Shopping with John Bartlett
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: Courtesy of John Bartlett
OS: How does the store's design compliment your collection?
JB: It has a smart, sexy and humble design.
OS: Do you work at the store everyday?
JB: I will be at the store at least 5 days a week.
OS: That's pretty uncommon in the fashion world. I can't imagine Tom Ford working at his own store. Can I come down for a makeover? I could use one.
JB: Yes! Please come down and let me fit you in some incredibly sexy leather pants.
Photo: Courtesy of John Bartlett
OS: Be careful what you wish for! Tell me about your fall line. How would you describe it?
JB: My fall collection is classic JB—military mixed with Ivy League.
OS: What do you wear to work?
JB: I wear more or less the same thing everyday—khakis, a white shirt, a tie and my work apron.
OS: The apron is a nice touch! What are a few common mistakes that you see guys make when getting dressed?
Photo: Getty Images
JB: Guys either wear their clothes too big thinking they are a large when they are actually a medium or they wear them way too tight and look like a 40 year old trying to look 20 again. Dressing one's age is sexy—not boring!
OS: Clothes that are too tight bother me, too! People end up looking like sausages. What trend would you like to stop?
JB: Cargo shorts should be banned.
OS: You're a man after my own heart! What current trend do you enjoy seeing in men’s fashion?
JB: Guys wearing ties. I wear them with my jeans and with shorts. It is dressy and a way to make a statement.
OS: What are some must-haves for Fall?
JB: The perfect fitted button down shirt, a chocolate brown leather jacket, peak lapel blazers that you wear with khakis or jeans
OS: What makes a man sexy? Do the clothes really make the man?
JB: It has nothing to do with his clothes. Sexy is about the perfect combination of confidence and humility. Being a man is about treating everyone with respect while knowing yourself and not hiding behind what you think you should be...just be.
OS: How do you feel about the sudden flood of celebrity designers?
JB: On one hand, I find it frustrating—don’t they have enough already (Laughs)? But on the other hand, it is a sign of our culture and I think that certain people want to get as much of their favorite celebrities as they can...so why not?
John Bartlett NY is located at 143 Seventh Avenue South in New York City.
For more on John Bartlett, visit his website.
And check out Q&As from QueerSighted, Fashion Informer and New York Magazine.
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