Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Blackburn and Jenna Cormany.
Hi Ashley and Jenna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My business partner Jenna Cormany and I met in 2022, and have been fast friends ever since. Although being in different life stages, her being a mother of two that have already flown the nest, and me being a recent college graduate at the time, we always shared a similar vision. We had the same tastes in life, the same dreams. We had been musing on starting a business together for years, but we never thought it would be this soon or in this format. In March of 2025, we met at the Carpenter Hotel for one of our regular coffee dates and the idea for Maison ďArmure was born. It is truly a culmination of everything we love and embody. A clothing brand for women who want to get back to their roots. For women who are over fast living and fast fashion. In our planning and dreaming, we certainly were excited about the clothing. But we were more excited about our shared vision for the type of community we want to create. And this may be a long shot, but even a movement. A movement towards authenticity in a world where creativity and compassion are starved. It started with clothes, but we would be failing ourselves and each other if it ended there. Of course, this will take time. We are still in our foundational phases, having just released our first collection on Earth Day 2026 (very fitting for Jenna and I). But we’ve come far. We’ve built steadily. We’re consistent. We’re patient. I believe with all my heart that Maison ďArmure will be more than what we dreamed, and I am excited to see it unfold all expectations aside.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has honestly been remarkably easy to create Maison ďArmure. Perhaps I’ve had certain expectations, working for struggling small businesses in the past, that it would feel impossible at times- always running into roadblocks. Of course, we’ve had our moments of uncertainty, but when we run into obstacles we commit ourselves to remember it is only redirection. Jenna and I’s friendship has deepened greatly since we began this journey together, and it is that very connection and respect for one another that is the foundation of our success. I believe that I could not build this business with anyone except for Jenna by my side. With a true partner, you really can accomplish more than you think.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Maison ďArmure is French for “House of Armor”. We derived that name from a passage in Ephesians 6 detailing the Armor of God. While our business is not explicitly a Christian based company, we find that passage to be very beautiful and inspiring. The idea that it is our character and faith in something beyond us that protects us. And for us as women, we believe that our strength, in tandem with these principles, comes from the embodiment of our femininity and communion with other women. That being said, armor can be soft. It can be as simple as expression. Silk, cotton, wool and linen. Slip dresses and socks lived in.
Yes, Maison ďArmure is a vintage clothing brand, but our real dream is to build community- a home, a place where women are empowered by their own gentleness and whimsy. Clothing is just our medium. But what a beautiful medium it is! We hand-source all of our pieces from France, spending several weeks there at a time. There’s just something about antique European fabrics and clothing construction. The simplicity, the detail. Each piece is thoughtfully purchased, researched and repaired. We typically spend at least a couple of hours with each piece before it goes to market, ensuring that we are offering not just a dress or blouse but a timeless heirloom with a story and a life still to live.
We are most excited about bringing these type of vintage and antique collections to the Austin area. Jenna and I have both lived in Austin for many years, well versed in the vintage and secondhand community, and have yet to find a company with our offerings consistently. On June 7th 2026, we will begin our monthly residency at Camp East (2905 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702). The first Sunday of each month, Maison ďArmure will be open for in-person shopping along with several other local Austin vendors. A beautiful venue with free wine tastings, tattoos, and gourmet pizza- so our vibe.
How do you think about happiness?
Solitude in nature, feeling the breeze on my skin, butterflies, bird watching, sunshine, moonshine, dancing, laughter shared with friends and family, live local music, holding baby animals, getting to sleep in almost every morning, writing poetry, feeling exhausted from working hard for something/someone I care about, cooking a new meal for a friend, listening to my dad tell the same story over and over again, watching my cat sleep, gardening, eating sushi, swimming, getting out of my mind and into my body… there are so many things that make me happy. I wonder what thread ties them all together except that these are the things that make me feel free and alive. I know my partner Jenna shares in most of these joys as much as I do (or we wouldn’t be where we are today!). Her and I can both agree that happiness is simple and must be experienced as it comes, there are fresh new joys everyday!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maisondarmure.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maisondarmure/
