We were lucky to catch up with Mya Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mya , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I am a self taught fashion designer. I didn’t go to fashion school. I didn’t have a mentor. I didn’t have any relative who taught me how to sew. I simply had a passion for the craft of sewing from the outside looking in, so I bought a sewing machine with money from my first job working at Chick-fil-a and just tried it. Somehow I already knew how to work the machine. I guess it was truly meant for me but along the way as I began to advance, I started watching Youtube videos about specific things I was interested in making or doing.
Knowing what I know now, just allowing myself to make an insane amount of mistakes would have sped up the learning process. In my personal experience, I’ve learned the most from my mistakes and I can definitely say that their were moments that I looked at mistakes as a bad thing or lack of progression but it was the total opposite!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m MJ, Founder & Designer of XclúJohn, an ethical, craftsmanship focused fashion brand catering to luxury tastemakers who value ethicality & exclusivity. I create premium quality designs that are playful, timeless & made ethically. My brand is what I like to consider a reestablished approach to the true meaning of luxury in a world where the term is used very loosely. I currently only make womenswear, but I am preparing my debut for menswear which will be taking place this Fall/Winter of 2023!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I definitely think that people do not realize how buying from people who copy us creatives, tampers with our creative drive. For example, as an upcoming fashion designer, I am aware of how many fast fashion companies copy our designs and sell them for cheap at a mass scale and people like you buy it. But it’s not fair to me as a creative because I was the one who spent time creating the design. It was my idea. Now you’re buying it from someone who completely ripped me and other creatives off. It’s not fair. This is my talent. This is my skill. This is how I get paid and survive, so how dare you knowingly support someone else in stripping that away from me?
I try to always remember that some people can’t afford to buy ethical or luxury because it is in fact a luxury within itself, but it still doesn’t change the fact that many people knowingly buy designs that they know are ripped off. As a creative it’s dehumanizing and so many non-creatives think us creatives exaggerate when it comes to this particular issue, but it really is that deep. I do understand that in the creative space, there will always be someone copying you, but I just want fashion consumers to be a bit more considerate of emerging fashion designers and refrain from buying certain things from certain companies if they know such design(s) are ripped off.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely, and it’s very direct, freedom. I am using my talent and skill to accomplish freedom. I want freedom in time. I want freedom in finance. I want freedom in creativity. I want freedom overall and I definitely believe that my talent as a fashion designer will get me freedom in all of these aspects.
Contact Info:
- Website: XcluJohn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamxclujohn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xclujohn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mya-j-b79034204/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@xclujohn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamxclujohn