EMERGING DESIGNER

Joneien Leah Johnson

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Joneien Leah Fashion Focus

What started as a hobby dressing Barbie in homemade couture fashions, blossomed into an education at Iowa State University and fully bloomed while designing uniforms for Cintas, Corp. In 2010 Joneien decided to make her dream become reality with much prayer and support from her family, the Joneien Leah Collection was launched.

Joneien leah is committed to keeping manufacturing in the U.S.A. and using local resources, services and collaborating with Chicago's local talent. As a Chicago brand, Joneien feels it is her responsibility to help grow the fashion industry right here at home.

Joneien Leah Johnson on Fashion

What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas?

Wearing too many acid brights at once. I was 15 and it was the first day of high school in the mid 90s.

If you could only shop at one store, which would it be?

BCBG

If you could change one thing about your closet, what would it be?

Everything would fit perfectly. As a short curvy woman I have all kinds of fit issues, from pants being just too long (even petite pants) to skirts and pants gaping in the back, and button blouse gaping in the front.

Survival of the fittest: What is one item in your closet that you will never get rid of?

My red jersey faux wrap dress. It always looks fantastic.

If you were given the opportunity to have a famous designer revamp your entire wardrobe, who would you choose?

Zero Maria Cornejo, her clothes are feminine with an edge and effortlessly stylish.

Name an actor/singer/celebrity whose wardrobe you admire the most.

Gwen Stefani

What are your best and worst fashion purchases?

Best: Big Shoulder Black Motorcycle jacket, it looks cool with everything. Worst: Greenish Gold Bubble Skirt, the tags are still on it needless to say.

Who makes your favorite pair of jeans? Shoes? Dress or Suit?

Jeans: Levis Curve I.D. Shoes: Aldo Dress: BCBG

If you had to describe your personal style in one word, what would it be?

Multidimensional

If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?

Anything from the 1920s.

If we could take a peek in your personal closet, what would we find?

Lot's of color, mostly Teal and Plum. Very little black. Neutral for me is Navy or Grey, but always must be paired with a bright.

MyCloset.com Speaks

We absolutely love Joneien's idea of designing fabulous designer clothing for the petite stylish woman. Oftentimes in the fashion world of statuesque long-legged models, the petite fashionistas get overlooked. This line addresses that issue with a distinctive flair for the fashionable.