These days retail launches are no big deal. Lets face it, every hedge fund and their brother is backing some house wife to open not only a fashion house, but usually a giant retail space to put their thumb print on the business. With all things considered, the opening of John Bartlett's boutique on 7th Avenue South is all the more welcomed.

Bartlett was born in Cincinnati and has a Harvard education. While he looks like the preppy guy next door you might have grown up with, that is just one facet of this very talented guy. Since the launch of his Menswear collections in the mid nineties, he has always pushed the boundaries of traditional men's fashion. His irreverent use of color and proportions brought him a healthy amount of attention from the fashion press and the industry players. With big budget Italian backers John launched a Women's collection in 97. The press was a double edged sword however, as he was published constantly but editorials didn't pull in the dollars.
Like many of his peers (Tom Ford and Victor Alfaro to name two), Bartlett took some time off to clear his mind and gain a perspective on the next chapter of his life. A year of travel and studying buddhism definitely agreed with him.

This time around, John is focusing on Menswear- which was always his strength. The great things about John is that his looks are wearable for your fashion fabulous guy friends, but will also be appreciated by your boyfriends or husbands. It doesn't matter if they are investment bankers or house painters - guys will like this line. John is one of those people that make you proud of fashion design. He is influenced by artists and culture and his life experiences show up in his work.

How refreshing to be able to shop in a store that was not cooked up in a corporate boardroom and imagined after a marketing study! John has a great idea of what men want to wear and how things should fit.

The store itself could be an editorial layout for home decor magazine. The wide plank floors and copper fixtures give a masculine feel that would welcome any guy that wants to find some great looking clothes.

John Bartlett is located at 143 7th Avenue South, New York, NY 10014
(212) 633-6867