Jakob Meighen didn’t take the typical path into technical apparel design. Before Florence, he spent five years as a California State Park lifeguard. Now 25, Jakob brings that real-world sensibility into his work as our in-house apparel designer shaped through his education at Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design program.
Raised in Half Moon Bay, California, he grew up with rare access to both the ocean and the mountains. That balance between saltwater and granite shaped the way he sees the world—and the way he designs for it. The outdoors wasn’t a weekend activity for him; it was a constant backdrop. Being outside became a way to reset, to stay grounded, and to reconnect with the kind of curiosity that fuels his creativity.
“Having access to both really shaped who I am and how I see the world. Being outside has always been my reset button and a reminder of how wild and beautiful this planet is.”
Whether designing technical garments or planning his next backpacking trip, Jakob’s approach is rooted in curiosity, functionality, and the belief that gear should always serve the experience—not the other way around.
A Day In The Life
Since joining Florence a year and a half ago, Jakob’s been at the center of our product creation process. His days are fast-moving and hands-on, toggling between sketching ideas, refining fits, sourcing technical fabrics, and building out full seasonal collections.
But what drives him isn’t just the act of designing gear—it’s making sure that gear works when it’s tested in the real world. He thinks constantly about movement, climate, durability, and how all those elements combine into a garment that performs with purpose.
“It’s super hands-on, always moving, and no two days ever really look the same,” he says. “One day I’m working through a silhouette, the next I’m diving deep into fabric development. I get to see it all.”
Jakob thrives in the hands-on nature of the role. He’s constantly asking how something moves, how it breathes, and how it holds up under pressure. The Florence team is small and tight-knit, allowing him to be pulled into parts of the process that most designers never touch.
Building Fast
From the outside, FLORENCE might feel like a big brand. But inside, it’s more like a creative sprint team. For Jakob, that’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the job. He’s constantly pushed to step out of his comfort zone and into new terrain.
“Honestly, how small the team is—that surprised me,” he says. “You’re constantly stepping outside your lane and learning every part of the process—design, development, production, even marketing. It’s pushed me way out of my comfort zone in the best way.”
It’s also made the wins feel more personal. Every product that hits the line carries fingerprints from every corner of the team. When something works, it’s a shared success.
Getting Out There
Outside the studio, Jakob still moves through the world the way he always has: with a backpack on, looking for the next ridgeline. The natural world remains his anchor, a place that reminds him to slow down and stay open to wonder. It’s also where he goes to test gear and reset his perspective.
“My goal is to stay rooted in a creative field where work feels like play,” he says. “I feel lucky that Florence gives me that, and I want to keep building on this special opportunity we have here.”
Right now, one of his personal goals is to backpack the full John Muir Trail. It’s the kind of goal that requires preparation and patience, but it mirrors the same mindset he brings to his design work: explore deeply, build thoughtfully, and enjoy the process.
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