Fashioned Magazine | Issue No. 19 | Brave 2020

Photography by Chela Williams

DESIGNED TO SHINE Johana Hernandez

An Interview with Designer and Founder of Glaudi Haute & Couture, as told to Cyndi Galley

The moment you walk into her gorgeous boutique in Beverly Hills, one might feel slightly intimidated with all that sparkles and shines as her boutique is gorgeous from head to toe. But the moment Johana Hernandez greets you, any insecurity vanishes as the sparkle in her smile and twinkle in her eyes warmly welcomes you to her new Glaudi abode. This wasn't my first time at Glaudi, Beverly Hills. Nor was it my first interview with Johana, but as for the team, they were smitten by the Salvadoran beauty who is as down-to-earth as she is stunning. The moment you see her details of beauty, sequence, glamour and design, it is no wonder Glaudi's new store (her first is located in Downey, California), fits right into the elegance and feel of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

FM: Tell us... how does it feel to be in Beverly Hills?

JH: I feel very accomplished. It’s definitely a new challenge now because I’m here—Global—everyone comes from all over the world to Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive... It’s a new project for sure and I’m very excited. It’s a new project for sure that I’m very excited to take on and just to grow! I feel like if God put me here, it’s for a reason and I'm really excited about what’s next.

FM: God has some amazing things for you for sure. Looking at your store AND your dresses—there’s so much detail! Everything is so gorgeous… There are sparkles and you see the detail of all of your designs & the intricacies of it all. When did you know you wanted to be a designer?

JH: I’ve always had it in me… My parents used to work in factories, sewing. My mom made me dresses… My grandmother did also… It was always something I had in my lifestyle. Getting dresses made with my mom measuring me, I’d be drawing dresses, but I never knew this was a career... my parents just had regular jobs—lower than minimum wage, because they were just sewers (one that sews).

I went to Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) at 19 right after high school and I had a passion for making Women feel beautiful and it just kind of happened. God

gave me an opportunity where I was supposed to be in an internship but I got hired as a designer. And then from there I tried to start as an assistant again and I couldn’t... God would put me as a designer, a designer...a designer ... until now—having my business for nine years. It was a God thing.

FM: You launched Glaudi nine years ago... and now you have opened your second shop in Beverly Hills... congratulations! It was so exciting to be a part of your ribbon-cutting ceremony... just to see the hand of God on you and your store and just how you have truly impacted the lives of so many of the women who were here celebrating your special day. It was wonderful! We all said the same thing— not one person had anything negative to say about you because of who you are and I really believe that emanates from the inside out... Because of the love you have for the Lord. Talk to us about your relationship with God and how it has helped you be where... and who you are today.

JH: I’m super close to Jesus… like super Duper—it’s crazy! But at the same time, it's a relationship, so sometimes it’s high, sometimes it’s low. I’m always talking to him, but I feel like I’m not a religious person so the way I speak to Him is just everyday.

I don’t go in prayer for two hours... but I just talk to Him everyday and all the time. For me, my relationship with God is that He is my

best friend. He’s my Dad... He’s given me everything. Everything I put my mind and heart into, it comes true. I think it’s because I follow the Commandments. I try to follow them as much as I can... I sin, too... But I always try to be honest and loving and kind to people and I have a lot of integrity.

FM: And you have a strong work ethic, too.

JH: Yeah... I got it from my parents because they had three jobs when I was a kid, but we never had anything missing for us so I want to do that too… It’s good, but it’s bad sometimes… I feel like we are so into this fashion world.

FM: Speaking of fashion, you were at Paris Fashion Week—congratulations! What number year was that for you?

JH: It was amazing! I’ve been doing it for four seasons now at The Ritz, Paris. That was a dream come true. I am the first Salvadoran to ever show in the history of that country and I am one of the few Latinas that shows there, too! I feel like I’m opening doors like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., from opening my store here to that. I want my brand to be for everyone. I named Glaudi after my mom to show that it came from hard work. It’s not just me saying, “I want to be a designer and make pretty dresses.” I want to provide jobs. I want open doors for more people... I think people of color are the best in sewing here in the United States and they don’t get highlighted. I’m just like, “Hello people. Let’s get it together!” I need to show off how talented we are... They are always in the factories sewing, and no one knows and other people get the credit… I want to show that I came from a sewer... these people are so talented and I want to show that.

FM: Love that. That’s so good! Being a woman of color, I’m not a good example of a good sewer (smiling), but what would you say to somebody who might have a desire to design or even to sew, but they don’t know where to start? What would be the first thing you would have them do?

JH: I think they just need to start. Just start where they are and stop being in their head. Just do it. Show it on Instagram, dress your family members and the people around you… focus on now because it will come. It

took me 15 years to get to Paris.

FM: What would you say to somebody who has dreams in their heart? Dreams to be a photographer, singer, a speaker, teacher or an author... What would you say to that person afraid to fail, as sometimes we do have those fears and want to play it “safe”?

JH: It’s so good that you’re saying that... my dog (just) passed away... and I told my brother, “I don’t want any pets anymore.” He told me... “If you never had pets, you would never have experienced love…” It’s so true. You either decide to become frozen—not like the movie—but just frozen and not do anything, not experience anything, or do it. I get rejected all the time but I have this confidence that God gives me that I can do it and I brush it off, you know? I’m fabulous! And it’s not about being conceited, it’s about being confident so you know that your designs are not going to be for everyone... not everyone’s gonna like you, but you’re going to find the niche. My niche is the woman who’s fabulous, who’s not afraid to shine, who’s extra and she wants to feel good… She feels confident. A woman who is not confident is going to feel like my dress is going to overpower her but a woman who feels great about herself or wants to feel that way; she’s going to want to wear a Glaudi dress to make her feel fabulous!

FM: I want to wear a Glaudi dress!

JH: Yes! It takes a special person. Just like evening gowns and bridal party dresses. Now that I’m here in Beverly Hills, I want to start doing cocktail dresses and every day dresses, this way more women are able to wear them... I know that not everyone has a gala... or wedding to go to. I am really excited about what the future holds. But to go back to your question—just do it.

FM: You got a really huge break on the show, “Fashion Star.” Talk to us a little about that.

JH: In 2013, I was on the show, “Fashion Star,” which aired in 145 countries. I was mentored by Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson and John Varvatos. My friend, Ernesto, told me I would be great for the show; I didn’t want to be on a reality show because it was too much drama... my life is very peaceful. He told me that it wasn’t drama, but that I could get to sell my collection to Saks, Macy’s and Express... win

prizes and I was like, “Okay...sounds good!” I was in China at the time and then went straight to San Francisco... I literally had no time to do my application, so I did it. I didn’t sleep all night and so when I got there I was dying. At the time I was dressed like Lady Gaga because I was really into her, so I would dress crazy. I couldn’t find a taxi so I ended up getting a town car to drop me off; people thought I was a diva! Reporters came up to me, asking me questions. I was like a total celebrity without wanting to be one... I was trying to hide from the camera. It was funny! When I saw all the other designers, I was like, “I don’t think I’ll be on the show because these people are very beautiful… model-looking. This girl’s like designing bikinis with a six pack, and I’m like, “That’s not me, I’m a size 16!“ I sat in line, I had my little portfolio and my dresses, and I was like, “...I’ll just give it a try.“ They give you three minutes to talk; all the designers were there... God just gave me favor. As soon as I started speaking, all the producers came to me, huddled around me and started asking me more questions. I was being myself.

FM: I love that!

JH: And I made it to the show! They only chose 11 designers from around the nation and they casted all over the country! It’s one of my proudest moments and I won. I sold to all of the department stores and I also won the Fiat Design Challenge, so I got a special edition Gucci fiat. It’s parked outside... so it’s real! It’s a collectible; so hopefully I’ll have it for the rest of my life.

FM: ... I had no idea! This is years later (laughing), but congratulations!

JH: Everything I put my mind into, just happens, you know? I just want to tell people that if you believe, you will get it, God says, “Seek and ye shall find, knock, and the door will be opened...” These doors are open because I worked a lot. I can’t give up now.

What seems to happen in my life… I get tired… I’m about to make it to the most successful moment of my life, and I quit. Like in that competition, I was at a point where I wasn’t as confident as I am now. I was winning every episode but there was a time where I was like, “This is not for me” and I quit... mentally. Now I’m learning, “Johana, you’re almost there. Don’t quit.”

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FM: That’s so good! I really appreciate that you’re all-inclusive. You want this for everybody, and you realize that this may not be for everyone, but your heart is to include everybody and I love that. That’s something very special and it’s very unique.

Let’s talk about love a little bit (switching gears and laughing).

JH: Yes... let’s do it... let’s talk about love! It’s always good to talk about love, because I don’t get to talk about love in my other interviews. Because yours is faith-based, which I love… that’s why I love Fashioned Magazine! Other ones are just about my career, so I am like, “I want to talk about my personal life, too! You know?”

FM: Yes... because you have one! SO... have you ever had your heart broken?

JH: Oh girlfriend, just recently. So again, to that story of my brother and the dog... it really resonated to my whole life because recently I got dumped not only once, but twice. By the same person. I obviously feel very peaceful... like that was meant to happen... I’m glad he did it, because I couldn’t do it myself. I gave him to God, and I’m like, “God bless him.” He’s a very handsome, talented man. I’m glad I experienced it because I was able to experience love and I was able to know that I could love again.

I was in a very long relationship about seven years ago. I’ve dated, but nothing has lasted very long. Getting to know this person for a couple years was really nice to experience. After that experience, I’m kind of excited to just fall in love with myself again... love God and do what I love and be passionate! Sometimes when you date the wrong people, you forget who you are and you start dumbing yourself down to meet their standards and I don’t wanna do that anymore. I’m 33 years old. I am Johana Hernandez... I need to find someone who appreciates that and who loves me. I’m a size 16… This is my dress size. I want a man who wants a girl who‘s plus-size, too... you know? I need to fall deeper in love with Jesus... I’m very passionate about being here in Beverly Hills and I think love will come. I trust that God will bring the right person… I feel like before, I didn’t. Before, I was trying to do it on my own, so all of my relationships weren’t working because I was forcing it. I was

like, “What are we?” I shouldn’t have been asking that question in the first place.

FM: (Laughing) If you have to ask. Not settling. I think a lot of times... a lot of women are willing to settle. You have a pretty high bar.

JH: That’s the part where it gets difficult… I think there’s a point in your life where you think, “OK, this is the person.” And I thought I found that person. Obviously I didn’t, because I’m still single, but I think for me... there is no such thing as a perfect person, because everyone has flaws; everyone has issues. I have so much love right now to give... I think there is an imperfect person for everyone.

For me it’s so important to have a man of God, and I don’t know why. I attract guys that are not on fire for Jesus. Now, I’m going to trust Him... everywhere I read the Bible, everyone He has worked on has been flawed... people that are a hot mess… I am a hot mess, too. How am I expecting someone that’s... godly, when I need to work on myself... to become that person that I’d want to date.

I’m learning a lot and I feel like I have definitely humbled myself. I think it’s important to get dumped because it humbles you and it teaches you about what you want and what you don’t want. It’s so good for your heart to be broken because then you will appreciate love… I think.

Before when my heart wasn’t broken, I was such a diva... like, “Oh, my world is so beautiful and perfect.” And then when I got dumped, I was like, “ Oh my gosh... this hurts.” I didn’t know... you feel sick, but it’s in your heart… You can't go to the doctor for heartbreak. Only Jesus can fix it. I know it sounds funny, but it’s actually a good thing to get your heart broken.

FM: It’s learning, for sure—whether it’s a relationship, anything in business... and anything else!

JH: Talking about business, the only way for us to grow is to support small business owners. I am a small business owner, so it’s great to share photos, like us on social media, come shop with us. Come get your wedding dress with GLAUDI... Quinceañera dress, prom dress, evening gown or cocktail dress... any kind of special event dress.

FM: Or like THIS dress you’re wearing... gorgeous!

JH: Yes! It’s just really important to support small businesses... without all of you we can’t survive! Thanks to everyone I’ve been able to open up my second store in Beverly Hills... I can’t continue doing this without the support of everyone to come shop with us. Remember we make them to all sizes, so we’re here for everyone.

FM: How has it been reworking your business with COVID? Your masks are absolutely gorgeous, by the way! I cannot tell you how many complements I receive when I wear your ”Diva Shimmer.” It’s been remarkable to see how you’ve switched gears—right in the midst of the Pandemic. You are beautiful, brave and brilliant and I so appreciate your heart to serve and minister as you also made masks not just to sell, but also for health workers amid the virus pandemic.

JH: For us it has been a blessing to change our business with a plan to help the community with masks. I have a ministry... God is Fab... I share how to empower yourself in Jesus! Follow me there and I’ll follow you back.

FM: We follow you, because you follow Jesus!

JH: I put God first in everything, so you’ll see that… It’s very refreshing. I don’t see designers do that... I’m like, “Jesus, I’m here for you... I’m your number one cheerleader!” Fall in love with Jesus. Put Him first and He’ll put you first in everything.

To follow Glaudi on social media…

Website: https://glaudicollection.com IG: @glaudibridal Johana's IG: @glaudibyjohanahernandez Johana's Ministry: @godisfab

www.fashionedmagazine.com

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