5 Questions with Jessica Cadmus, The Founder of Rogue Paq - A Design-Forward Brand of Cannabis Carriers, Tools, and Accessories
Rogue Paq was founded by NY wardrobe stylist and Goldman Sachs alumna, Jessica Cadmus (AKA the Wardrobe Whisperer), who thinks non-stop about how people present themselves. Her style advice and commentary has been featured on CBS This Morning, Bloomberg TV, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, The Atlantic and many more. We interviewed her about her brand, the cannabis industry and what is next for her.
HH: How did Rogue Paq come into existence, and what sparked your journey in the cannabis industry?
I’ve been a wardrobe stylist for 17 years which has taken me into the closets and bureaus of many, many folks. What I noticed is that these otherwise extremely sophisticated individuals were housing their stashes in some really unsophisticated vessels (think shoe boxes, old toiletry bags, Ziplocs). As more and more states became legal I remember trying to source a chic way for my clients to store and travel with their cannabis and I found nothing acceptable. That’s when I decided to design the Ritual Case- and Rogue Paq was born.
HH: How has your background in fashion and finance shaped the design philosophy of Rogue Paq, and what key elements do you think are vital for creating successful cannabis accessories?
It was very important to me, as a stylist, to have access to a chic and highly functional vessel, specifically designed for carrying cannabis. I wanted something that would match the highly cultivated aesthetic of my clients yet function seamlessly for all the tiny tools necessary for cannabis consumption. That’s why I designed the Ritual Case are selected premium materials - lambskin and suede with gold hardware. The case looks understated, yet elevated. From there I just kept designing products which I felt uplifted the aesthetic of the cannabis ritual - hence Rogue Paq’s tagline: Raise Your Ritual. It was also important to me to retain some of the weirdness inherent in cannabis culture, and so while I always strive for best quality for all products, I wanted some of the designs to be extra cheeky. The SendNudes collection is a great example of this. It’s fun and irreverent and sexy. Same goes for the Thank You for Pot Smoking Collection - these pieces are designed for beauty and function but also to make the user giggle. To answer your second question -key elements for creating successful cannabis accessories are good design, great quality, and a specific and unique point of view.
HH: What’s the most surprising feedback you've received from customers about your products, and how has it shaped future designs or offerings? OR What role does community play in Rogue Paq's mission, and could you share some of your favorite past or upcoming collaborations?
It’s been important to us from the beginning to know we are part of something larger which is why we created our Rogue Paq Gives Back program. We are especially sensitive to the fact that the cannabis industry continues to grow and flourish while many suffer in prison for non-violent cannabis-related crimes. We also understand how the Black community is disproportionately and adversely affected. We created a Black Lives Matter Bundle where 100% of the proceeds are donated to organizations like Last Prisoner Project and National Bailout. Additionally, it’s important to us to protect our vulnerable youth and so the proceeds of our Bootyful Bundle are donated to organizations like Trevor Project and National Action Alliance.
We are also sensitive to how our actions as an e-business affect the environment and so we, in conjunction with other businesses, have a climate commitment which has removed thousands of tons of carbon from the atmosphere and has provided carbon-neutral shipping on more than ten million collective orders.
HH: How do you think personal style and cannabis consumption intersect in today’s culture?
As a stylist I believe that everything you wear/carry and fill your home with reflects your taste and sensibilities and, therefore, who you are. The more that cannabis is legalized and destigmatized, the more people are comfortable carrying and displaying their cannabis rituals. For instance, in my home I have a canna-bar which is an open display of the tools and implements I use on the regular. It’s not dissimilar from a traditional bar but mine includes items like Poppy (no surprise!!), my Ritual Case, candles, rolling papers and tray, and an assortment of Rogue Paq lighters and matches.
HH: What guidance would you offer to those looking to break into the cannabis industry?
The best advice I can give is to show up and be consistent. There are a lot of obstacles to working in an industry that is not federally legal. Everything you do feels like you are swimming upstream. However, take heart, because if it was easy, everyone would already be doing it.