When JoAni Johnson stepped in front of the camera, time seemed to stop. Her unique long hair, elegant poise, and deep sense of self mean she is a symbol of what it means to age on one’s own terms in 2025. Yet for Johnson, beauty has never been about age or status. Instead, it’s about authenticity and the quiet confidence that comes from living a life full of passion. 

During this shoot, Johnson found herself immersed in a new world of colour and expression. “As a native New Yorker, most of my wardrobe consists of black and white,” she says warmly. “The MADAME Arabia photo shoot, with its bold and colourful styling, allowed me to experience the joy colour can bring to an outfit! The mixing and matching of bright hues and bedazzled garments has influenced me to wear more colour since the shoot.”

The vibrant palette was chosen to celebrate the joy of reinvention. It’s a theme that has run through every chapter of Johnson’s life, from her late-blooming modelling career (which began after a street photographer captured a shot of her)  to her dual passions as a tea blender and jewellery designer.

“I’ve always considered myself a creative problem-solver,” the multi-talented New Yorker explains. “As a Tea Blender, I work with clients as both an educator and creator.” Johnson’s relationship with tea is far from superficial. “I’ve travelled to India, Japan, and Taiwan, where tea grows. I’ve picked and processed the leaves myself. The art of blending comes from understanding the flavour profiles of each leaf and what enhances or transforms them.”

Each of her creations is a meditation, the result of an intricate process of alchemy. “When working with clients to develop a signature tea, the process begins with a consultation to establish which profile interests them: tea or herbal, light or dark flavour,” she says. “From there, I suggest leaf combinations and begin sampling.”

That same reverence for craft flows into her jewellery design. “My jewellery design also encompasses my love of tea,” she smiles. “I wanted to adorn myself with jewellery that reflected my passion. Many of my pieces are designed to look like a leaf. I use crochet and polymer clay to create wearable art.” Her earrings, necklaces, and brooches each pay homage to the beauty of imperfection.

Although her presence in fashion feels inevitable, Johnson’s journey into modelling was anything but traditional. “When I was younger, I wanted to model and be part of fashion,” she recalls. “At the time, the requirements were stringent, and my height did not meet them. This was also a time when models of colour were just beginning to be accepted.”