A) Johnny, congrats on your showroom and thank you for letting Cool America use some of your clothing for its editorials.  How did all of this start for you?

When I was younger, I was always out at the clubs. One day this guy came up to me because he saw all these people around me, and he thought that I was running the club. He asked me if I could get people to come to his events. Within 48 hours I had 250 people at his party. He hired me to represent his denim line, and to dress all the celebrities and socialites I met at these clubs and parties. I dressed up everyone I knew, and took photos of them, that got published in every media outlet that was around at the time. I knew that this could be a real business so I got involved in the fashion PR and marketing world.

B) Were you always drawn to fashion?

Yes, my father was a photographer and my mother was a model, so I grew up in the industry. My father traveled around the world and would bring back clothes for my mother, brother and myself — so I was always exposed to new and unique fashion from a young age.

C) How do you select the designers your showroom will represent?

I choose brands that are inherently unique. It’s important for me to offer the newest and hottest pieces. I want to know that I can really put my designers out in the industry in the biggest way possible.

D)Do designers approach you or do you approach them?

Both. If I love a brand then I will approach them if I feel they fill a need that I have in the showroom.  

E) How do you capitalize on owning a showroom?

I charge designers a monthly fee to be a part of the showroom, and for marketing and PR services.

F) What draws you to a fashion line?

Uniqueness and being psycho!! If it’s not fucking psycho don’t bring it here — it has to make a statement.

G ) What do you feel separates you from other showrooms?

Other showrooms don’t care about their clients as much as I do. This is not just a business for me, I have true relationships with my clients. I want to see my clients grow. That’s why I take them on — because I know I can take them to the next level.

H) How did you come up with the name The Confessional Showroom?

Whenever anyone comes to my showroom, whether it’s a stylist, designer, editor, or photographer, there’s a true sense of community and connection here. People are always telling me about their hopes, dreams, setbacks and obstacles. So, I said that it’s like a confessional — you come here to confess and you always leave feeling better.

I) I know you’re quite the entrepreneur, what other projects are you working on?

I’m actually coming out with a shoe brand, as well as some other projects that that the world will find out about soon.

J) What drives your desire for success?

I grew up with money, but at a young age my brother got sick with leukemia. The cost of that took a toll on my family financially. I realized that I never want to struggle like that, and I never wanted anyone else to struggle either. So, for me, it’s not about making money, it’s about bringing success and security into people’s lives.

K) What advice can you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

Believe in yourself, be confident, and trust that everything will come together. 

L) Do the same rules apply to an entrepreneur in fashion compared to other businesses or are there subtle differences?

Believing in yourself is the key to success in any field. If you’re confident in yourself and your work then you can easily sell it.

M) Since we are Cool America, we like to ask what do you think makes America cool? 

Diversity. The people in America make it cool.

N) What makes you cool?

Everyone has a different definition of what cool means — for me cool is bringing happiness and confidence into other people’s lives.