John Bartlett On His New Liz Claiborne Gig
Submitted by The Fashion Informer Blog
After learning that John Bartlett had been tapped to revitalize Liz Claiborne’s men’s sportswear collection (the line, Claiborne by John Bartlett, will hit department store shelves in spring 2009), The Fashion Informer tracked down the always-charming designer to get the scoop.
So how did the collaboration come about?
I happily got a call from Tim Gunn and went in to talk to him and his colleagues about coming onboard and taking creative possession of the brand. I had always wanted to work with the Liz Claiborne company and with Tim, as well.
How are you hoping to revitalize the line, aesthetically, and who is the new customer you’re hoping to attract (e.g., what’s broke and how do you envision fixing it)?
I am spending the next weeks analyzing the business and trying to refocus and update the product from the inside out - the make, the details, the fabrics. I am inheriting a very well-produced product with great fit that needs a bit of soul and TLC. I’m also heading out to the stores across the country to meet the customer firsthand.
How is the Liz Claiborne customer different from the John Bartlett customer, and how do the lines themselves differ?The Liz Claiborne guy and the John Bartlett guy are both looking for great, well-fitting, sexy clothes that are relevant to their lives. Both guys have real bodies and appreciate quality and authenticity. The lines will differ in many ways, price being one of them, but the approach for both is similar.
Will you keep your new West Village store open and continue doing your own line in addition to designing for Claiborne?
John Bartlett is alive and well. My store and wholesale business are flourishing, and I’m enjoying the retail lifestyle.
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