JOHN BARTLETT - THE LONG AND WINDING ROGUE

JOHN BARTLETT - FASHION DESIGNERNew York fashion designer John Bartlett has never done things the easy way.  His fashion collection made waves from it's debut in the early 90's.   Bartlett designed his menswear collections with color and detail that was unlike most at the time.   Not feminine at all, in fact masculine, rugged, and classic.  In the uber conservative world of menswear,  however, not the norm.   Menswear designers were used to putting on their industry blinders when it was time to choose colors and add details. 

CLAIBORNE BY JOHN BARTLETTIvy league educated, Mr. Bartlett was obviously smart enough to know he was not taking the short road to any career success he might have mapped out in his head.   His determination to do things - as they should be done, won him kudos and respect from editors and buyers.   It also gained him the attention of Donnatella Girombelli, a Fellini-esque Italiana who ran the GENNY/BYBLOS fashion house.   Bartlett's collection would be backed by GENNY and produced in Italy in the late 90's.   John took the opportunity at the time to add Women's RTW to his runway.  (Genny had state of the art production facilities.   In fact, when Genny eventually went up for sale - Prada bought the house primarily for the factories).   Stylish and urban - John Bartlett's collection for women made sense.  JOHN BARTLETT WOMENS PREVIEW

As is the case with so many of the Italian-American fashion partnerships, it didn't last.   Someone should do that fashion movie one day.   The obscure Italian fashion houses - and the characters that run them!   Directors out there, here's three - Marriuccia Mandelli of Krizia, Donnatella Girombelli of Genny, and Mama Gerani of Iceberg.  The movie practically writes itself!

Fast forward to 2010.   Bartlett is fresh off a collaboration with Claiborne that saw him take his Men's collection to the masses in a way John had never done before.   The collection was clean and upbeat, and embraced by those that got their hands on the pieces.   I found myself fighting my way through the crowds of Herald Square to look for the collection at Macy's!   

Now with his own namesake boutique on 7th Avenue in Greenwich Village, Bartlett has the perspective of a seasoned veteran.   His decision to bring back his Women's collection for his Fall 2010 has garnered much anticipation by those following the New York fashion scene.   There are few designers that have a unique perspective and a narrative to tell.   John Bartlett is one of them.RG / JB T-SHIRT

A collaboration with Rogues Gallery has also developed a cult following for the cool T-shirts and bags that are available at the John Bartlett Retail Store.  Visit the website to shop for the men in your life- and ladies, you can hold your breath - Women's is coming shortly!!  

Shop on-line today.  click - John Bartlett Store.