word on the street - johanna
We’re getting the scoop straight from the sidewalk! Odera caught up with Johanna Constantine, artist, DJ, and self-made visionary who brings a hands-on approach to both fashion and music. From mixing textures to layered accessorizing, Johanna curates a wardrobe that’s uniquely her own, an ever-evolving extension of her personal brand and creative expression. And with her signature long ponytail as the ultimate finishing touch, her look is always striking. Stay tuned for more unfiltered style inspiration from Beacon’s Closet thrifters!
O: Hi guys, it's Odera. Welcome back to Beacon's Word on the Street. Today we're here with...
O: Hi Johanna, how are you today?
J: Great.
O: You look great.
J: Thank you. Yeah, utility outfit. Very feminine dress, so a matching jewelry set. Ladies day out vibe.
O: Right, okay. What do you do?
J: I'm an artist and a DJ. I make all my own music, I make my clothes, everything for my art. So when I'm dressing up, it's like I like to really just go designer, like all from someone else and just play with all of their ideas. So I don't have to work, it's just for fun.
O: Can you take us through the rest of your outfit?
J: I like really luxe, ugly things. Like this dress, it's Simone Rocha. I actually got it here (Beacon's Closet Greenpoint). These I also got here. Good, comfy boots. And of course I had these hand knit for me because I can't live without my mohair (points to leggings).
Jewelry is a lady named Martha Rotten. It's just really standard, chunky, bones and like disgusting looking baby dolls. Yeah, it's Martha Rotten! I mean, she does all of her own molds. So they're all these little custom things. Gloves are actually Five and Diamond. I kind of bought out a glove company and make all their own leather now. And I have every pair. Like I wear them all the time.
O: How would you describe your personal style?
J: I guess I would say like black baroque.
O: A very long ponytail. I feel like that's your most like striking attribute.
J: Actually makes fashion more versatile for me because I can wear the most conservative suit in the world and I still have this to express myself.
O: Anything that you're looking for in particular when you shop for clothes?
J: More things to play with, and if it's a fail, I just bring it back. My wardrobe recycles itself at this point.
O: Do you have any advice for people who are trying to find their own personal style?
J: I'd say, like, going someplace like this where it's every era, like, every color, like, you can just look at everything.
Like, I discover so many new designers here I wouldn't have seen. Get it, try it, bring it back, try something else.
O: It's so perfect because, yeah, if it doesn't suit you anymore, you can just sell it back.
J: I brought something back the day after I bought it. Like, oh, it doesn't go, ok.
O: Okay. Yeah, thank you so much for this!
interview by odera