Darling Apparel was born out of a lifelong passion for college athletics and an even deeper love for the James Madison University. I’m Jake Darling, founder of Darling Apparel. Born and raised in upstate New York, I dreamed of working in college football equipment. That determination led me eight hours from home to JMU, where I joined the football program and instantly fell in love. I fell in love with the school, the people, and the spirit that makes this community so special. Working with the program, I picked up skills I’ll carry forever. Most importantly would include sewing (I still sew for the football program to this day), which sparked my passion for creating custom apparel. What started as modern JMU gear for myself and friends quickly grew into something bigger—an opportunity to give every fan the chance to show their Dukes pride in fresh, unique ways. Darling Apparel is more than just clothing—it’s a piece of my story and a way to celebrate the JMU family we all love being a part of.