Los Angeles Firm Inc. Magazine July/Aug 2014 | Page 31

Chrome Petals Interview Cont.
LOS ANGELES FIRM INC MAGAZINE

What school did you attend?
I studied theatre design, commercial music production, art and fashion at LACC, Trade Tech and then
received my undergrad from CSULA, where I ran
the fashion club for a good part of a year. Producing fashion shows was one of the best experiences
of my life. I also am in the process of applying to
graduate schools for costume design or technically
based fashion.
What would be the ultimate dream come true
for you as a designer?
Let’s see… each birthday, 30 being tomorrow, I’ve
wished for world peace
and $1 million. So, I suppose as many, the ability
to freely create otherworldly designs which come
from my dreams, that encompass the fashion world
as highly influential, having a positive impact on
society by going against the stream of the atypical
body image that is intangible for many women. I
want wearers of Chrome Petals to feel like they’re
slipping into a second skin, a suit that shows them
how beautiful they are.

JULY / AUG 2014

What would you say to designer’s that are
starting out and looking to make a career out
of designs?
Hone your craft early on, cling to what drives you
into happiness whilst maintaining an open mind.
This is the 21st Century, so meditate; I’ll leave
the rest to you. A design school is your foot in the
door, so nurture your network, you never know who
you’re going to meet and take that internship (unpaid
work experience, experience being key). Be open to
collaboration: Often times, entrepreneurial designers start out their companies during college with
friends. Create a solid portfolio and ask for guidance
when needed. Read autobiographies of designers
and artists that you admire. Learn discipline and
set positive boundaries. Give yourself nudges of
encouragement along the way and remember that
when you’re enjoying the process, you’ll thrive.
Always realize that any decision you make in your
career will allow you to take two steps back or make
one move forward. As innovators, we are bound to
make a splash that may entail critical feedback, so
most importantly, never give up and color outside of
the lines!

Is this something you could see yourself
doing for the rest of your life?

Where can our readers stay updated on Jade
Johnson and the brand Chrome Petals?

Absolutely. Art and design are everything to
me. It’s where I find myself the happiest.

So glad you asked. ;) You can follow me on IG: @
jadechromepetals, facebook.com/ChromePetals,
twitter.com/ChromePetals, modelmayhem.com/
ChromePetals, etsy.com/shop/ChromePetals, or visit
my site at chromepetals.com

Describe the feeling you get each time you
complete a design?
Like I’m doing what I was born to do. I can
only be so lucky to share my art with the world.
But to be able to create a votive of the pain
I’ve experienced, transmuting it into a beautiful wearable artwork that helps the wearer get
through their day, is the objective.
What keeps you inspired to continue to be
creative day in and day out?
Living in LA, which is so culturally diverse, seeing all of the rich and poetically inclined murals,
attending art shows, music, my dreams, friends
and family. Trusting that the sun will shine after
the storm. To be honest, I achieve a lot of inspiration from the DIY cultures, h