From Runway to Camden Yards: How Jody Davis Brought High Fashion to the Orioles’ Hawaiian Shirt
When Baltimore fashion designer Jody Davis pictured the milestones of her career, stepping onto a baseball field wasn’t one of them. But on July 12, there she was at Camden Yards, throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Orioles faced the Miami Marlins.
“I won’t say it didn’t bounce, but I got it over home plate,” Davis laughed, her self-deprecating humor as effortless as her designs. “It felt amazing — and the reaction from the crowd made it even more exciting.”
July has been a whirlwind for Davis, owner of Jody Davis Designs, a downtown Baltimore boutique known for polished yet practical womenswear. This summer, she teamed up with the Orioles for a unique twist on their beloved Hawaiian Shirt giveaway. Using the 2025 print — complete with the team mascot, crabs, flowers, and tropical foliage — she transformed the fabric into six one-of-a-kind garments, including dresses, pants, a jacket, and a chic two-piece set.
Fans got their first look on July 12, when the first 20,000 attendees at Camden Yards received the giveaway shirt. At the same time, Davis’s custom creations went up for auction at the Orioles Authentics Store, raising over $1,000 for the Baltimore Design School, where Davis serves as a board member.
“I want people to feel like these are stylish, functional, one-of-a-kind pieces,” she explained. “Something you can wear to a game, then out to dinner — or even just running errands. And yes, they all have pockets.”
A Baltimore Original with Big-League Ambitions
Davis’s journey began far from the runway lights. A graduate of Western High School, she always loved fashion but didn’t initially see it as a career. “I prided myself on dressing well in high school,” she said. “I didn’t realize that my hobby was actually my gift.”
After seven years in a steady government job, Davis decided she wanted more. She applied to New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) but was initially turned down due to her sketching skills. Undeterred, she took classes at Baltimore Community College and commuted to New York for weekend draping courses.
When she returned for a second interview, she met the same counselor who had once rejected her. “She said, ‘I don’t even need to see your portfolio — your determination tells me everything.’”
From a Tablecloth to High-Profile Clients
Her first creation? A bright yellow linen tablecloth turned into a simple, scalloped-edge dress. “I was basically cutting holes for my head and arms,” she laughed. That dress won over her elegant Aunt Ruth, who urged her to pursue fashion seriously.
Since then, Davis has dressed high-profile clients including Iyanla Vanzant and Maryland’s First Lady Dawn Moore — and she’s still chasing her dream of making her brand a household name.
“I’ve learned that you can’t just wait for things to happen. You put the vision on paper, then you work for it,” she said.
Designing with Heart — and Baltimore Soul
Davis describes her design process as fabric-first, draping her ideas rather than sketching them. She credits her Baltimore upbringing for her bold, individual style. “In Baltimore, we’re not afraid to express ourselves. That authenticity is something I’ve carried into my work — I don’t chase trends, I design what I love.”
Her current inspirations? Fabulous shoes, bold colors, rich textures, and unexpected pairings. And if she were a garment? “A dress with a frilly bottom and a fitted top — something that spins and spreads magic everywhere.”
What’s Next
Next up for Jody Davis Designs: an evolution of her signature power suit and the launch of Lux Leisure, a line of luxury leisurewear that transitions seamlessly from the office to travel to weekend outings.
For Davis, it’s all about inspiring others. “Find your niche, find your joy, and be your authentic self. That’s what the world needs.”
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