as well as BJX New York. He is also CEO of Fearless Management in New York City.
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Joseph Janus has over 20 years of experience working in the fashion industry as a creative and design director. He gained early attention in Los Angeles by reviving the JNCO Jean Company, “During his four-year tenure, he said, the company's sales soared to $300 million from $20 million.” [1] Janus worked with an “in-house group of illustrators, clothing designers, graffiti artists and promotion experts that serve as an ad-hoc ad team to ensure the look and feel of advertising will be anything but traditional.” [2] “‘The key to success, he notes, is to make a product that helps kids feel good about themselves.’” [3] The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Brand Week Magazine have all recognized Joseph Janus for his contributions to the field. In 1997, Advertising Age Magazine named him “Marketer of the Year.”
Joseph Janus’ success attracted the attention of Designer Calvin Klein himself, who personally recruited Janus to direct the advertising and marketing department. While at Calvin Klein, Janus launched new brand extensions in fragrance, fashion and accessories including Calvin Klein Jeans, underwear, handbags and CK one.[4]
Using the same market savvy he developed in the fashion industry, Janus created Fearless Management to manage music artists, assemble groups and produce and write music. His first two records were on Madonna’s Maverick Records. Janus went on to sign singer-songwriter and humanitarian Ben Jelen to Linda Perry’s Custard records, connecting him with respected producers who rarely work with new artists.[5] Janus and Jelen collaborated to develop a charity titled “The Ben Jelen Foundation” to help create a greener earth. Collecting donations from Fiji water, Altoids and Café Bustello. Their charitable efforts combined will help fund green initiatives around the globe.
Currently, Joseph Janus channels his considerable experience into creating the luxury handbag line Bodhi, a brand with a timeless yet fashion forward aesthetic. Bodhi bags were immediately picked up by such well-known retailers as Fred Segal, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Bodhi has even spread to established retailers abroad. With the success of the women’s line, Janus expanded the Bodhi brand to include both men’s and travel collections. Bodhi has even produced a limited edition of animal friendly bags, shared at a charity event by the North Shore Animal League America, Beth Ostrosky Stern and the Real Housewives of New York.[6] To broaden his horizons, Janus recently launched a more youthful line of high-end backpacks and messenger bags under the label BJX New York. This new line has already received press by national publications like Spin Magazine.