My partner is nine years younger. It’s the most aligned I’ve been with anyone

Johnny Schembri is best known as the designer and founder of the fashion label By Johnny. Here, the 38-year-old talks about the important women in his life, including working with both his mother and sister.

Johnny Schembri says he’s finally found love, with his Spanish-born partner, David.

Both my grandmothers came to Australia in the 1950s from Malta. My maternal grandmother, Carmen, arrived as a single woman, while my paternal grandmother, Lola, came alone and waited for her husband to arrive. They all lived in the same street, so my grandparents grew up as family friends.

Carmen taught me to sew. I spent a lot of time with her as a kid. She loved making clothes for her grandchildren and was a very calming presence. The pieces she made were beautiful, but all we wanted were store-bought clothes.

Lola was a strong woman who moved in with us when I was seven. She did the school drop-offs and pick-ups while my parents worked. She taught us how to cook; nowadays, I cook to de-stress. She passed away when I was 19.

Mum [Madelene] was born in the mid-1960s and lived down the road from my dad, Joe. Her parents were very strict. Dad worked as a mechanic and ran his own businesses. He had his share of girlfriends but heard there was a “good girl” down the road. My grandmothers arranged for them to meet. A movie date turned into more and nine months later they married. Mum was 19 and had me at 21.

Mum is the money minder in my business and keeps a close eye on every dollar. She’s a quiet lady who is strong in her own way, and very patient. I get my determination from her.

My sister, Renee, and I are very close. She is two years younger than me. As teenagers, we used to love dancing while watching Rage or Video Hits. She was very social and butted heads with Dad more than I did.

My celebrity crush growing up was Peter Andre. I danced around Dad’s workshop listening to his songs.

I always felt comfortable around girls, and they felt comfortable around me. I didn’t want to kiss a girl or be in a relationship with one, but ended up kissing a friend during schoolies.

I had a girlfriend in year 12. She was very creative and we were partners in crime. I loved gifting her things and we shopped together. We were more like girlfriends than boyfriend and girlfriend and were inseparable for two years.

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I kissed a boy when I was about 14. All my girlfriends really loved him. I didn’t really talk about how I felt about him to anyone.

Dad wanted me to be an architect, but I didn’t get the marks. I secretly applied to fashion school at TAFE and got in. I was sheepish and didn’t want to bring fashion projects home. Only once I started doing well did I flip the switch. My dresses were inspired by Princess Diana – my mum loved her.

My fashion teacher, Vicky Mazzeo, was pivotal to my career. She opened the creative door for me to trust the process and do what I wanted to do.

My sister came on board with my By Johnny business after I did Project Runway in 2011 [Schembri came third]. She started cold-calling stores and was bold in her approach.

When Australian model Shanina Shaik wore a pink By Johnny gown in 2017, it sold out quickly. I have dressed many amazing women over the years, but this moment really stood out.

I was in a relationship from the age of 29 to 35, but it didn’t work out. Two years ago, I met my partner, David, who’s from Spain and is nine years younger than me. We both have a love of fashion. He works for Louis Vuitton, is very good with clients and loves what he does.

David’s calm energy is one of the things I love most; he brings peace to any room he walks into. He’s quite a breath of fresh air and we both love to travel. It’s the most aligned I have been with anyone.

Johnny Schembri’s new workwear line, The Service Club, is out now.

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