By Sabreen Dawud,
Special to the AFRO
As a clothing designer and style expert with over 40 years in the fashion industry, Cedi Johnson, of Cedi Collection has contributed to fashion in more ways than one.
A Detroit native who is now based in Washington, D.C., Johnson began developing the Cedi Collection brand in the late 80s while working as an engineer. He has now provided styling services for well-known figures such as actress Vivica A. Fox, musician Anita Baker, and Grammy Award winning gospel artist, Dorinda Clark Cole.
“Fashion is a way to escape. That’s what fashion means to me. I mean you can wake up in one mood and then put something on and completely change the way that you feel, change the way people look at you,” stated Johnson.
While Johnson recognized his engineering background as an influence for his willingness to create, he also attributed his introduction to fashion to his mother. He detailed his mother’s love for dressing up as a foundational part of his love for fashion.
“I was influenced by my mom, who’s raised in the South, so she was very conscious of how she looked. I was influenced by her sense of style first,” Johnson shared.
The fashion professional also described his personal style as a notable source of inspiration for the clothing pieces he creates.
(Courtesy Photo / Cedi Experience)
“I would probably describe it as like an off-beat elegance type of approach,” he said.
“I did an upscale evening gown made of all blue jeans mixed with a little knit. It was a very elegant couture cut, like a mermaid type dress, but the whole hem line was trimmed with the tops of blue jeans,” Johnson explained.
Cedi Collection pieces range from custom couture gowns to ready-to-wear clothing. According to Johnson, his brand looks to provide clientele with a variety of styling options that cater to their interests and affordability.
“I always try to design two lines of clothing: clothing that is a little bit on the higher end of things, more couture if I can say that in the States. Then I do a line of clothes that are a little bit more considered ready-to-wear,” Johnson explained.
“I’m known for my knits. I do some really interesting things with knitwear. Sometimes I’ll do evening gowns out of a t-shirt knit or something like that. I do a lot of upcycling things as well,” he continued.
A more recent identifier of Johnson’s accolades in fashion were displayed through the showcase of his Fall collection during Paris Fashion Week in 2022. He described his sentiments as he witnessed his designs grace the runway in France’s fashion capital.
“That was a dream that I had ever since I started. I pulled off a 15 piece collection that I showed at the Ritz in Paris during Paris Fashion Week a couple years ago. That’s my biggest accomplishment,” Johnson said.
Though Johnson expressed gratitude for the work he does, he also noted the difficulties that can come with running a clothing business. With the obligations of work, and the desire to maintain a personal life, he explained how it can be tricky to have a balance. He also emphasized how his creative vision and the demands of the fashion industry can clash.
“It’s a real unique balance of time management really. You have to make the time to have a life and actually run the business. So, that’s been one of my challenges over the years,” he remarked.
“With the fashion industry, one of the challenges is also staying current. When you create things that don’t exist, you sometimes have to take a shot in the dark and stay obligated to where your creativity is because sometimes the industry won’t feel what you’re feeling,” added Johnson.
For more information on Cedi Johnson and the Cedi Collection, visit his websites www.cedigoestoparis.shop and www.cediatelier.com. You can also follow his Instagram @cedicollectiondc or Facebook Cedi Johnson.
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