Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrius Johnson.
Hi Darrius, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In my 20s, I started developing a love for clothing and fashion trends. I began styling my friends out of my closet and also utilizing Goodwill at the time. Over the years that grew into something very special, and I started my first business “styled by Joseph”. Years passed and that was going ok, but I developed a greater passion for fashion shows and their production. So I started watching high fashion runway shows on YouTube and volunteering at local fashion shows. There was one in particular that I started volunteering for that really pushed me to where I am, and that was Greensboro Fashion Week. Volunteering and for their show was top-tier and an amazing experience. I continued to volunteer until I grew within the company to eventually become a partner within the network. Things were going really well, but I had a greater desire to bring what I was experiencing home. Being a NAACP Youth Advisor and seeing the marginalized community’s limited access, I wanted to bring fashion, culture, music and art home in the way I saw it.
I wanted to go into the least likely demographic and find those hidden treasures(people) and help showcase and grow their art and skills. So in 2022, along with a group of friends, I started a fashion production company labeled “Crownology” our motto is be creative, be unique, be Royal. Crownology Fashion Company was created to build a platform in the fashion industry that would represent every culture, Nationality and skin color known to man! Our goal is to educate, enhance and enlighten those across the Dan River Region and abroad, and those abroad to the uniqueness and ability that’s In the fashion industry. It’s our goal as well to connect every creative and creator on our platform to build a lasting network of fashion family. We’re gearing up for our first fashion week in June “River city fashion week so be on the lookout. Below is a poem I wrote that shares the sentiment of my heart concerning crownology.
Crownology is black, brown, white, and every other color imaginable.
Crownology is the standard in which we operate
Crownology is art
Crownology is music
Crownology is the ability to create something out of nothing.
Crownology is the Renaissance of Harlem
Crownology is jazz
Crownology is cornbread on grandma’s stove.
Crownology is also the perfectly decorated plate somewhere on Italys ocean cove.
Crownology is class
Crownology is aristocratic
Crownology is braided hair
Crownology is skin ever so fare
Crownology is the soul of art added to a blank canvas.
Crownology is the fabric, pattern and woven stitches that bind us together
Crownology is you!
Crownology is the fruit of a soulful Artists.
Crownology is unique
Crownology is creativity
Crownology is Royal
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I feel as creatives we experience astronomical highs and then there are times where we’re experiencing super lows. So, I honestly try to navigate through it all. It takes money, time and much patience. Did I mention money? Lol
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My 9-5 is pretty dope! I’m an advocate for the faith-based community in a small county called Caswell County in NC where I was raised as a child. I have the privilege to serve the faith-based community. It’s my responsibility to assure the community that the resources that we offer and have provided to other belong to them as well! We’re constantly working to improve the health of the community that I serve with pop-up clinics for vaccinations and foodbank drives to ensure that every family has a warm meal at night. I’m known for being a choir boy lol. Raised in the church all of my life, I grew a great love for music and directing the church choir. I am most proud of being the son, grandson, brother and uncle to my amazing family.
I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to love beyond what I see naturally. I love people, and by no means am I placing myself on a pedestal. However, I see people and I genuinely see them for who they are. So, I try not to see with my eyes as much as I do with my heart.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see crownology making huge strides in the next 5-10 years. It is in my hope that we become a clothing brand, model agency and many other things on our vision board very soon.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Crownology Fashion Company
- Facebook: Crownology Fashion Company
Image Credits
Jameel Rashad Austin Selena May Roberts Jon Eric Johnson Knyla Harris Tiffany Graham Magazine Cover (Graphics)
