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

Johauna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My mother knew before I did that I would be doing something in fashion. Ever since I was 5 maybe 6 I have had an interest in clothes. There was a point where my room was actually my moms walk in closet and I was told that I would get up in the middle of the night and take all my clothes out change and then fall back asleep. When I was a bit older I was using my baby blankets and making dresses out of them by tying them around me in different ways. If you looked into any of the VHS tape cases of the Disney princess movies a bunch of pieces of paper would fall out because I had watched and paused them to draw out each princesses dresses and put the sketches in each movie case. I dont think I realized myself until I was in 7th grade maybe that I was so passionate about putting together looks, telling a story about who I was through what I was wearing. That is when I knew my dream was to work in fashion. Though that dream was very general at the time I didnt know what in fashion I wanted to do just that I wanted to work with clothes.

Johauna, 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 am a fashion stylist and content creator. I am currently the Wardrobe Dept Coordinator on “The Voice” and do UGC and other content creation outside of work. I have had amazing opportunites in my life doing celebrity styling for red carpets, appearances, photoshoots and music videos.

With all that I have accomplished I found that I was still unfulfilled. I wanted to help other girls and women who have or are struggling with their confidence based on situations out of their control as I have.

I was raised by a single mother who had no help from my other parent, she struggled and did all she could to make sure my sister and I had everything we needed. My mother never let us want for anything but we learned from a young age that wants and needs are very different things.

I have curated my Instagram into a place where i can show how to mix pieces of difference price points to create amazing outfits that make you look & feel confident. I also use my platform to be extremely vunerable with issues I currently am battling. Its always cool to see how the IT girl influencers put together outfits, but its mostly expensive unobtainable pieces, styled on an ideal body. I could’ve used someone to show me that a brown girl with curves like me could look great with pieces that were within my lower price range. So I have taken all that I have learned in my career from where to shop, to dressing for my body type, being smart with what pieces you are spending your money on, and started putting into what content I put out in my Social Media. Obtainable and lifestyle for the Everyday women. I want girls and women to see the real struggles, the struggles to being healthy, the struggles of not being able to afford the trendy name brand pieces, the reality of not feeling good enough when you feel like youll never match up to the fashion infuencers we see on a day to day basis. I know having that person would’ve helped me with my self-esteem while growing up.

This is something I am truly passionate and excited about, and aim to continue doing for the foreseeable future

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me I think the most rewarding thing is when I get DMs from people I know and some strangers as well who have shared with me that what Im posting and talking about is truly a help to them. I try my best to b as vulnerable as possible and honest with my social media. I put a lot of work into making sure the outfits I’m putting together are realistic for people. And staying consistent with sharing my self-care, my struggles, my highs and lows. Every once in awhile I will get a message from someone telling me that they are so thankful for what I shared cause they were going through a similar feeling, that they love the outfits I put together cause it something they could actually see themselves wearing, or that my consistency in the gym has really motivated them to move their bodies. If I can make just a little difference for one person that is the most rewarding thing I could ever receive.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Honestly I just want to help others find their confidence and self-love. I think it’s so important and I didn’t find my confidence until way later in life, I didn’t fully love myself until way later in life, and I know that alot of the struggles and situations I have been through is because of that. I don’t want others to have to learn through the same situations I had to, and the best way I know how to help is through what I know and thats fashion and my practice in vulnerability.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: JohaunaDeo

Image Credits

girl in car commercial for Hyundai

pink dress, black dress model Janelle Gray photographer Jeremy Folk

Emmys Client Robert Parks Valetta

girl in chair and on red carpet client actress Deja Monique Cruz

guy in plaid Producer client Tomik Mansoori