Photo: Courtesy of John Bartlett
In an industry full of dueling divas, big personalities and endless marketing stunts, John Bartlett is a breath of fresh air. Not only have his designs garnered fashion's top honors since launching his namesake collection in 1992 (he won two highly coveted CFDA awards—the Perry Ellis Award for Best
Newcomer in 1993 and Menswear Designer of the Year in 1997), but he remains remarkably down to earth, humble and absolutely dedicated to the guys who wear his clothes.
This month, the out designer opened his first store in Manhattan's West Village, a "general store" that doesn't just hawk his designer duds, but offers a beautifully edited selection of candles, ceramics, and accessories. And Bartlett takes service further—it's common to find him, apron and all, working behind the counter and helping customers face-to-face. It's difficult to imagine Tom Ford taking the time to do the same.
John Bartlett sat down with Out.com's Stylelist for a quick chat about his new shop, the state of fashion and why clothes don't necessarily make the man.
Out Stylelist: What inspired you to open your own store in the West Village?
Photo: Getty Images
John Bartlett: I have always wanted to open my own space—an environment that I could control, create, and meet my customer face to face. I chose the West Village because it is full of social and cultural history—it is bohemian, and dances to a different drummer, like myself. I also chose the West Village because I recently moved there with my hubby who has an incredible fine arts framing and preservation shop down the street from my own shop.
OS: How is your store different than other designer boutiques?
JB: I feel like my shop is more of a general store. I want men of all shapes and sizes to feel comfortable here, to feel welcome to hang out and look at an art book. My hope is that it will have a neighborhood following that grows and grows. I want to be able to greet my customer, know their name, and design with them in mind.
OS: Do you sell more than your own line of clothes?
JB: I sell moderno, a new ceramic line. The pieces are hand made and one of a kind. There is a bull's head on a pedestal, a fist, a barbell vase, and some more pieces to come. I also sell candles of all shapes and sizes in such scents as "fireplace", "tobacco-bark", and "bamboo", great tees that are screen printed by hand, and a line of "rescued luxury fabric" scarves that are handmade by one of my goddesses in the Berkshires...Stuff like that
Check out more Q&A and photos after the jump!
Photo: Getty Images
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