Thrown Under The Bus: Behind the Scenes With ful Tour Luggage: Katy Perry's Stylist, Johnny Wujeck

Everyday you see svelte starlets and musicians grace the red carpet and wonder, how they can look so perfect? Although many of them are naturally beautiful and have the metabolism of gazelles, one must also remember they usually have an Escalade full of experts on their side, including makeup artists, hair stylists, and trainers. But one person in particular who serves as a star's secret weapon - breathing life into the artist's overall look, inventing (and reinventing, if necessary) his or her public image, and transforming him or her from just "another really pretty person" to stunning icon - is the stylist.






















Katy Perry at MET Costume Institute Gala

FUL had the pleasure of talking to one of the most in-demand stylists on both coasts, Johnny Wujek, who has dressed the likes of Kate Mara, Rachel Bilson, and most notably, Katy Perry, the singer who continues to land on the best dressed lists of both fashion critics and fans. We interviewed him while he was in NYC getting Katy ready for the MET Costume Institute Gala. Check out his insider tips on how to make Katy look smashing despite her hectic schedule below:

FUL: Hi Johnny, thanks for meeting with us. I know that the MET Costume Gala is a huge deal in fashion. Can you tell us about Katy's look?

JW: We were all set on the Dolce & Gabbana fall collection finale gown, but Tommy Hilfiger originally invited Katy to the gala. So, we made a last second decision to dress her in Tommy. The dress is an interesting shade of blue and futuristic... very modern lines. It's cool.

FUL: We loved Katy's red carpet look for the Grammys, very vintage glamor. We read that he wasn't a well-known designer. How did you decide on him?
JW: His name is Basil Soda, a Lebanese designer. I was at a fashion gifting suite a couple days before the Grammys and came across the design. It was so amazing! I couldn't believe someone hadn't picked it up. I had to have it because it was so Katy, but I didn't get it for her to wear to the event though. She was already set to wear another designer. The next day (the day before the Grammys), the dress Katy was supposed to wear arrived. Well, it looked unfinished, kind of like the everyday type of dress you'd see at a prom. So, I got the Basil Soda out of the backseat of my car. When I showed it to her she fell in love with it and that was that.






















Katy in a pink Basil Soda Gown at The Grammy's

FUL: So, it seems like looks can change last second?
JW: Absolutely. I think I'm pretty easy going and it's critical you just roll with the changes in this job.

FUL: So how did you get your start as a stylist?
JW: I moved out to San Fran from Michigan 10 years ago to go work for a dot com start-up (kind of like a Cosmo girl). I didn't quite know what I wanted to do, but I always, always had a love for fashion and this job brought me one step closer to LA. I then moved to LA and supported myself with modeling and commercial acting. I started making friends, networking. One of my friend's cousins was working on the movie Wonderland, the one where Val Kilmer plays porn star, John Holmes. The stylist on the set was Maryam Malakpour, who has dressed icons like the Rolling Stones, White Stripes. So, for two months my friend and I worked for free on the set and then worked for eight months as her assistant. We learned a lot from her and people started to notice our work.

FUL: How did you make the jump from assistant to business owner?
JW: A few years ago I incorporated and formed John Solo, Inc. My first solo job wasn't glamorous by any means. I styled five, twelve-year-old kids for a Campbell's Soup commercial. But from there I continued to get styling jobs for commercials and print.

FUL: How did you and Katy start working together?
JW: A couple of years ago I was at a random fashion party and I was introduced to her. It turns out we had tons of mutual friends and hit it off. We continued to talk and she began to ask me to dress her for events. We would try on different looks for her in the garage. It was fun. Then she asked me to go with her to NYC to shoot her first album cover. So I went and we visited costume houses, shopped together, went to fittings. It was before her huge success so she had time to visit these places. Anyway, we shot the album cover and seven months later she went with another label. So, we didn't use the album cover material, but we got to do it again for One of the Boys.























Katy teases the crowd with her "lips" purse at Paper Magazine's The Beautiful People Party 2009 on April 9, 2009 in New York City.

FUL: Do you have anybody you really want to style? We know you are really sought after. How do you decide whom to dress?
JW: I don't really have a particular person I want to style. I look at each person's style as a challenge. The challenge, which I love, is that I need to create a look, but it must fit that individual's personality and vision. I have a roster of girls and decide based on my availability.

FUL: How do you define your personal style?
JW: Funny you ask. I was just thinking that I need to spend more time on my look. It's usually jeans and the same pair of sneakers. Honestly, I get way more excited about dressing other people. That's how it should be though.

FUL: We noticed you have a distinctive tattoo on your arm. Any meaning behind it?
JW: Yeah, they're hot air balloons. I've just always loved them. Never rode in one, but my artist friend drew this for me. I colored it in a couple of days ago. I'm happy with it, it's inspiring.

FUL: I heard you were coming out with a women's shoe line. Tell us about it.
JW: Last year I collaborated with a shoe manufacturer who had a line, Modern Vintage, to design Johnny Wujek for Modern Vintage. So, in 2010 I'm starting my own line, mostly high heels, platforms. Shoes are a passion.

FUL: Can you give us some advice for those interested in becoming a successful celebrity stylist?
JW: First step is you have to decide what market you want to go after. If you don't live in LA or NYC, there is still opportunity to dress the influential people of whatever city you live in. But, if you want to dress actresses and musicians, you are going to have to move. Once you move, you have to submerge yourself in the culture and network. And it's hard. The first month was brutal, but I knew I wanted this and there was no going back. Meeting people and following up is key. I live on my Blackberry so I'm always available to my clients. I also recommend reading and researching. I read WWD, Style.com, and lots of other sites and mags every day.

FUL: Awesome talking to you, Johnny. One more question, the one we always end on. What do you carry in your ful bag?
JW: First off, I love these bags. I gave one to Katy because she always has a lot of stuff she carries with her. Now, in my Tennman bag I have my clothes, magazines, laptop, high-heels (for Katy and my upcoming shoe line), and gifts to give my clients. There is a ton of stuff in here and it zips no problem. Nice.