For the designer behind Jonni Seams, starting over wasn't about becoming someone new, it was about returning to the person he'd always been.

After years of feeling disconnected from his creativity, Jonathan Alaniz chose to embrace the imagination and individuality that once defined him, transforming childhood wonder into handcrafted fashion that tells a story.

Today, through Jonni Seams, he channels his passion into thoughtful design, proving that every creation begins long before the first stitch. His journey is a reminder that starting over isn't about erasing the past; it's about reclaiming the parts of yourself that deserve to be seen.

In this conversation, Jonathan reflects on creativity, craftsmanship, and the promise he made to live authentically. From rediscovering his artistic voice to building a life that feels entirely his own, his story is a testament to the beauty of creating without compromise.

The Fresh Start Interview: Jonni Seams

Jonathan: Hello! My name is Jonathan alaniz but i often go by Johnny, im 22 years old born and raised in the RGV. I'd like to describe myself as an overcoming person that can find something new in the old and broken, especially when it comes to my creative drive. Ever since i was a little kid i’ve always had the spark of creativity id turn old clothes into new toys to play with or simply throw ingredients into a bowl and suddenly have a fresh batch of cookies around this time i also took up drawings and probably wasn’t good at it then but i’m sure my skills aged like wine. My grandma is the person i give all the credit to when it comes to inventiveness, it was at her house where i could let my imagination soar, she actually gave me my first mini sewing kit i used to the bone.

Q) Every artist has a story. How would you introduce yourself, and what creative passions have shaped who you are today?

Jonathan: The art of starting over for me means giving yourself a second chance to find your way of living, of course not to pretend the bad never happened or try to completely invent this new person from scratch. From the start of middle school to the end of high school it felt as if I was slowly losing my ingenuity. That wonder and creativity slowly seeped into the background. 

The people I surrounded myself with down to the content I'd consume was so far off the way I used to imagine and I took it as one's mind growing but it felt more of a way to conceal the person I wanted to be. That realization is where I'd like to think I started to embrace my quirks and individuality and create a life that felt like mine and not one i borrowed  

Jonathan: When high school was coming to an end, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't be concealed behind a mask I didn't mean to create. For so long, I had molded my personality and being around the stereotypes and expectations that others had placed on me. I focused too much on fitting into this persona I figured would be easier to understand rather than who I wanted to be, but leaving that school and a few of those people behind I knew I could start a new chapter of my life.

Within that promise, I knew I wanted to live by my own rules and do what I wanted, when I wanted, and how I wanted to without having to seek that sense of validation from others that really wasn't needed. This wasn't just a promise to do whatever my mind feels like it became a pillar to rediscovering myself as I began to reconstruct my life in a way I decided without feeling judged or misread. 

Jonathan: For me each creation I make has its own set of steps which of course I've found my favorite step in each of them. Sewing for example, my favorite part isn't the designing or the final product. It's always been after cutting each piece and pinning everything together and being able to see your work and how the project already takes its shape and gives you the taste of what you're bringing to life. 

Jonathan: Every stitch plays an important role in creating any project but the process begins way before the needle is even threaded. My brain is my surprise tool that helps me later , my brain plays the most important part in creating anything because it has to develop a design, theorize colors, gather supplies but it initially starts when i begin to imagine what it is in creating whether it be an intricate garment or simple accessory imagination is my guide from start to finish. 

Jonathan: Currently I'm working on finding my theme and the overall vibe I plan on going for when it comes to making a collection, I've been blessed with working with Mindflo in creating a secret collection of some handmade pieces to bring some exposure and authenticity to the Mindflo community as well as myself which i can wait to share when the time comes. 

Jonathan: “But does growing up just change your body? Or also your soul?” -BMO 

I used to always think of this quote when I felt I was losing myself with age, because like he said, does our soul change too? Of course growth is always for the best but sometimes you lose the parts that make you YOU, it's always important to take that time to yourself and find that part of you, you may have forgotten about the parts that used to bring you joy.  

Jonathan’s story is a reflection on what it means to create from a place of authenticity. Rather than searching for a new identity, he chose to reconnect with the imagination that had always been waiting for him. Through handmade design and thoughtful craftsmanship, he reminds us that every stitch carries a story.

As Jonni Seams continues to evolve, so does the vision behind it. What began as a childhood spark has grown into a creative journey rooted in individuality, purpose, and the confidence to follow your own path.

At Mindflo, we believe every fresh start has a story worth telling. Jonni's is a reminder that the most beautiful transformations happen when we stop creating the life others expect of us and begin creating one that truly feels like our own.

FOLLOW JONATHANS JOURNEY AS HE CONTINUES TO CREATE, INSPIRE, AND BRING HANDCRAFTED DESIGNS TO LIFE THROUGH JONNI SEAMS.