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Christopher D Jennings, Founder & Creative Director on Notable Men

FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE

Christopher D Jennings

Founder & Creative Director, CDJFASHIONFORWARD

“"FULL STEAM AHEAD".”

BASED IN
Banning, CA 92220
INDUSTRY
Fashion

CONNECT

About

Christopher D. Jennings is the Founder of CDJ Fashion Forward, bringing together his passion for luxury fashion, cannabis, wellness, and business innovation. Before entering the fashion industry, he spent more than 25 years building experience in real estate, business development, and cannabis licensing and cultivation. His diverse entrepreneurial background has shaped his ability to recognize opportunities, develop strategic relationships, and approach business growth with creativity and purpose. Passionate about luxury fashion and premium brand experiences, Jennings established CDJ Fashion Forward to explore the intersection of luxury, innovation, wellness, and social impact. He is particularly interested in responsible cannabis industry development, public health advocacy, and creating meaningful opportunities through entrepreneurship.
In addition to leading CDJ Fashion Forward, Jennings serves as a Maker’s Mark Brand Ambassador, representing the brand's heritage, craftsmanship, and premium consumer experience. He has also been involved with NORML as an International Sales Specialist since 2018 and has experience in security services with Allied Universal. His professional interests include luxury brand development, strategic partnerships, sales, customer engagement, cannabis education, and responsible industry advancement. Although his transition into the fashion industry is relatively recent, he is approaching his second year and has actively invested in expanding his knowledge of luxury branding, retail operations, and customer experience.
Jennings holds a Master Certification in Cannabis Medicine from Cannabis Training University, with training in cannabis cultivation, compliance, dispensary operations, extractions, and medical cannabis applications. He also completed the INSIDE LVMH Certificate Program in Creation & Branding, Operations & Supply Chain, further strengthening his understanding of the luxury industry. Committed to continuous learning, he pursues specialized training, independent education, and self-directed professional development. Beyond his business activities, Jennings volunteers by caring for elderly individuals, reflecting his belief in service and giving back to the community. He defines success as building something meaningful that creates opportunities, inspires others, and leaves a positive legacy.

Key Areas Of Focus

  • 01. Fashion
  • 02. Real Estate
  • 03. Cannabis Licensing and Cultivation
  • 04. Business Development
  • 05. Luxury Fashion

IN HIS OWN WORDS

The Q and A

  1. 01

    What do you attribute your success to?


    "Faith, resilience, and refusing to stop. I've been free since 1999, built 25+ years in real estate, spent eight years inside luxury outlets learning what true luxury means, and now I'm building a brand where luxury meets purpose. My late mother is my inspiration — everything I build honors her."






  2. 02

    What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?


    "Luxury isn't price — it's obsession over detail, story, and standard. Hold the standard when no one's watching, and the rest follows."



  3. 03

    What advice would you give to young men entering your industry?


    "Learn the craft before you chase the spotlight. I spent eight years inside luxury outlets before I built my own brand — that foundation is everything. Know your story, hold your standard, and let your work speak before you do. And never let where you started decide where you finish."






  4. 04

    What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?


    "The challenge is noise — anyone can look like luxury online. The opportunity is proof: traceability, craftsmanship, a real story. Customers are ready for brands that can show their receipts — where the leather's from, who made it, what it stands for. That's the opening, and it's why I built CDJ the way I did."



  5. 05

    What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?


    "Faith, family, and purpose. I build with integrity — luxury with receipts, promises kept — and I measure success by impact, not just income. My late mother taught me what matters; everything I do honors her."



PERSPECTIVES

Perspectives by Christopher D Jennings

Original insights, ideas, and viewpoints shaped by real-world experience.

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The shop is open
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The shop is open

Discover how CDJ Fashion Forward launched a luxury shoe shop with twenty handcrafted Italian styles, built on transparency, tracea…

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Heritage in the Air: What the Roller World Taught Me
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Heritage in the Air: What the Roller World Taught Me

Before I built a luxury brand, I joined a world that has judged birds on merit since before 1600 — the Birmingham Roller fancy. Th…

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Luxury With Receipts, Part Two: What the Receipts Unlocked
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Luxury With Receipts, Part Two: What the Receipts Unlocked

A founder's journey from building luxury foundations to forging meaningful partnerships. Discover how traceable craftsmanship and …

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Luxury With Receipts: How I Built CDJ FASHION FORWARD
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Luxury With Receipts: How I Built CDJ FASHION FORWARD

Christopher D. Jennings shares his journey from eight years in luxury retail to founding CDJ FASHION FORWARD, a handcrafted Italia…

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