Fashion affects how junior Parker Johnson views himself

Wearing clothes not only expresses junior Parker Johnson’s personality, but also gives him confidence; Johnson finds a strong interest in fashion. At a young age, Johnson first became exposed to fashion by his grandmother and aunt. This year, Johnson has created the Fashion & Makeup club for others who share the common interest.

“I hope people realize doing things like [fashion and makeup] does not weaken you, but empowered you,” said Johnson. “I mean who’s the stronger person? The guy dressed as the lady or the guy?”

Once an introvert, Johnson learned he could use something he loved, like fashion to show people his personality.

“In elementary school. I didn’t talk to many people. I wore a lot of bad things I never should have worn. I felt weird and not myself in the clothes all the other people were wearing,” said Johnson. “Ninth grade year, my fashion really upped itself, but I was still afraid to break a lot of those cultural rules. Like don’t wear heels, don’t wear a girl’s shirt, don’t wear this and don’t wear that.”

Johnson dismissed others negativity and began to embrace himself though his clothing choices.

“There would be a lot of situations where people would be like ‘that’s not empowering. People don’t feel empowered by wearing women’s clothing.’ I would hide a lot of that and I would be like ‘Wow I really like that, but I just can’t wear that,” said Johnson. “Starting this year, I just started being like who cares? I’m proud I’ve made it this far. I am thankful for who I am even if people want to be rude to me.”

High school allowed Johnson to realize how much his clothes affect his personality.

“[Fashion] impacts my confidence and how I feel about myself because typically, when I dress up I’m like ‘Oh yeah, love life,’” Johnson said. “I feel very comfortable with who I am, and very proud of who I am no matter what people say.”

Johnson’s friend, senior Bella Italiano, said Johnson’s interest in fashion boosts how he views himself which, according to her, is an important aspect of self-confidence and happiness.

“He’s not afraid to do what he wants or say what he wants; He is very outspoken,” Italiano said. “He doesn’t care what people think about him, which I think is a really cool quality to have. He cares about what makes him happy and making other people happy. At the same time, he doesn’t let people stop him from what he wants to do.”

Fashion trends change frequently and to keep up with what’s popular, Johnson shops at many different places in order to stay ahead of the curve. Shopping on a budget, Johnson loves to find shoes at Payless. His favorite clothing stores include H&M and Forever 21.

“A lot of their [clothing] is gender neutral or unisex type of clothing,” Johnson said. “Either side can find something and say, ‘Oh I can get into that’ or ‘Oh that will look fine on me.’ And I enjoy that.”

Johnson took his passion to another level this year by starting the Fashion & Makeup club with Italiano. Johnson said he knew that other people at Mill Valley would have an interest in either fashion design or makeup.

“I started the fashion club because most schools in the Midwest don’t typically have a [club] like that,” Johnson  said. “There is a less [recognition] of dramatics and arts.”

Knowing that they shared a love for makeup and clothes, Johnson approached Italiano to start a new club that would be centered around their common interest.

“We wanted an outlet for kids who use makeup and fashion to express themselves. [The club] impacts [Johnson] a lot. I think it is just a way for him to express himself and not be judged,” said Italiano.

Johnson hopes that by starting the new club, he will be better prepared for what he wants to do after high school: going to New York and studying cosmetology and fashion design.

“It’s better to have something and be like, ‘Yeah I made that, that’s my fashion makeup club,” Johnson said. “After high school, I want to go to an art school. While I’m doing that, I’ll probably do hair too.”

Johnson is thankful for fashion’s role in his life because without fashion, he probably would not be as enthusiastic about the person he is.

“I wouldn’t be the same weirdly dressed person that everyone knows me as,” Johnson said. “This is who I am. This is what I look like. You are you with [fashion].”