Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Johnson II.
Hi Kenneth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a recovered, free spirited man who went through several suicide attempts and a dark past. I grew up mostly with my single mother at a small town of Warner Robins, GA. Even though I had two older brothers, it still felt like I was a lone wolf in my journey.
The transition from small town life to big city was very rough as I only had my mother, which I had to leave her by herself. My mom may have not been the best but she was all i had at the time. Growing in Atlanta taught me about being liberated and finding the right friends who will support you unconditionally, building a new chosen family. I discovered many things about myself that I did not know during my lone journey such as my love for singing and fashion, or how much of a free spirit thinker I am in comparison to others.
But the biggest experience was how much my smile and kindness can even make a difference in people’s lives. These recent “interesting” events in America has put a lot of people on the edge. We never know what to expect and that kind of panic forces many to spiral around, thinking the worst. I have been through the absolute worst in almost taking my life. So, I understand what many are thinking and it granted me empathy, which I use to make others feel hope.
I recently was accepted into the graduate program at SCAD University. I hope to use my masters degree in building a fashion styling business that focuses on finding people’s inner beauty and matching that with their outer beauty, Life is beautiful and a celebration, but only if you share that joy with others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenges were finances and my dark depression.
I may have grown up in poverty but my mom taught me how to navigate around it. The biggest was how to enjoy the more simple times and cherish every moment in the present. My family were very big in watching movies. They really enjoy sitting together and talk too much during the movies (haha). But even enjoying a movie together taught me to turn off from the stress of life and enjoy what is more important: family.
Another big thing that pertain to finances was also navigating how to look expensive on a ten dollar budget. Ironically, I learn to have a fashion sense around high school or college through the help of media. I enjoy fashion tremendously. It was not about the “status” of a person but how put together and colorful one can look that exuberate their personality, creativity, and confidence. I channel my feelings of fashion to myself and it completely made me feel seen for my talents that I put my heart on.
The other biggest challenge was to navigate my dark depression. For nearly 10+ years, I suffered through bad anxiety and feeling alone or not good enough. I had this mindset since middle school and up to after college. Depression is the absolute worst because it blinds you from the greatness that you can achieve. I have ruined many great friendships because of my hurtful actions. However, I did not know how to navigate these feelings for a very long time until I went to therapy. When your in a depression state, everything just feels so sluggish and grim and you want everything to end. On the flip side, however, without my depression, I would not have experience the pure joyful moments of healing. Around 25 or 26, I stopped drinking alcohol, cold turkey. There was a day when I realize that I am losing my joy in singing and free spirit thinking. My entire mind and body was being badly damage only to act a fool in public. Because I quit drinking and went to therapy, I got to rediscover who Kenneth was and the strengths and gifts God has granted me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love being a fashion stylist. There is a difference between fashion design and fashion stylist, but I will not get into it. I think fashion runs in my family and my veins. You know that feeling when you just cant help to feel excitement and get goosebumps? Its how i am when I see a beautiful lady strutting down the street with just a 4 inch pump.
During my time working at Out of the Closet Thrift store, I got the opportunity to style many mannequins. I wanted to show customers that you do not need much money to look your absolute best. As long as you know your body and what colors or prints works, you can tell a story. Unfortunately, I had to move on from the job, but many people would say they came to the store simply because of what the mannequin looked like through the window.
Another great moment was when I volunteer for Voices Of Note fundraiser and getting the opportunity to create a design that tells the queer herstory of each decade (1980s through the present). Even though there was many hard challenges, I felt so proud of the work because I stuck to my morals and values and show the power of fashion in story telling.
I currently work two jobs that does not pertain to my fashion journey but I am working toward becoming a certified fashion stylist. I think what will set me apart from other fashion stylists or designers is that I actively listen to a client. I want my client to tell their story while its my job to make them feel happy and powerful in their outward appearance. It does not matter if my client only has ten dollars or 1 million; fashion tells a story of who you are.
The last proud moment was fully seeing my fashion styling in a model photoshoot with Evan Torch for the first time. There is a special feeling and moment when you see the full transformation on a model and being allowed to utilize my fashion knowledge to make it look stunning. It was a feeling of “I know what I must do in life” moment. I cannot thank Evan enough for the opportunity and letting me work my magic.
I think America has gotten to the point of wearing down (such as crocs or grab ‘n’ go outfits) simply because their job forces them or how society will perceive them. The whole “you must look a certain way to look successful” has really drill into people’s head. You can look successful in a suit and tie or a simple dress, but there is a great difference in FEELING successful. How do you what to present yourself?
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
One of the most important characteristic to success is making sure I complete my job with full integrity and it matches my morals and values. I want my clients to know and feel that they will get the best styling techniques until they are fully satisfy. For many years, I always followed the money or high grades, but it did not make me feel successful.
No amount of money can make me feel happy if it ruins my morals and integrity. To know that I completed a job with my skill sets i am passionate about is a huge success. I hope that doing what I love will inspire others to follow their passion and to enjoy every single moment of the process.
Pricing:
- 300 per styling session.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kentastixstyle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.johnson.1460/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-johnson-ii
Image Credits
People included are my mom (Maria Agosalim), my two older brothers (Ricky and Leonard), and my music team from Virginia Highland Church.
