Jessica Kennedy Dutkiewicz
Born Jan 26, 1976 in a small, poor farm town called Dover, Florida. The population consists mostly of farmers and migrant workers. I was a Tomboy that loved fashion and learned to love diverse cultures at a young age. I was always wearing unique things and putting together random textures. Growing up in a family of alcohol abuse and bullied at school, being creative was my way out of it. At age 12 I started modeling and gaining the confidence I needed to find a way out of all the bullying. At 18 I started my dream job at The Masquerades in Tampa’s Ybor city. Dancing in the air on podiums to 80’s music while creating my own costumes. It was there I got noticed for my outfits and was given the chance to hold my first fashion show for Gasperilla. I learned to use my bartending and modeling platform to open doors for me in my career. I went on to start my own clothing line called “Jess K clothing” at the age of 18. Making one-of-a-kind clothing, custom costumes, swimwear and more.
1998 is where I got my big break designing the Slim Jim Ad outfits for Macho Man and Gorgeous George. In 2001 I opened my first store after becoming the first Designer/Hooters girl to make all the swimwear as well as model in the 2001 calendar. By 2002 I started my own manufacturing company and opened up my first warehouse. By 2005 my designs were seen everywhere from Hooters, Macho Man, Dennis Rodman, Robin Fox, Wing House Calendars, Born to ride, Florida Tattoo conventions, Las Vegas Trade shows and numerous other high visibility celebrities and trade events. I had changed the Halloween Industry, the bikini industry, the clubwear industry and several others with my new upcoming looks. I had become the most sought after and copied designer at The International Lingerie Convention, in Las Vegas.
I was at the height of my young career when I started having unusual aches and pains that Doctors could not explain. Bounced around from doctor to doctor I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at first until a few years later I went to a chiropractor and woke up paralyzed in my right leg. After emergency back surgery and years of debilitating symptoms I was forced to sell Jess K clothing for pennies on the dollar and close the doors to everything I had built. My journey was just beginning with the medical world. After numerous treatments, and Mis-treatments, with no one believing I was suffering in such pain by the age of 38, I just wanted to end my life. I was forced to live off pain medications that were barely helping the pain. My life became unbearable between pain, no one believing me and the memories of all I had to suddenly let go off in my business.
By 35 years old I was disabled for life, put in wheelchairs, walkers and my everyday of the week was a different Doctor with no end in sight. I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos, Fibromyalgia, Failed back surgery syndrome, Neuropathy, Radiculitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Permanent nerve damage, IBS and PTSD. The pain was increasing and spreading so I was in constant search of new treatments.
In 2018 Herbal medications passed in Florida and I couldn’t wait to see if it would work for me. Within 3 months I was still in pain but it was now tolerable and my mind was feeling better. I was able to get energy to start walking outside. I started dancing again, and within 3 months rehabbed my leg myself using dance and lost 50 lbs I gained from being sedentary. The Herbal medication was not curing me, but the combination of pain medications and Herbal medications was giving me life back. Coming from a straightedge background, this was hard to accept at first.
Finally, a female Doctor recognized I had been underdiagnosed and I had CRPS/RSD as well. A rare condition that can occur from any injury big or small. Herbal medications helped me reduce the amount medication I took daily and get some quality of life back. At 42 I found the love of my life and was introduced to the world of Motorcycle riding. Where I found my next love My own Indian Motorcycle. I taught myself to ride on a bet I had with my husband and I never looked back. Riding has helped me deal with the trauma of everything and given me a new direction in life.
My new career and goal is to bring light to all the people that suffer with CRPS/RSD and those having rare chronic pain issues. Through the RSDS.org foundation I was able to find fellow suffers of this illness and found my platform.
“THE SHOW OF FORCE”, is where I have merged my love of design, storytelling, fashion, motorcycles and a great cause together. This is my art through my eyes, to tell you the story of those who are suffering and are not strong enough to tell you themselves!
I chose to use real women who ride, with the bikes they love, in outfits that each represent a story, a culture and voice. I decided to do something South East area has never seen, women who ride in a video fashion show and Gala art show telling each outfits story. Creating a Calendar of the girls to raise money and awareness.
There will be a motorcycle ride to the event for those who wish to participate. I wanted to merge my two worlds of high fashion class and down and dirty motorcycles together to create the perfect event that sparks the interest of any one who loves motorcycles, women, charity and the love of art.
My goal is to raise awareness and money for the foundation, so that they can continue to spread the word of this horrific illness and its side effects.
I hope you will enjoy my love of design and art in this beautiful compilation of “Worlds Collided” to help us make a stand against the abuse of Chronic pain suffers, Mental Health stigmas, Big Pharma, and the stigma put on those who need pain meds to stay alive! Help Us by donating to RSDS.ORG. and help us have a stronger “SHOW OF FORCE!”