You have come to the right place if you need an inspiring story. This New York-based designer’s success story is the one you want to hear to keep on dreaming big. Ms. Johnson began her fashion career in 1998, soon after graduation. Her success can be attributed to her focus on details and the ability to transmit her free-spirited nature and emotion evoked from her constant travels through clothing. A big part of her 20-year-long recognition as a leading designer also comes from her ability to understand exactly what her client needs and craft beautiful, ultra-wearable, timeless pieces that flawlessly translate the idea of modern femininity.
For the launch of the designer’s SS23 collection, we’ve sat down to discuss her designs, personal life, and tips on getting things done!
We know that you seep inspiration for your designs through your travels and eclectic techniques used worldwide. Are there any particular places that inspired you for this new collection?
Spring/Summer ’23 was particularly informed by the imaginative settings in which artists bring us to. Lee Krasner’s energetic colors and brushwork inspired the impressionistic nature of this season’s palette. Louise Bourgeois’s extraordinary textiles and book Ode à l’oubie conjured the delicate manipulations of fabric—seen in our handknits and crochet inlay pieces.
Do you have your personal favorite from this collection?
I am constantly returning to our hand-crafted pieces—garments that made using ancient-old techniques that are passed down through generations. This season we continued our exploration into hand loomed textiles, crafted by master weavers in India. New dying techniques were developed for our prismatic Shibori twill, made by a women-led collective in Bangalore who use sustainable dying practices and natural fibers.
You started your namesake brand immediately upon your graduation, what advice would you give to young women who are planning to venture out into the fashion industry?
I quickly realised the power of having your own point of view. My advice would be to harness yours. I really started this brand from the heart, making things for myself and for my friends – to a certain extent that remains albeit in a bigger way.
You are a creative, successful business owner living with your family in New York City, sounds like a life many girls dream of! Tell us a little bit about how you balance your personal life and your career. What is it like living and working in such a busy city?
The idea of work-life-balance is still something I’m still learning to master, it seems to forever be a work in progress! I try and incorporate one into another, by bringing my daughter into fittings and having my oldest son intern for us over the summer.
Do you have a styling mantra you live by?
I am always very dressed! But I live many lives in a day and what I wear has to serve me well. Our customer is the same and we hope the collections carry them through life’s sartorial moments. We conflate the somewhat artificial boundaries of what’s for work, the city, for holiday. It’s part of the excitement and creates real freedom to how people wear our clothes.
What are your top three wardrobe staples that are always worth an investment?
What are your top three wardrobe staples that are always worth an investment?
A colorful frock
Jewels – for me, usually antique Victorian but always gold!
A transportive fragrance. I love those from Perfumer H
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A special thank you to Ulla Johnson
