Uncle Johnny Living a fruitful epiphany and he is excited to share it with the world!
An award-winning celebrity clothing designer known for his adventurous looks and celebrity clientele. JCPenney Because of what he calls “magical” “manifestations.” JCProm with Johnny Wujek It launches February 29th at select stores and JCPenney.com.
JCProm with Johnny Wujek comes to life!
Wujek told The Blast that she always wanted to design a prom line, and now she's making that dream a reality thanks to a collaboration with JCPenney.
“This is the realization of what I’ve wanted for over 10 years: to launch a prom dress line. I grew up in the Midwest, so prom was like the Grammys. So when I moved to LA and actually went to the Grammys and these things and big events, that was really important to me. Who would have thought this kid from the Midwest would be here doing this?” he told The Blast exclusively.
“So this was a really cool way to bring some glitz and glamor back to our community and our company as a whole by partnering with JCPenney to launch this line of prom dresses. It's really cool how the universe worked and it's happening now and it's the right time. “It will be very exciting and very interesting Johnny Wujek to give high school teens a special prom night inspired by my stage performances and red carpets and these events.”
The collection includes 22 “extremely versatile” pieces that are gender fluid. “It’s for everyone,” Wujek said. When asked if there was a favorite piece in this collection, he said it was difficult to choose.
“Anyone can wear everything and mix and match suits and gowns. I love the revealing style with a reversible skirt, two in one piece, and a short cropped tuxedo with coat tails that zip up. It becomes a jacket.” he said “So there are so many it’s hard to pick just one, but I think the one that stands out the most is this little mini bow dress. It's very editorial and very colorful. “Whoever wears this to the ball will have a good time.”
The partnership was a kind of full-circle moment for Wujek, who not only shopped at JCPenney as a teenager but also had a relative work at the company. And a friend brought the two together for this exciting chapter in Wujek's life.
“The universe brought us together through a manufacturer woman who was my friend. I told her my thoughts. She might be right up your alley at JCPenney. JCPenney was my first taste of department store fashion and glamor,” he told The Blast.
“I had an Aunt Mary who worked there, and she gave us JCPenney gifts every birthday, communion, graduation and Christmas. So when we connected, I thought, oh my gosh, JCPenney would too. It's cool because now we can collaborate with my history as a fashion outlet in Michigan. And I always wanted it to be accessible, affordable, and achievable. It makes sense that JCPenney is located across the country. When I finally connected and signed the contract on my birthday, I thought, 'Okay, this is going to be really magical.' I can't wait.”
When it comes to prom style, Wujek advises teens to go “all in” because it's a very big and exciting event for high school students.
“It’s like the Oscars and the Grammys. This is a celebration event to celebrate the graduation of four-year high school classmates. We are commemorating this big event. “Wearing clothes is really fun,” he said. “I just think it’s an opportunity. When will I get that? Tonight is your night. I say go all in. Think of it as a red carpet Oscar event. It's never enough. It's a moment. Accept it and move on.”
Johnny Wujek entered the fashion world and hasn't looked back since!
When Wujek moved to LA, she quietly dove into the world of styling. After meeting Katy Perry at a party one night and the two became friends, he began designing costumes and doing major red carpet events and began to gain recognition. That's when he jumped right into the fashion world and hasn't looked back since.
Since then, Wujek has worked with many great clients and has many interesting stories to share. But there is one particular experience that stands out to him.
“It’s really funny because I’m from Michigan. But I grew up watching ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and Vanna was an icon to me. I always thought she was so attractive. “She was interviewed at the Super Bowl when she played Katie and she asked who she wanted to dress as, and that person was Barna White,” he said. “Two days later, Vanna White’s team contacted my agent and said Vanna would love to have Johnny dress her for a week.”
Wujek recalls going to the show and putting his name on the board. The experience soon became his most memorable moment.
As for future endeavors, Wujek would like to direct a film one day. He almost tried to do that, but he said the writers and actors' strike broke out. And now that the JCPenney collaboration is in place, he might end up adding directing to his resume at some point.
Another exciting part of the JCPenney partnership is the opportunity to give back to the community.
“I’m really glad this happened,” he said. “When I first started talking to JCPenney, I said I really wanted to give back.”
And if you give it back, they will! The retailer will donate $250,000 to five schools for unforgettable proms.
“We leveraged every employee at JCPenney to recommend various schools that could give back to their communities,” he explained. “The response we received was truly amazing.”
Schools that are one of the five selected will be notified on March 8.