Daily Inspiration: Meet Johnny Valencia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Valencia.

Hi Johnny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started collecting back in high school, thrifting on Melrose mostly. But fashion wasn’t really in my career prospectives as I was mostly keen on Animal Sciences. I got a full-ride scholarship to UC Davis where I lived on a farm only to realize that it wasn’t the most fulfilling experience so I decided to move to Paris and study Economics. After realizing that that wasn’t for me either, I came back to the United States, did a couple of stints in education (tutoring), then photography, and then some consular work (I’m from EL Salvador). Stumbled into fashion when I interned for Vivienne Westwood and I fully started Pechuga in 2018. Five years later and here we are.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business is not easy, I had my first taste at what it meant to buy and sell when I was 14 but now it’s a whole different ball game. I now manage a team and have inventory constantly revolving. Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual and neither does owning a business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the owner of Pechuga Vintage where I sell, archive, collect, style, educate, and design. I was named by Vogue as the “King of Corsets” because that’s what I primarily collect. I am most proud of my background and my studies. I am a first gen. immigrant in the United States (I was born in Central America, El Salvador to be exact). I think what sets me apart from others is my approach to fashion. I like to think of the genesis of trends, fabrics, our human behavior in regards to garments and how this fits historically within the societal frame that we currently find ourselves. I studied philosophy in college (amongst many things) and I think this greatly impacted the manner in which I collect and think about the business of fashion at large.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think believing in yourself is the biggest feat I undertake daily. Setting your fears aside and being confident in not only your own knowledge but the product you present to your clients must be cast inside in order to grow and move on to the next step. Trusting your team and leaving them to do their own work has also been a learning lesson for me in the way I manage people. I don’t think one ever manages an individual, I believe we manage their expectations solely. I survived a pandemic working in fashion, I think that’s a testament to the clientele that Pechuga has and the work that I do for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pechugavintage.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pechuga_vintage/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonnivalencia/

Image Credits
Photographer: Josef Jasso IG: @josefjassophoto