Johana Hernandez Brings Glaudi Design & Fame to Downey
Johana Glammed Up - - Ms. Hernandez started her program with a video presentation of her clothing line and history. It was an impressive presentation, and the only concern was that Brian Saylors showed just a little too much interest in the evening gown presentation. (Getty Images)
This Past Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Well, surprise surprise! For those of you that thought the only celebrities to come out of Downey were Metallica’s James Hetfield, or The Carpenters, we met another last Tuesday, and thankfully, this one isn’t another from the music industry. Johana Hernandez is a local Downey woman, and the owner and designer of the Glaudi fashion brand.
Ms. Hernandez was personable, knowledgeable about her craft, and, unless she stole all of the designs in her Downey shop, she’s obviously very creative and talented (two skills your Hub Bub editor will never be accused of possessing).
Conscious of the struggles her parents faced in their home country of El Salvador, Ms. Hernandez is supporting efforts in Central America to help children in poverty.
It struck a number of Rotarian in the Zoom meeting that Ms. Hernandez would make a fine Downey Rotarian. She graciously considered the several suggestions regarding membership, and promised to consider them. Based on initial reactions, she is far too cool to be with the likes of us.
Next Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Women Empowered By Labors of Love (W.E.L.L.)? Our first thought was - what the hell is this all about? This is our Tuesday program? It reminds me of that bizarre title of the 2008 James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. What is a Quantum of Solace?
All joking aside, this is the program title that Ms. Denise Lopez will be discussing at our next Zoom meeting. We can only hope the program content makes more sense than the title. What’s next? We hope to see you all there.
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Rotary President Willy Removed
Yeah, We Know It's Not Willy - and it's photoshopped, but we're inherently lazy here at the Hub Bub.
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The news was as stunning as it was ironic. On the same day that national networks projected Donald Trump would not serve a second term as U.S. President, it was likewise reported that Downey Rotary President Willy Medina has been voted out of office by Downey Rotarians.
At press time, the details were still murky, as a club President generally serves a full Rotary year from July 1 to the following June 30. According to one Downey Rotarian that asked for anonymity, Larry McGrew indicated that “we’re just tired of Willy’s divisive nature and bullying. Also, I don’t care for the width of his ties.”
President Willy has been furiously sending out tweets, primarily claiming that the votes placed from the south side of Firestone Blvd are invalid.
Until all the ugliness is worked out, President Elect Jesse Vargas, if he can be found, will serve the remainder of the Rotary year.
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Lacey Letter To The Patriot
For the second straight week, Downey Rotarian John Lacey submitted a letter to the editor of the local newspaper The Downey Patriot. Either the powers that be at The Patriot are struggling for content, or Mr. Lacey’s message is resonating with readers.
This week, sensing that we needed to turn down the rancor and emotions that seem to permeate Presidential election time, John counseled The Patriot readers to remember the importance of telling those we care about that we love them.
The sentiment is lovely and a Nobel Peace Prize is probably in his near future, but really, doesn’t the whole concept of love belong in a cheap motel room, and not in the local paper?
Either way, John clearly enjoys seeing his name in the paper, and the Hub Bub again extends the offer for Mr. Lacey to share his considerable writing skills to the Downey Rotary newsletter. Yes, the pay is lousy, but the sense of contribution is, well, it’s lousy as well.
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Foundation Celebration Report
Our Esteemed Host -- John Duerler handled Master of Ceremony duties with grace, verve, and Rita.
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This past Saturday marked the annual Foundation Celebration Gala, and, based on our new norm, it was a virtual gathering. The Zoom Gala started promptly at 5pm, unless of course, you were in possession of the ultra-exclusive program that was buried 32 layers deep in the District website, in which case you found out that RI President Holger Knaack made a seven minute presentation, starting at 4:55pm.
Rotarian John Duerler was the Master of Ceremony, apparently selected based on his singing skills on social media. Mr. Duerler did a fine job in an otherwise thankless role as he did battle with technology issues and some reluctant bidders for live auction items. His enthusiasm was great, and the Hub Bub proudly nominates him for the same role next year.
Something Looks Fishy - was anyone else surprised that the raffle ticket winners all had first names starting with the letters "T" and "O", similar to raffle drawers Tom Johnstone and Tori Hettinger? Hmmmm.
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The two hour presentation featured inspirational videos, messages from some of the District big shots, and a 32,000 word presentation from one of The Rotary Foundation Trustees. After that, the bulk of the time was taken with live auction items. At one point, Patricia Megallon made a $5 lowball offer on a Palm Desert condo, and, no surprise, brought shame to Downey Rotary.
The event has projected to generate enough cash for the Foundation to operate through next Thursday. We thank all Rotarians that supported the event with tickets, sponsorships, auction items, or good vibes.
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What The Hell?
Some Strange Auction Items
What is an authentic Steampunk Lamp? And what are you supposed to do in a Rage Room? Apparently, you're not encouraged to ask these difficult questions as you're reviewing the online silent auction items up for bid at the recent virtual Foundation Celebration.
Your Hub Bub editor, who in fact doesn't have a life, actually Googled both items. I came away mightily disturbed, and I suspect that the sale of either item may be in violation of the Hatch Act, the Ernie Regulation, and/or the Zippee Amendment.
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Throwback to a Simpler Time
No, it’s not simply an old throwback photo of a very young John and Suzy Lacey. Per the official biography of 1970’s musical icons The Carpenters, this picture of the Lacey couple was the inspiration for the 1970 music classic, We’ve Only Just Begun.
Sadly, no royalties were paid to the young couple.
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Huh?
Boots On the Ground Event
If you’re wondering why a District Membership seminar is labeled Boots On The Ground, well, don’t look for an answer in the Hub Bub. The November 14 District 5280 event is primarily directed at club membership chairpersons, and getting them familiar with membership skill training and leadership development. The military analogy escapes me, but then again, most analogies are way over my head anyways.
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Letter From the Editor
Either by accident or intent, your Hub Bub editor recently received an email with an invitation to view the latest newsletter by the largest, and some say, most influential club in District 5280. Perhaps the LA5 club President or their esteemed editor wanted to show those of us in the minor league of District publications how a newsletter is supposed to look.
The El Rodeo (issue 18, Volume 112 for those interested) was slickly-produced and had all the background high technology that indicated the folks at LA 5 had lots of resources available in their production process. It sure looked impressive.
That said, it took me a couple of reads to get through Issue 18, not because of the number of pages involved, but mostly because I fell asleep somewhere after page three. I think it was somewhere between club member birthdays and an event that featured smelly socks.
The El Rodeo had the requisite high-quality pictures, and they even coaxed their Club President to write a nice, safe article that took up most of page two. I remember a time, long ago, when I held my breath (and lost consciousness), waiting for a Hub Bub article from our own Downey Rotary President.
In summary, the El Rodeo is clearly a triumph of style overcoming substance. Now, keep in mind the source of this information. This opinion is coming from a guy who edits a Hub Bub that has neither style nor substance.
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SnapShot: A Powerful Downey Latina, Under 30
By Lorine Parks
Young and vivacious, Johana Hernandez was born in Compton and remembers her mother and grandmother, both Salvadorians, working long hours to make beautiful clothes - for other women.
“I want to dress you guys too,” Johana said. “You’re powerful, you’re intellectual, you’re businessmen in Downey.” Program speaker Johana, founder of Glaudi Fashions, had club members vying to invite her join the club, particularly after they saw her men’s line of handsome suits and tailored evening tuxedo, in striking colors and fabrics.
“Oh, and we specialize in Couture Fashion, and Bridal, and we have Mother of the Bride designs,” Johana said, remembering that women are Rotarians too.
“I wanted to be in Downey,” Johana said, and for five years now she has had a shop on Imperial Highway near Paramount, featuring exclusive bridal fashions as well as haute couture dresses, both glam and elegant. The address is a showcase, not a store filled with inventory. “Each gown is made to your measurements,” Johana said.
Johana was been nominated by PEOPLE Magazine en Español in 2014 as "one of 25 most powerful women" and named by Latina Magazine as one of their 30 Favorite Stars under 30.” She has just been added to Who’s Who in America. When I asked, she said she is now just 34.
When the audio on Johana’s video presentation failed – as it often did at Rio Hondo too -she calmly narrated her fashions live. “I commend you for your ad-libbing ability,” said John Lacey,” not knowing Johana has been a fashion critic for Red Carpet events in Los Angeles such as the Emmys, Oscars, Grammys on Univision Telemundo. She is a design judge on The Fashion Hero, the reality TV show airing on Amazon Prime.
“You have the heart and enthusiasm to be a Rotarian,” said Greg Welch. “We want you to join us,” added President Will Medina.
Actually, Rich Strayer was the first to invite Johana, showing how he got his record for bringing in the most members to our club. “I don’t have a lot of time,” Johana said. “But I’ll give it serious thought.”
Johana is serious about her career. While going through school in Compton, she worked with her parents in a dress sweatshop. She then apprenticed for design. At only 19, she earned her first job as a head designer, where her first collection was featured on the Wall Street Journal. At 22, she became head designer of Seven7 Jeans where she also designed for license for Isaac Mizrahi Jeans, Eli Tahari, and many more. Her designs have been sold worldwide at mass retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales.
Johana has a Beverly Hills outlet showroom on Brighton Way. as well as the one in Downey.
I emailed Johana after the morning program, to get more information. Now I have plans to meet her at the Downey showroom and preview some of her collection. Watch this space for details.
Because she is so young and vivacious, I thought she could help us in our appeal for Interact members in the Downey high schools. “I like to influence young people,” Johana said, “and to mentor them to feel empowered to dream big and feel good about their body. I think everyone can express themselves through style and succeed in what they want to achieve, by dressing the right way and feeling confident.”
When I asked where she sources her seamstresses, “They are local, in Los Angeles,” she said. “And we have an atelier in Istanbul, Turkey, and tailors also in Chicago.
As a former business owner, I know that wages are the highest expense. “Can you pay at least the minimum wage and make a profit?” I said. “Yes,” Johana said, “we have all size wages from minimum to more. We have a tight strong team that can wear many hats to be able to run the business strong.”
“We value our team and give them not only a job,” Johana said, “but a family environment. We give them gifts for holidays, to let them know we are always grateful. You need people you trust to grow and be profitable. Our employees are the core of our business.”
GLAUDI was created in 2011 because Johana also wanted to give back to kids who suffer from poverty in poor villages in El Salvador, where her parents where raised. Through GLAUDI and her fundraising organization, Latinos Con Corazon, she was able to build a school with her team in the middle of the Jungle of San Ramon and also provided computers and basic essentials to surrounding schools and orphanage. A remarkable achievement.
One of Johana’s prime objectives has been to free women from the tyranny of the sweat shop. Johana created a brand that doesn’t take advantage of immigrant sewers like they did with her parents, who worked long hours sewing for brands such as Guess, Calvin Klein and Gap. Johana continues giving back by making her collection all in USA to give work to others like her parents, and treating them as family. The GLAUDI name was inspired by Johana’s mother’s name, Gladis.
Johana found her love for fashion, as well as her sense of social injustice, working in the sweatshops with her parents. Now that she is busy establishing her business, Rotary has a category, Young Professionals, that is made for people like her, who don’t have much time at this stage of life for anything outside business, and often don’t have much money to spare from building the business. She has that spirit, of giving back to the community, that would make her so outstanding as a member of Rotary - if only she has the time.
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