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Johnny Wujek is bringing Hollywood to excessive faculties and past.
The superstar stylist and costume designer has teamed with JCPenney on a promenade assortment of crimson carpet-ready separates, robes and suiting infused along with his signature kaleidoscopic type — suppose Candyland coloration palettes in retro silhouettes. Priced from $59 to $219, the inclusive line is offered in juniors sizes from XS to 3X and younger males’s sizes XS to 4XLT. Items are designed to be combined or matched: There’s a rhinestone-embellished black jacket and muscle tee, a sequined tank high and skirt with an adjustable slit, a black tuxedo jacket with a detachable tail, and silk mint and lavender swimsuit jackets with floral lining or rhinestone trim.
“I went to my promenade; I in all probability went to 4 proms. I used to be at all times the man that women would ask. My senior yr, my girlfriend and I [went] and I totally styled the each of us!” Wujek tells LeslyNewsMagazine. Rising up in Michigan, JCPenney “was my glitz and glam. I might go there to purchase Christmas presents.”
Stylist Johnny Wujek (middle) in his JCPenney JCProm collaboration marketing campaign
JCPenney
The JCProm collaboration “took inspiration from totally different eras. Promenade is so iconic, there’s so many a long time: the ’50s with the complete skirts, the ’80s with the sparkles. I did plenty of analysis on promenade and present items. Rising up, I used to fantasize about Hollywood — it’s so glamorous, it’s actually so surreal and loopy that I get to share that form of power with the Midwest. This assortment brings the entire experiences of being on the Grammys, being on the crimson carpet and awards season. You stroll into promenade and also you’re a burst of coloration!”
JCPenney
For individuals who wish to channel Wujek’s purchasers (particularly, Katy Perry), there’s additionally a black mini gown completed with a rainbow of outsized bows, a inexperienced and black striped sequin robe, a reversible black and pink high-low hem skirt with a rose accent and a fluorescent yellow off-shoulder gown.
“I’m used to creating costumes in two days,” says Wujek, who gained an Emmy award for his work on the Disney+ collection The Quest. The collaboration “was guided by the universe … On my birthday on July 21, I met with JCPenney’s patrons and the entire workforce. I confirmed them, after which it was full-tilt boogie, we made the entire samples in 11 days. Then went to Texas to fulfill with JCPenney the place they’re primarily based. It was the primary time I noticed every little thing, they have been all superb.”
Wujek caught up with THR to talk extra about his new JCProm collaboration, how lengthy the gathering has been within the works and his personal crimson carpet must-haves.
That is such a lovely and inclusive assortment. On that be aware, it’s laborious not to consider current information about assaults on LGBTQ+ rights throughout America. What do you hope the message is for teenagers or anybody else buying at JC Penney who see your items?
I do know precisely what you’re speaking about. Inclusivity was my precedence. There’s one thing for everybody — It’s genderless, colourful and thrilling and items you can actually combine and match and play with. I wished everybody to have one thing to be their most genuine selves and categorical their power, being accepted, being seen. General it’s a celebration — promenade is a giant celebration for top schoolers. You’re celebrating neighborhood, celebration, inclusivity. It’s simply being inclusive and colourful.
How lengthy has this been brewing?
I swear, every little thing on this venture, the universe was sending indicators. The concept of it was brewing in me actually over a decade. How this took place is so natural and so cool. I met the lady who ended up being my producer, I met her round June. I [told her about the collection] and advised her, that is one thing that belongs at JCPenney, it’s reasonably priced, it’s attainable. She’s like, “Oh we work with JCPenney.” The universe was guiding us on this one.
What was the design course of like, and the way did it begin?
There have been so many sketches and initially it was imagined to go smaller to start out. Fortunately, JCPenny beloved them. The bow gown was very huge to start with. It began lengthy, so we thought, then we stated, let’s lower it and maintain it mini and a enjoyable social gathering gown. There’s bows, ’80s all over the place.
JCPenney
With awards season in full swing, do you might have plans to look at the Oscars? Are you dressing anybody?
I really like the Oscars. I’m not styling as a lot nowadays, I’m specializing in the promenade collaboration, I really like to simply watch [the award shows]. I at all times get pleasure from what everybody wears and seeing the entire appears to be like.
Whether or not somebody’s going to the Oscars or promenade, what are your crimson carpet hacks?
Mints in your pungent breath! All the time lower these hanger straps, these hanging out is rarely a great factor! I really like how numerous carpets are nowadays, there’s so many appears to be like. One thing to deliver to the carpet is only a showstopping look and confidence.