Get to Know: Johnny Wujek, the Creative Visionary Behind Katy Perry’s Style

Plus, his style peeve and sage styling advice

By Diana Nguyen Jan 27, 2015 6:41 PMTags
Style Collective Get to Know Johnny Wujek Top ImageKailey Strachan for E! Online

Hershey's Kiss-inspired crop tops, latex leopard-print bodysuits, rotating peppermint candy-boobs—Katy Perry's style is distinct to say the least.

More importantly, it's a clear extension of her fun, bubbly personality—and for that, we can thank stylist Johnny Wujek.

The style savant is known for his willingness to push the boundaries—and now, as a member of the E! Style Collective, he's taking us along for the ride. His "anything is possible" perspective brings celebrity clients—including Amber Heard, Shakira and Kate Mara—to many a Best Dressed list. Needless to say, we're so excited to have access inside this visionary's mind. 

Let's see what gets the man behind the fashion going.

What was the first sign that this career path was your destiny?
Being on set with Terry Richardson and shooting Katy Perry's first album cover. It was such a good feeling; it just felt very surreal. What's really incredible is that Katy and I had only met a few months before. She vouched for me to be on that shoot, and we've been working together ever since.

Where do you get inspired?
I turn to the treadmill at the gym. I listen to music and then run for my life. I get so many ideas while I run. It's a total First Wives Club moment à la Goldie Hawn's character, Elise Elliot, who always got her best ideas on the treadmill (#twins!). The endorphins get going, and the ideas come in; it's when my mind is at its most clear and sharp. I can just really concentrate.

What's the best piece of advice you ever got?
I don't know about the "best piece of advice" but I'd definitely give a lot of credit to the people I've surrounded myself with. The saying "birds of a feather" is very legit, and I'm very lucky in the aspect that I've been blessed with some really amazing friends and family, all of whom have been incredibly supportive, present and also inspiring. The company you keep is vital in many different ways, but always be mindful of that, and then I think anything is really possible. Choose your friends wisely!

Thirty years down the road, where do you see yourself?
Old but still kicking ass. It's hard for me to sit still, and even when I'm older, I have big plans for that stage of my life. I'll definitely have a family with children. Still a home in LA, but also like an old furry bear of a man, I'd love to own a bed and breakfast somewhere beautiful like Montana, with a little diner attached called The Jam. A big hearty breakfast (diner style) with a wide array of jams that you can purchase made from scratch—and love, of course! Jellies and good jams (as in the music).

Adjacent to that, I'd also like to have a local hardware store; I'd name it "Big Ken" after my father. I'd want it to sit atop the cutest little town square street—think of a backdrop (like Runaway Bride or House Guest). Random references, I know, but I'm a huge movie buff and I've always loved little curated towns like that—so much character and charm. 

What was your biggest obstacle in your way toward fulfilling your dream?
Money. When I decided to focus on a career in styling and costume design, I quit acting and modeling. I quit assisting and all other things that made me money. Because of that, there was a big chunk of time where I worked my butt off and was struggling financially to get my company off the ground. Many nights I was awake wondering how I'd put gas in my jeep in order to run around and be able to prep for jobs. Collecting change to buy a sandwich. Panicking when a store would have to put a hold on my credit card to pull things. I kept telling myself, "It's gonna pay off. It's gonna pay off."

What was your biggest fashion mistake growing up?
I wouldn't call it a mistake. More like an experiment. I went to an all-boys private Catholic high school. I know, hot right? Anyway, it was all about being preppy and wearing Abercrombie. I would wear a polo under a button-down…double collar. Sometimes in the winter, it was a turtleneck, then a polo, with a button-down. That being said, I would say I was going more with the trends, verses expressing what my individual style actually was.

If you could give the you who was just starting out any advice, what would it be?
"You're gonna have to work hard and sleep less, but your dreams will come true. Believe in yourself and anything you imagine can be your reality." Oh yeah, and I'd tell myself, "Unless you wanna be bald at 30, start taking action and the proper preventative measures NOW!" #imissHairStyles

If your craft was a song, what song would it be?
"She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Curling up on the couch at home and watching Saved by the Bell with a bowl of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch in the vicinity.

If you could only wear one thing for a year, what would it be?
Cozy pants—the right fit, something you can sleep in AND go out to dinner wearing, the 24-hour pant, day to night, the dream.

Who is your style muse?
MALE: The character of Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles (a total John Hughes classic, such a good movie if you haven't seen it) and JFK Jr.

FEMALE: Katy Perry, Kate Mara.

Who is your dream client and why?
I love this question because my honest answer is so random. I would love to style Vanna White for like a week's worth of Wheel of Fortune shows. I can completely imagine transforming her in couture gowns, as she chicly turns those letters around and stomping from one side of the stage to the other.

Who has been your favorite person to style so far?
Naomi Campbell. I mean, growing up and having those brat pack of models completely take over at a time when fashion was so raw. That was an incredibly exciting time.

What do you feel is your style signature?
Adventurous—I love to push it and play. To make a statement and get a reaction. Get people talking. But if you mean "signature pieces" in my style, then it's high tops, jeans, typically a tank top, and, of course, a baseball cap.

What song do you jam out to when you're working?
Ohhhh, that's a good one! It depends on what's happening musically at the moment! I'm a huge fan of SoundCloud. Certain stations and people's personal mixes just really set the tone, but that depends on what mood you're in. So if you're a fellow music lover like myself, I highly suggest getting yourself an account and discovering a bunch of stuff that you might not even know exists, and connecting with people who also like similar sounds as you. That would be my best tip for the latest and greatest! Some of my personal favorites when working are ‘90s dance, totally go old-school, or clubby bass-heavy beats.

What is one style trend you wish would make a comeback?
Mmmm, with such an emphasis and celebration being concentrated on individualism, I feel like no style trend, (past or present) is being left unturned as of late. It's really a fashion boiler plate, if you will—a style buffet. I don't even think people are so focused on trends as they used to be. I think it's important to stay cognizant of what's going on currently, and nothing makes that easier than Instagram—it's all just right at your fingertips!

What is the biggest misconception about what you do?
I think people think of styling as being more glamorous than it is, and mind you it has its perks, but it is a LOT of hard work. There's so much involved in what anyone sees as a final image. It really is a blood, sweat and tears industry.

What's an embarrassing tidbit about yourself? 
Ha, I don't really think I have any. I'm a pretty transparent person, and I like to put it all out there, including the "embarrassing" things. We're all human and we all have our little quirks; the more we share that with one another, the closer you can become with people. I truly love connecting with people; it's a big part of my job. But when you take away that veil and genuinely share with someone else, then there's nothing to be embarrassed about.

If you're stranded on an island, what are three things you would take with you?
Music. Knife. Fire.

What's a lazy Sunday look like for you?
Sleep in a bit. Morning cartoons. Flea market. Vintage shopping. Maybe a movie. All while wearing cozy pants.

What's your fashion pet peeve?
Anything that doesn't feel authentic, and that's something that you just know innately when you actually see it. Someone "pretending" to be someone else. When people are real and confidant, it's just refreshing, and I think the same goes for fashion. There's a certain comfort and confidence that someone has when they're wearing who they are on the outside, and you can't help but just appreciate that!

Is there a "fashion rule" or style trick everyone should live by?
I would just tie it in to the above: Be yourself and KNOW your body, know what looks good on your shape. Once "you" start dressing as you, and educate yourself about silhouettes, shapes, balance, fabrics, colors, etc., than the world is your fashion oyster!