J.W. Anderson was born in Northern Ireland and originally wanted to pursue a career in acting. He moved to Washington DC to study drama at The Actors' Studio where he discovered a love for stage costumes; Anderson soon moved back to London and took his degree in menswear at the London College of Fashion. Making his foray into womenswear, the J.W. Anderson woman is androgynous, confident, realistic and loves to borrow a few menswear pieces from his wardrobe.