“When you grow up having nothing, you’re
not afraid of anything.”
By Reynaldo Mena
Johnny Valencia is a person who sees success as the most routine thing in his life.
“It doesn’t surprise me. If you’ve prepared for something, when it comes, you know you fought for it,” says Johnny Valencia, one of the contemporary fashion icons who has dressed figures like Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, and Christina Aguilera, among many other stars. However, his grandmother wanted him to become the president of El Salvador, his home country.
“For many years, I seriously considered it. I believed I was preparing myself to become president; I even studied in France at one of the schools attended by several presidents and former presidents from various countries,” says Johnny. Valencia emigrated to California when he was between three and four years old. The situation he and his mother were living in El Salvador was unsustainable.
“We fled from a life of intense domestic violence,” says this artist. Important publications such as Vogue and many others have featured profiles talking about his artistic proposal. “At times, I think about how a Salvadoran migrant has managed to achieve this impact; it surprises me,” Johnny Valencia adds.
“In less than four years of business, Johnny Valencia has amassed a roster of high-profile clients, with Bella Hadid, Cardi B, and Grimes among his regulars. When not fielding DMs from Madonna and Kim Kardashian, Valencia can be found selling Prada stripy stoles to Rihanna. He is also credited with making vintage Westwood corsets the fashion world’s most wanted item,” writes The Times of London.
“This is what has impacted me the most. Appearing in Vogue is relevant, but being in The Times is something I couldn’t believe,” he adds. Johnny grew up like any young Salvadoran migrant, trying to legalize his residency, learning English, getting good grades in school, and accepting that he was different from others since he was gay.
Although his love for art had been present in his life since childhood, it was veterinary medicine that constituted his first dream. “I really liked animals. My family told me that I should study to become a veterinarian. I planned to become one of them, and after high school, I enrolled in that career. I only lasted two years; I convinced myself that it wasn’t really my dream and started studying International Relations,” he says.
Years ago, out of his own initiative, he started studying French. That allowed him to apply for scholarships for study programs in France. His life was starting to take flight. His plan was to leave for three months, then it extended to six months, and finally to one year.
“I needed $52,000 to access the scholarship for one year. I talked to my mom and told her about it. ‘Where are we going to get that money from?’ she asked me. And like everything else, I told her not to worry. I would get it. I started writing letters explaining my case, and that’s how I raised that amount,” he says.
Johnny Valencia holds a firm conviction in a phrase. “When you grow up having nothing, you’re not afraid of anything,” he proudly recites. At that time, his life was dedicated to studying and getting the best grades. “I had an Israeli boyfriend, and that motivated me. We competed to see who got better grades,” he recalls. At the end of the year, reality hit him. He had to step up his game.
“I went to the Salvadoran embassy in Paris. I was able to talk to the ambassador, and while sitting face to face, I told him, ‘How can I work here? I want your job; I want to be sitting where you are’,” he says casually. He returned to California still fixated on becoming the president of El Salvador.
He worked for a while in the consulates of Mexico and El Salvador in a program called ‘Saber es Poder’ (Knowledge is Power). He was only 22 years old, and it seemed like he had already traveled the whole world. During that time, he met a friend from Nigeria who was taking photographs. Instagram was just starting, and he was waiting to take his next step.
“On one occasion, I ruined her camera, so I went to buy her a new one and bought one for myself. That changed my life,” he recalls. “It’s incredible how everything that came my way turned out well. I believe it’s because of my principles; I’m convinced of that. You have to have a good attitude, be noble, and have a smile. That will take you very far,” he adds.
Johnny Valencia worked on various projects, starting from the bottom and eventually climbing to the most executive position. He became the boss, but he had already set out to undertake his own project. “A friend told me that if one day I decided to leave my job, never take a sideways step, it always has to be a step forward. So I decided to start my own business. I made sure to have enough money, sacrificed myself, and took the leap. The sky was the limit. That’s how Pechuga Vintage was born,” he proudly comments.
Johnny Valencia never thought his project would reach the levels it has now. “I have always been inspired by surrealists, like DalÃ, that whole movement. Everything is connected. That’s how Pechuga came about; nothing made sense, but it existed,” he says. The name came up in a Mexican restaurant. He didn’t want something common. While eating chicken with a friend, they said, “Why don’t you name it Pechuga?”
In his search for his collection, he applies his instinct and knowledge. “You have to enjoy the image, experiment, become obsessed with what you’re looking for,” he says. He has also had his lows, despite all the success he faces daily. Recently, his most critical moment has been being sober for nine months. It has been a very difficult fight.
“I think that being on that quest led me to alcohol. That’s when I understood that there is something bigger than us, than me. When I reached my limit, I told myself, ‘If I asked for help to achieve success in my work, why not ask for help for myself.'”Valencia is convinced that his career saved him. Those desires to create, seek, and experiment.
“From the moment you wake up, you’re experiencing trauma. You have to surrender to your past and face the present. Draw strength and say, ‘I’m doing something, and it’s good,'” he mentions. “I don’t want to appeal to the romanticism of pain; I don’t want to be remembered for that. Being sober has given me wisdom; that’s what truly matters. I can say that I have communicated with Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, and yes, that’s success, but how wonderful that it happens in perfect harmony and not from pain.”
His grandmother still thought that his goal was to become the president of El Salvador. She believed that his business was simply a hobby. “Do you know what I just had for breakfast?” he tells me. “Beans with Salvadoran cheese with my grandmother,” he proudly adds. His mother is proud of what he has accomplished but, above all, of taking care of his mental health. She is aware of who he is and the struggle he has gone through. Nothing surprises her.
“For them, I am still Johnny, and I like that. It’s thanks to having had that humble experience.” And after dressing so many celebrities, his obsession is with a person he hasn’t had access to. “Michelle Obama,” he answers quickly. “I would like to offer her my selection.”
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