Our Team

 
 

ANTHONY NICALO, FOUNDER

A chef and entrepreneur, Anthony is connecting the 21st Century to authentic food, wine and farming. He has cooked at renowned restaurants in Hawaii, Italy, Chicago, and DC. He now lives in Vancouver, BC. While working long days in the kitchen, Anthony couldn’t find a chef coat that was functional, fit properly, and also chemical-free, so he founded Dajoji to create a new kind of chef coat. Anthony is also the founder of Farmstead Wines, a company helping to create a new category in the wine industry – vinaroon wines. Anthony is also the director of Inevitable Table, the personal chef company of the Obama’s before their White House days.
 
 

JESSICA ROBINSON, MANAGING PARTNER

Jessica came to Vancouver to attend university. After completing her diploma in Fashion Design and concluding that a strictly design job wasn’t for her, she decided to take things one step further and went back to school for retail marketing. Jessica then spent some time learning the ropes and gaining experience at leading retailer lululemon athletica. Jessica joined forces with Anthony in the spring of 2009 bringing her fashion and production knowledge to the table. Her previous experience and passion for good food were a great match for Dajoji. Since joining, Jessica has taken over ongoing design development. A lover of good food, wine, and fashion, kitchen performance apparel is an ideal fit for Jessica, and she’s loving every minute of it!
 
 

LEANNE McELROY, DESIGNER

Leanne McElroy was born and raised in Vancouver BC. Her appreciation for fashion and design began at an early on, choosing to create most of her own garments from age 13 onwards. The drive behind her sewing passion lay in the idea that she was able to experiment with styles that she could not find to buy herself. She ended up creating one-of-a-kind looks envied by her peers. As the founder of Elroy Apparel, Leanne has built a well-regarded brand as a Vancouver designer. Leanne is a graduate of the Fashion Design program at Helen Lefeaux, where she was awarded Designer of the Year. Leanne worked with Anthony on initial designs for Dajoji. Leanne’s focus on sustainability and social responsibility fit perfectly with Dajoji’s goals.

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