We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lanee Johnson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lanee below.

Hi Lanee, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I have been an artist since I could pick up a pencil. I’ve always had an overactive imagination and to this day rely heavily on it to be creative. I graduated from the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC. They really helped me to hone in on my skills as an artist educating me on all aspects of it. From it’s history to it’s various forms and techniques. Barbie made me love fashion. I use to make my dolls clothes from old scraps of mine I no longer wanted. My mother taught me to crochet around age 3. A skill I’ve only just tapped into and have been applying to my fashion brand “Amorous By Lanee.” I perfected my fashion design skills at AIU Los Angeles, CA. After earning my BA in Fashion Design and Marketing, I moved back to the east coast to further pursue a career as a runway model. I’ve been making a name for myself as both in the fashion industry ever since.
I am grateful for the lessons along the way.
The failures, the disappointments, the “No’s” I’ve endured. Cliche as it may sound, I’ve been made all the stronger and better for them. My only regret in life is being afraid. Had I not been, I would have taken my modeling career international by now. Without fear, I’d have pursued a lot more agencies with quite a bit more ferocity to express my utmost desire of wanting to be on an “A” list designer runway. I’ve since lessoned my grip on being in control of everything and am now content with the opportunities that present themselves to me organically. Throughout my many years of fashion shows, I’m now at a point where I can participate as a model, designer, or both, sometimes in the same show with such proficiency it shows I have prior experience . This unfortunately renders me overqualified with some fashion productions and agencies. I’ve found that many productions not only look for younger models, but also inexperienced ones that are more susceptible to mold their liking. My age and the wear and tear that life has done to my body also plays a part as to being accepted or not. Non-the-less, I have a steadily growing business in fashion design, a notable resume in modeling, and since I am no longer afraid, I have plans to take my entrepreneur endeavors international.

Lanee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I first started modeling at age 10. My mother started putting me in beauty pageants to help boost my self esteem. I was a very depressed child then due to my appearance. I had very few friends and was the youngest of my siblings. Too young to hang out with I suppose. I was also more vulnerable and impressionable. I relied on my imagination to be happy then and do the same today with the exception of I no longer care of others opinions about me. The beauty pageants help in the sense that they groomed me well for rejection and disappointment. I became very passionate about runway modeling and obtained the knowledge of the industry throughout the years of my pursuit of a career in it. My proficiency in modeling comes from the years of determination to learn my craft and be signed by a major modeling agency. I’ve yet to be signed, but am still getting the work and experience nationwide as both a model and fashion designer. Today, I’m signed to three mother agencies that each contribute to my entrepreneurial endeavors. I am most proud for having kept up my pursuit despite the plethora of obstacles life has thrown my way up til now. Including, but not limited to, being a single mother of twins. On the contrary, life’s little bumps has inspired me in many ways and taught me exactly how much I’m willing to do to be successful by my definition of “success.” I look forward to my fashion brand being in high demand and widely known for it’s uniqueness as well as my skill for walking the runway.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am a single mother of 9 year old twins. My son Royal and my daughter Reign where not in my life’s plans. Yet, because of them I am even more driven to be successful in the fashion industry.
9 year ago however, I was working two jobs here in the DMV area with the intentions of relocating to Miami, Florida to both pursue a career in fashion design and modeling while simultaneously working a cruise line. I had fallen in love with the staff of a Bahamas cruise I went on once and was convinced it was a decent way to see the world. Something I very much wanted to do prior to having children. I don’t let my job as a mother affect my pursuit in the slightest. I simply adjust as necessary to accommodate our needs. I am much more resilient having adapted to this new way of life and am all the stronger for it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I not only enjoy expressing myself as an artist. I appreciate other artist and their multitudinous ways of expressing themselves. I am a lover of art in all its many forms and genres. I feel it’s something that connects us human beings on a deeper and more spiritual level. If one is open to perceive things from another’s point of view, there’s no limit to what we can learn from each other. Being open to different interpretations of life often inspire and help me discover new ways of expressing my individuality. I seek to be educated in anything I can use to broaden my horizons throughout my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brittnielanee420.wixsite.com/amorousbylanee
• Instagram: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/AmorousbyLanee
• Youtube: @blaneejohnson9871

Image Credits

Elena Dorman
Mack S. Bradley
Roberto De Micheli