by Mike Hays
Since she was a teenager, Judy DePalma has been passionate about designing and sewing. Her business, JADEPALM, makes unique clothing for young girls.
Judy has quite a history in designing and making clothes. She created performing attire for Conway Twitty, Scarlet Rivera and others in Nashville in the ’70s. While living in Little Italy in the ’80s she was a sample-maker for Vera Wang and Anna Sui. She ran her own sample-making business and worked on wardrobe crews in the Theater District. Throughout her career, she has made women’s party dresses, infant play wear, embellished denim jackets and handbags from jeans.
Nyack has everything you want in a community,” she says. Her clothing line was recently on display at the Nyack Farmers’ Market. The eye-popping colors of her clothing are a perfect blend of green couture and handwork. She uses vintage tablecloths, curtains, and new-but-old-fashioned prints. Each one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-reproduced dress is hand-made in Nyack.
DeP
alma’s dresses are made in three sizes, for ages 1-6, and they look perfect for playtime, as party attire, or for flower girl performance. They pair well with t-shirts, leggings, and vests. She also designs and makes a line of matching bonnets.
She shows her work early in the season at the Nyack and Palisades Farmers’ markets. Her work may be seen online at JadePalm.com and by private appointment.
Michael Hays is a 30-year resident of the Nyacks. He grew up the son of a professor and nurse in Champaign, Illinois. He has recently retired from a long career in educational publishing with Prentice-Hall and McGraw-Hill. He is an avid cyclist, amateur historian and photographer, gardener, and dog walker. 
He has enjoyed more years than he cares to count with his beautiful companion, Bernie Richey.
Nyack People & Places features photos and profiles of citizens and scenes near Nyack, NY. Sponsored by Weld Realty.
Photo Credit: Mike Hays
