Artist Spotlight: John Estrada
SOMA Celebrates Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Artists
John Estrada — Visual Artist. Creative Director. Curator. Stylist. Entrepreneur. Visionary.
John Estrada Working with NIKE on a Display
REMERCH Neon Sign
John Estrada, also known as John John to family and Jjae to industry, is a true renaissance man on a mission to bring positive change to Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, nearby towns and Essex County as a whole. As we celebrate the concept “As One” in Maplewood for PRIDE Month 2021, John sees it as a theme to extend and unite the county as ONE ESSEX Community.
John wears many hats including that of a designer, artist, curator, stylist, merchandiser, entrepreneur, influencer, and visionary. John is all about creativity, collaboration and community and has a wide-angle lens aimed at art and culture as he hones in on how best to incorporate a myriad of treasures and impactful experiences that bring change and joy into everyday life with an intent to transcend and diminish perceived demographics. It has been his childhood dream to open up a free-form space and neighborly environment where the door is always open.
Not unlike the Nike motto, John’s “Just Do It” attitude helped him to launch during the Covid-19 crises his newest venture, REMERCH — a store, showroom, lifestyle brand, and meeting place for local creatives, residents and youth. One year ago when everyone else was at a standstill quarantining, hunkering down in their nests, and baking sour dough bread, John pushed forward converting an abandoned hair salon on Springfield Avenue Maplewood into a free flowing space for interaction, networking, awareness raising within the setting of a cornucopia of cultural and artisanal finds.
John is currently working with and representing 22 local artists across a variety of disciplines encompassing graphic art, painting, sculpting, knitting, jewelry making and more.
“Our goal is to bring artists and creators together for a distinct collaboration with each of our clients.”
John puts everyone in the forefront and shares a piece of everything that he believes in. Every item he features has a purpose. He is able to keep the prices affordable by working directly with the source and cutting out the middleman. According to John, every home can be beautiful and everyone can feel good and look great regardless of one’s socioeconomic status. John is building a community, introducing products, empowering artists and helping them to market and develop their own brands, “I protect my artists and help them nurture their businesses.”
Familiar with the challenges and insecurities that artists face, John believes everyone has something to offer. For John it all comes down to respect, no matter who you are. As a mentor he critiques and suggests how to make things better and leads artists in the right direction. John believes, “There is beauty in everything; just because it doesn’t fit into my aesthetic doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful.”
Just Do It / Just Don’t Quit Philosophy of NIKE and John Estrada
John Estrada with his a Mixed Media Arts Collage Incorporating Images from Vintage Magazines
REMERCH has something for everyone. “If you walk into my store, I want you to feel the vibe, the energy,” says John. People who shop in his store leave with something that makes them happy at all different price points. Products cover everything from functional pieces such as custom live edge wooden tables, fun mugs, scented candles, rainbow soaps, skin creams and intricate scarves to one-of-a-kind knit creatures, lacquered inset vintage trays, African pillows, ethnic jewelry, fine art and more.
“John has an incredible curatorial eye, a collaborative spirit, and a connection with the community that adds so much to Springfield Avenue and SOMA alike! As an artist whose work is featured at REMERCH, I’ve experienced firsthand his unwavering support of local talent. He’s a good Human.”
A View inside REMERCH. Photo by Lisa Lackey
Selfie of John Estrada and Mixed Media Artist Lisa Lackey at REMERCH with her display wall in the background
Live Edge Table with REMERCH Logo
Tables available by custom order
Painting from REMERCH Top Seller Rachel Arturi Pruzan and African Printed Pillows available at REMERCH, Photo by Lisa Lackey
Rachel Arturi Pruzan (Top Selling Artist at REMERCH) and John Estrada at Valley Arts in Orange, NJ
Under his own design label, Jjae, John has designed men’s shirts, pillows and within the last year, a full line of fitted, fashionable, anti-fog masks. He has a master seamstress on staff for creating original pieces for clients. In addition to bringing artistry to the forefront, John provides styling services to businesses and homeowners.
In stylist mode, John will come to your house, take a full inventory of your home or your closet and work with you to edit, recreate, and restyle your space and/or your wardrobe. And if new pieces or artwork are desired, clients receive a discount at REMERCH and with other special order merchandise and furniture not showcased on site.
Big on reducing his and the fashion industry’s carbon foot print; not only does he walk to his shop—he lives 3 blocks away, but John will up-cycle and repurpose your wardrobe. Give him 7 of your favorite shirts you don’t wear anymore and he’ll fashion you a fantastic dress. Or how about your husband’s suit? Let him transform it into a fabulous funky pants suit. What about your favorite baby clothes your kids have outgrown? It could become a new cherished blanket.
John Estrada’s Clothing Label Logo and industry name, Jjae which stands for the French translation of Jean Jean Angel Estrada
John Estrada in one of his Masks for sale in the store available in 3 different sized and a variety of patterns.
John Estrada with the Trans Symbol, a simple combination of Venus and Mars compound symbol
John is working toward diminishing the racial and economic divide that he saw when he first moved to town which has been slowly retreating, as well as increasing LGBTQ+ awareness and equality. It is important to John that he create an inclusive neighborhood where everyone from divergent backgrounds, countries of origin, race, and sexual orientation/identity feels welcome. In fact REMERCH is a Safespace for Trans Youth, people of color and marginalized individuals to come together and communicate free of bias, conflict, or criticism. John is working with the police department to change the conversation around mental health and create Safespaces.
John’s entry to Maplewood in 2013 was positive and affirming when an 8 year old boy asked him where his husband was. John thrown back and flabbergasted wasn’t used to someone of such a young age understanding or having a conversation about his sexuality. It was refreshing and welcoming, and set the tone for him in his new community.
“The heart of Maplewood is in Town; the Soul of Maplewood is on Springfield Avenue.”
John lives with his husband, Damion Stene, a Film Publicist and they are the only gay couple on their cul-de-sac in what was once referred to as “Maplehood” — not any more. John is spearheading change and a Springfield Avenue revival by attracting diversity of artists and clientele. He is cultivating business and tapping into different markets to meet the changing demand and demographic with a focus of satisfying all customers including those of African and Haitian decent who are underserved.
He is Friends with Marc A. Gaston and his wife Judith A. Gaston who met in Haiti when they were 13 years old and they have been together ever since, both are artists and teachers. Marc teaches art and Judith 3rd grade Social Studies and Language Arts. Marc’s artwork is on display at Valley Arts in Orange, NJ. Judith’s hand crafted jewelry collection, Gifted Hands, is on display at REMERCH. John loves their work and has a private piece from Marc made just for him. John has an affinity for eyes and “Magic Eye” by Marc is a part of John’s personal collection of art seen, in the photo with Judith’s wearable art. Both can be seen in his store — but “Magic Eye” is literally the only thing in the store that’s not for sale.
John does Pop-Up Shops in the enclosed back yard of his retail store, including a Social Impact Pop-Up which raised money for building huts and educating 12 children in the east African country of Tanzania. John is working with Camp Highlight, a community where children of LGBTQ families can connect, grow, and play! A range of camp experiences are fun and encourage campers to be more mature, more community focused, and kinder.
John is a featured member of the the Better Business Bureau and the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce [NGLCC], the business voice of the LGBTQ Community. John is a month-long sponsor of SOMA PRIDE 2021 and SOMA Celebrates Women 2021, and is a partner with Valley Arts, Orange, NJ, where he revamped their gallery for reopening and continually funnels established and up-and-coming artists to be showcased. John is digging deep and seeking sponsorship for MEND (Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity).
Marc Anthony Gaston is a local artist who was Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, He is currently an art educator in the state of New Jersey and his work was recently featured in the Valley Arts District
Wearable Artwork and Hand Crafted Jewelry from Judith A. Gaston of Gifted Hands, and in the Center “Magic Eye,” Oil on Canvas, by Marc A. Gaston, from John Estrada’s Personal Art Collection
Judith A. Gaston, Teacher, Artist and Owner of Gifted Hands
REMERCH Booth at The Maplewood Record and Music Extravaganza by Elusive Sounds at The Woodland, 2019 prior to the opening of REMERCH on Springfield Avenue
John Estrada at the MTV Music Video Awards Donning FEIGN, the 1st Genderless Clothing Line Designed by Jene Stefaniak
An exhibitor at The Maplewood Record and Music Extravaganza by Elusive Sounds in 2019, John looks forward to representing artists at the next event at The Woodland on November 14, 2021.
John is working on a street fair for the oranges and also to bringing a International Night Bazaar to Springfield Avenue this Summer on one or more Sunday evenings with music, food, and products from local artists and Springfield Avenue businesses — more information to come so stay tuned.
He has so much energy and it’s no surprise that in his early 40’s his successful career has taken a number of turns. John goes from local to global in an instant. Over the past 20 years, John has worked for numerous well-known companies such as Nike’s New York City Headquarters, and Design Recipes with Cathy Hobbs. His magic has appeared on “Million Dollar Listings”.
John and his nephew visited the Wendy Williams show and had an impromptu interview. Many of John’s clients are music artists such as Nas, Kelis, Deee-Lite, and Lady Miss Kier. In 2019 John, as an honored guest at the MTV Video Music Awards, was the first to debut, parade around in, and bring attention to FEIGN, the then newly launched and first of its kind genderless clothing line designed by Jene Stefaniak.
John Estrada and Nephew attend the Wendy Williams Show
John Estrada with Dexter
John and Damion live with their Dog Dexter and their two cats Elle and Butchie. John loves trying new foods, a glass of wine with neighbors, and good conversation. Although he doesn’t sleep much, John meditates every morning, often in his backyard, and can be seen escaping to the beach or South Mountain Reservation to hike or to read a book.
“Those moments feed all the energy and everything I am doing here so that it doesn’t feel like work. The moment it does, I need the beach, or the wilderness, or a visit with my mom and sister in Florida to get myself grounded.”
John Estrada with Mom and Sister in Florida Getting Grounded
John Estrada with Butchie
John Estrada Enjoying Love and Time with Family
John Estrada as a Young Boy in a Children’s Broadway Theater Production by Ta Da. (He is the left side with both hands in the air.)
Stage & Style Director’s Chair Interview with John Estrada
Some of the Companies John Estrada Styles and Merchandises
John Estrada is a Stylist for Nike New York
REMERCH
1843 Springfield Ave, Suite C
Maplewood, NJ 07040
johnestrada@remerch.net
www.remerch.net
Instagram: @REMERCHLLC
REMERCH is also available on Houzz.com
REMERCH Packaging
John was born on 12th Street on the lower east side of New York to a low-income family. The youngest of 6 kids with a mom, a dad, a step dad and lots of grandparents, there was so much love that John didn’t know that he was poor. His mom and dad worked hard to move the family to a nice house in Staten Island. His mom is a retired Judge and his father still works for FEMA. Talk about diversity: his mom is French, his dad and stepfather are Puerto Rican, he was raised Jewish and he studied with Buddhist monks. His husband Damion is also Jewish. John’s mixed background helps to explain his propensity and advocacy for diversity.
Even as a young child John was destined for the arts and participated in Ta Da, a Children’s Broadway Theater Company in New York. He graduated from a catholic school, Saint Peter’s Boys High School in Staten Island. John studied merchandising, marketing and fashion design at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in California. While in college he found a job as a receptionist at a hair salon in West Hollywood and within a month he became the manager and redesigned the store. Before John became a sought after celebrity stylist and design guru for “Million Dollar Properties,” he was a worldwide representative for a high-end mannequin company from Germany. Later he managed 75 stores for Sports Authority. John is a senior stylist for Cathy Hobbs “Design Recipes”. You can often catch them Sunday mornings at 11am on channel 4 reviewing Million Dollar Listings styled and staged by John, Cathy’s top stylist. John has a long list of companies he styles and merchandises for including 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures and VYBE to name a few.
Husbands Damion Stene and John Estrada Enjoying Time Together in Paris, France
John Estrada
Story by Lisa Mainardi, Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture
John Estrada is a member of SOMA Arts Registry, a free online hub serving Maplewood, South Orange and neighboring towns. It focuses on artists, arts professionals and arts organizations, with the goal to extend their local, regional and national market reach. SOMA Arts Registry was created by the Township of Maplewood and Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture to support the local arts community.