Meet Johniece Verge | Stylist & Rising Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johniece Verge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johniece, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Definitely first & foremost keeping God 1st in my life! He’s brought me through sooo much & especially on this new Spiritual Journey that I embraced, I’ve seen nothing but FAVOR & mind-blowing blessings so it’s imperative that I keep this relationship strong if I want to receive all that I ask & pray for! But of course we won’t get any of that if we don’t do OUR part so at the same time I try my hardest to constantly keep my thoughts positive, protect my divine energy, WORK HARD, keep my closest/purest family & friendships close, & just try to be a better me than I was the day before! Also by keeping the words GRATITUDE, OPTIMISM, ORGANIZATION, FAITH, KINDESS & LOVE in the very front of my mind considering that we receive the energy that we put out!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, to begin, make no mistakes about it, I am first, and foremost, a fashion designer! I received my bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design in 2018, from Middle Tennessee State University, and two days later, moved to Atlanta, to further my pursuit of this dream!

I used the first year of my new life in Atlanta to settle in. It was important to me that I first plant my feet in this soil by getting my home together, finding a Word-based church, networking, job searching, and really just getting more familiar and comfortable with the city’s rapport of elite success, residents, and fame!
I felt that it was important for me to have a foundation because being in a city like “Hotlanta”, or “The Black Hollywood” (as Atlanta is commonly referred to as), it’s sooo much about who you know, what you wear, and of course the music and entertainment!

Now, fast forward another 1-2 years, it was pertinent that I made sure I handled the beginning ground-work of my business by establishing my LLC, EIN, and gathering pivotal resources for the remaining aspects of the backend side. Also during this time, I wanted to make sure that I still kept my creativity thriving by constantly brainstorming, sketching as many ideas as much as I could, as quickly as I could. However, I eventually began to suffer from the weight that I was putting on myself from pressuring my creativity out! It wasn’t until a young lady, around the same age as I, who runs her own brand development business, walked into the job I was working at at the time, and told me that “when our talent and gifts are in the field of creativity, we CAN’T force that!” “It literally has to just come to us, so stop being hard on yourself, and stop trying to MAKE it happen because [in doing it that way] it never will!” “You’ll just drive yourself crazy!”She then shared that I should just take a break and let it all come to me naturally because that’s when our best work is going to show anyway…
So that’s exactly what I did; I took about a year break from alll of my fashion work to just work on ME! Inside & out! During this down time, I also did more traveling than I ever had, and I spent a lot more time with my close family and friends. I was also able to meet, work with, and develop relationships with sooo many people and came across so many better resources that can, and will definitely be a major asset to my brand’s development and growth in the near future.

One thing I that I would love to be able to share with the world is not to put so much pressure on yourself! I found this to be true especially when you’re in a field such as arts/creativity, you can’t impel yourself to create because regardless, the gift is already in us, so it’s going to thrive when it’s time for it to thrive. And you know what? She was absolutely right! THAT is when our best work is released!

Now, what exactly is this business? It’s a Luxury Apparel & Accessory brand named after me, JOHNIECE. What I’m most excited to share about my brand is that it’s what I like to call “Beyond Fashion”, as in it’s going to do/be just that—go far beyond fashion in the fashion industry. By this, I mean that JOHNIECE is not only going to be providing stylish high fashion clothes, shoes, and accessories to shoppers, because at the exact same time, it’s going to be providing aid to people all around the world who need it! I always knew that I wanted to be able to bless people within, and far outside of my community and even outside of the USA, but I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to do that being that my gift is one of art/creativity. Then, I got a job at a retail store that automatically gave a small percentage of their revenue back to a different charity or organization every quarter on Mondays. I knew right then exactly how I was going to bring my Gift and Ministry together! Every few months JOHNIECE will pick a different organization/community to daily receive our specified percentage of all net revenue, except on “What’s Good, Wednesdays.” On this day of every week an even higher percentage will be taken out for them! So not only will the people wearing my brand feel enriched, sexy, and empowered when they “Put’ that sh** on,” [as we say in the A] but they can feel like a humanitarian; humbled and proud, because automatically they are generously giving back every time they simply make a purchase with us!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has sooo much to do alll the time, it’s hard to really say; she’d have to keep coming back! But overall, of course we would have to get some chicken wings & some seafood, in the hood areas b/c I personally feel that’s where they’re the best! We’d have to get brunch from one of the maaany Black-owned spots for bomb food & a lit vibe! A nice dinner at one of the many upscale restaurants for a more sensual vibe. Also majority of Atlanta’s nice lounges around/in the city have really good food too so we’d definitely have to get cute & hit 1 of those spots for a more laid-back-lit vibe with hookah & drinks [for my friend as I don’t do either😅] Can’t leave out the actual club! There are soo many hot spots to party on the weekends & even all throughout the week with the best djs & finest bottle girls [raises my hand as 1 of them, on the side]! And without further ado, what’s 1 of the main things Atlanta is famous for? The strip club! My personal favorites are Magic City, Allure, & Onyx so we’d go to one of those for sure…if not all! I’d take her through Phipps Plaza & possibly Lenox [on an early weekday] to do a little shopping. As I mentioned before, there’s sooo much to do in ATL, there would probably be some type of event, festival, attractions, etc open/going on for us to partake in like tourists. And then I’d probably turn around & take her to church with me Sunday mornin’!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My “FAB 5” to start off: My Dad, Mom, Little Sis, & Little Bro as we’ve always been soo close! & they always been there every step of the way w/ ENDLESS EFFORT!!! Also my Nannie who eeeeveryone that knows me well knows that she is simply the BOMBEST grandmother on this planet! Also my auntie, cousins, big sister, nephew who I love so deeply! And of course my close friends [who exactly who they are] for being sooo genuine, loving, supportive, & encouraging as well; they especially help keep me in line, hold me accountable, & constantly push through this fresh journey!

Instagram: @Auntienieceyy

Other: Johniecethedesigner@outlook.com