So this really happened, A personal shopper for a really exclusive New York City elegant department store was asked to do market editing for an iconic female sports celebrity. On the day of getting it all together and bringing his gorgeous choices to her, he arrived at the hotel. The room was loaded with all sorts of people, crowded, buzzing, and a little dizzying.. While waiting, he received a business call, and while on the phone the celebrity’s own stylist, asked him if he was here, like are you ready for us. Of course, he was a little excited and anxiously followed the stylist to the room where the celebrity was sitting. They brought him over and he was asked to help fix her hair. He was a little confused but thought, well, if that is what she needed, he was happy to help.
As he was fiddling with her braids, the celebrity asked, “are you with the hair people?” He said “no,I am fashion.” Just then, the stylist came back. She overheard and said. “i did not say are you here?” I said are you hair?” Avery Johnson was a little embarrassed, but was mostly relieved.
Avery had an extremely successful career at Barney’s. He was the personal shopper to very famous entertainers, athletes, musicians and people of wealth . He had THE Book, as they say. He was at Barney’s for ten years and he loved it. It was an atmosphere where he could be himself, dress as he wanted and feel completely creative. Unfortunately, after Barney’s had to close its doors, Avery had to find a new way to display his great talent and to support himself.
Avery was at a loss for a while and although other department stores tried to hire him, he had no interest. Other stores were stricter in their code of dress, and in their overall expectations for its salespeople, it was never going to work for him. An aunt of his, the first black woman to graduate from the New York School of Interior Design, became his mentor, and convinced him that with his talent for design and his creativity, maybe interior design should be his next move. She encouraged him to reach out to his former clients and that was the beginning of a new career.
Avery’s fashion clients were excited to be working with him in a whole new way. It was a great start for him. From these people, through word of mouth he has . branched out and has developed a whole new stream of clients. Now he is doing two second homes for clients from New Jersey whose apartments he had designed. Avery has a particular style for himself and his husband. They recently bought a home in Weehawken and for himself he is neutral, cozy, and wood. But for his client, they are the boss. He digs deep, gets to know their likes and dislikes, lots of color or no color. His designs are a true reflection of his client’s taste. One client wanted to introduce some piece from Fornasetti into the design of their second home Fornasetti is a company that is known for its imaginative designs that blend art, furniture, wallpaper and ceramics with a touch of surrealism. Avery had an idea to use a beautiful Fornasetti wallpaper as the background for two.custom built bookcases that stand on either side of a fireplace. It was a brilliant idea and the client was thrilled.
Avery’s super power since high school days is his creativity, his design instincts. and his calm presence. Growing up in Brooklyn he did not play sports, but he wore clothes that he felt expressed who he was and he had and still has this great air of self confidence. It made him special. Being a teen is really not easy for anyone, but for Avery it was this.
In 2024 Avery was honored to win the “Rising Star” award from the International Furniture and Design Association. The ceremony was held at the D and D building in New York City. This association supports new talent in the field of interior design. It honors new talent and promotes their businesses, welcoming them into any facet of interior design
If you love to travel, what is better than having a French husband, Olivier, with family in France, whom they visit once a year..They have traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and when Avery was younger, he was lucky enough to have lived in Thailand. He became very close to his host family and he and Olivier have stayed in touch with them. Another love is gallery hopping, Avery really enjoys. finding new and upcoming talent. It is great fun and also important in his design business..
Avery Johnson is a lovely and talented man. We would suggest to any of our readers, if you are looking for help getting your home together, Avery is your guy.
His expertise lies in environments that are both stylish and lived in.
Avery Johnson Interior Design
90 Jefferson St
Weehawken, NJ 07086
[email protected]
www.averyjohnson.com
[email protected]
646-234-2447
