We were lucky to catch up with Monèt Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Monèt , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I like to always reference my zodiac sign when addressing feelings of imposter syndrome. Virgos are known for wanting perfection in their work and overthinking their progress when double checking for errors. As a fashion influencer most of us find validation in being a published model, gaining a large social presence or being paid for work whether it be a campaign for someone else’s business or the sale of our own products. In the beginning of my modeling career I struggled with imposter syndrome because of the way I looked; being a curvy model with coily hair didn’t necessarily align with what I thought a traditional model should look like. I remember my first runway show in Miami, FL , I showed up with my hair blown out with hopes of getting a silk press backstage with one of the hairstylists. The stylists backstage insisted that I walked with my hair blown out big as it was for the show and I was horrified but complied with their suggestions. After the show those runway photos turned out to be some of my best photos that helped me to land brand ambassador deals with local Miami clothing stores as well as hair companies in my hometown, Jacksonville, Florida. Since that show I’ve had the opportunity to do runway shows with celebrity audiences in Los Angeles and New York and received compliments from the special guests and features in reality television shows. With so much admiration I began to gain confidence in myself for being me and not caring that I didn’t match old fashion model standards. Eventually that confidence led me to host fashion shows for Jacksonville Fashion Week & Events after doing much research and learning our city hasn’t hosted an official Fashion Week event since 2014.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Monèt Danielle Johnson and I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida in 1999 where I went to school most of my life. I graduated from William M. Raines High School as a straight A student with a 4.3 gpa and the school queen, “ Miss Raines 2017”. After high school I was accepted with scholarship to Florida International University in Miami, Florida where I earned my Bachelor’s in Communications Arts and served as a member of the executive board in our school’s fashion organization. My love for fashion grew as I helped plan and model in fashion show events on campus and eventually ventured off campus to local Miami fashion shows throughout the year, including Miami Swim Week. After graduating from undergraduate at FIU I launched a fashion brand, Danielle Monèt Sandals & Accessories (Shoes & Apparel) where I implemented what I learned in my fashion org in my company. I’ve had the chance to model in Los Angeles Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week and received a lot of exposure from both from being featured in reality tv shows like Basketball Wives to magazine covers. Being native to Jacksonville I began to do research and learned that Jacksonville hasn’t hosted an official fashion week event since 2014 which peaked my interest to initiate having these events here again. At Jacksonville Fashion Week & Events, our mission is to be the leading news media brand that showcases and celebrates the vibrant fashion scene in Jacksonville, Florida. We aim to provide comprehensive coverage of all aspects of fashion, from designers and clothing brands to photographers, videographers, models, and fashion enthusiasts. Through our annual fashion shows, we create a platform for individuals to connect, collaborate, and express their creativity. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community that values diversity and innovation. Additionally, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of fashion professionals by offering job and internship opportunities to fashion students, enabling them to gain valuable experience in the industry. Join us as we embark on an exciting journey to showcase the best of Jacksonville’s fashion and inspire the world with our unique style and creativity. Although Jacksonville Fashion Week & Events is well established I am still interested in growing support for my brand Danielle Monèt Sandals & Accessories (Shoes & Apparel). My brand has been accepted as a designer brand for New York Fashion Week for September 2024! The Fall/ Winter collection will be launched and show cased in the show. To follow up on Jacksonville Fashion Week follow us on socials (@jacksonvillefashionweek) – instagram (Jacksonville Fashion Week & Events) – Facebook. To follow up with my clothing brand DMSA follow us on socials (@dmsashop) – instagram. (Danielle Monèt Sandals & Accessories) – Facebook.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first thing that’s important for success no matter your profession is to be a people person. You should be approachable, non judgmental and know how to carry a conversation to develop a relationship with people. Secondly being able to face adversity and adapt quickly is very important because mistake happens and emergencies come up; your first response shouldn’t be to cancel for a minor inconvenience. The third most important attribute is having a backbone. As a leader you may be responsible for making tough decisions and your opinion will be valued. It’s important to express your thoughts and concerns respectfully to avoid agreeing to terms and conditions that you really don’t agree with.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with fashion influencers, designers , fashion show hosts and artists in the future. Our fashion shows are very entertaining and house very creative individuals. It’s always amazing to meet new people and mix our knowledge of the fashion world to birth new trends and creative ideas. I like people that are original, creative trend setters that make me say “wow”.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jacksonvillefashionweek
Image Credits
Images by Steven Rankins and Ahshay Studios
