Renée Johnson, a New Orleans native, is a fashion designer, costume designer and a modiste. She is the owner and designer of a ladies couture fashion brand, Afri Modiste. Afri Modiste, where culture meets couture is a homage to the culture and traditions she grew up seeing in New Orleans; Not only is Renée interested in preserving the fashion culture of New Orleans, but also in elevating it as seen in her popular, fashion forward illuminated designs.