As part of our “New Rulers” digital series, lensed by Damon Baker and styled by fashion director Nicola Formichetti, STORM LA model D-LO speaks exclusively with VMAN about his Californian upbringing, his vitiligo, and where he seems himself in the next few years of his budding career.

VMAN: For our readers who might not know you (yet!), how would you introduce yourself and what you do?  

D-LO: Hi VMAN! I’m De’Angelo “D-LO” Johnson and I’m a model. 

VM: Tell us, where are you from?

D: I’m originally from the Inglewood, LA area—born and raised for most of my adolescent years. I reside now in the San Fernando Valley in North Hills, California.  

VM: What were you like as a kid? 

D: As a kid I was energetic, active and very “out-and-about” as a youngster. 

VM: What’s your personal relationship with fashion? 

D: My personal relationship with fashion isn’t like a relationship but more like it’s part of me and who I am—It’s me, I am fashion. It really all started with my mother and big sister [who] taught me about colors, which ones go with what, [and] about shoes, so it’s really who I’ve been raised to be.

VM: Aside from modeling, what’s something else that you’re passionate about? 

D: I’m very passionate about basketball [and all] sports really. I’m a competitor and can find competition in anything. 

VM: What inspires you in life? 

D: My inspiration consists of my life story. I’m thankful I have life. I leave with this; if God said everybody throw your problems on the table, then said okay now pick them up and now you have bad health, a bad limp when you walk, or you’re homeless, it’s all how you look at something your perspective.

VM: What’s something about yourself that people would be surprised to know? 

D: Maybe the fact I wasn’t born with vitiligo—it kinda just blossomed when I was around 14 or 15 years old. 

VM: How did the onset of the global pandemic change your outlook on life and/or work? 

D: This pandemic definitely de-railed my previous plans of going to school and making it to the league, getting my degree, and all that but it’s okay—I’m trying to use this golden opportunity as a stepping stone to possibly propel me closer and closer to the vision I have for myself.

VM: What’s the first thing you’re going to do after coming out of quarantine? 

D: First thing is to go to the movies, have nights out with my friends and family, hit up Six Flags, and just get back to the normal things again. 

VM: Where do you see yourself going in the next 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish? 

D: In 5 years, I see a lot of stability in a lot of areas—financially, spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I see a very successful man in myself, having my own assets and things of that nature.