PARK Magazine

Everyone from A-list actors to rock stars, including
Gwyneth Paltrow, Cher, Brad Pitt, Angelina
Jolie, Beyonce, Stephen Hawking, The
Killers and everyone in between is a fan of the
brand, which is currently celebrating its 20th
anniversary this year. Not only has the stylish
label sustained itself for two decades, but
it keeps growing to reach new generations. Sarah
Jessica Parker is even wearing a Libertine
coat and hat in a recent cover story for Vogue.
A pretty chic “cherry on top” anniversary gift.
Let’s just say that Libertine was designing
with skulls before skulls were a thing. While
many of his original designs have gone mainstream,
which has left Johnson frustrated
at times, he does admit that he is also somewhat
flattered. This dedicated designer just
wants to make sure that the fashion world remembers
that those designs were in Libertine’s
DNA first, and they will always continue
doing it their way - and remain stronger
than ever. They are Libertines, after all!
The secret to their style? Well, secrets.
“We create beautiful clothes, but we never
take ourselves too seriously,” explains Johnson.
“We are always including insider and
subtle secrets within the clothes. There are
lots of poetry and art references which appeal
to a certain type of person who is into the
same things. It is an incredibly unique brand.”
Johnson also acknowledges his satisfaction
regarding how much influence the brand
has wielded while remaining a small team. Despite
larger companies essentially emulating
his concepts on a larger scale, Johnson has remained
good friends with his biggest supporters,
including Betty Halbreich, the 94-yearold
fixture of Bergdorf Goodman. Halbreich,
who can be found on the Bergdorf ’s sales floor
almost every day, calls Johnson on a weekly
basis with the latest news on who is wearing
his designs - or who is trying to copy him.