P Johnson NYC by Tamsin Johnson

Above the bustling streets of Manhattan’s Soho, Tamsin Johnson has created an atypical tailoring experience for P Johnson. The New York showroom is a study in contrasts – light and shadow, simplicity and complexity – offering clients a unique environment that feels part-gallery, part-living room.

With a showroom layout designed to facilitate a personalised and intimate tailoring experience, the all-white walls serve as a canvas, amplifying natural light flooding into the space and creating a high contrast to the grey urban landscape beyond. The design ethos of both brand and designer is evident in every carefully considered detail. Eschewing the traditional retail environment, the space instead embodies the warmth and intimacy of a well-appointed living room, aligning perfectly with P Johnson’s philosophy of unhurried, personalised service.

The design approach offers New York clients a fresh perspective that is infused with a hint of Australian spirit and audacity.

Bold furniture pieces punctuate the space, acting as sculptural elements to add depth and complexity to the otherwise minimalist interior. These carefully curated items provide visual anchors, inviting clients to pause and appreciate the subtle interplay of form and function. The design language subtly nods to its Australian heritage while fully embracing its Manhattan context by skilfully weaving elements reminiscent of the Sydney Paddington showroom into the space, creating a thread of continuity across continents. This design approach offers New Yorkers a fresh perspective that is infused with a hint of Australian spirit and audacity.

The main space features an open-plan design that encourages interaction and allows for easy browsing of fabric swatches and style options. A stand-out feature is the strategic use of lush velvet curtains suspended on sleek tracks. This opulent drapery serves multiple purposes, providing privacy for intimate fittings and modulating the abundant natural light that shines through the expansive windows. The rich texture and deep hues of the curtains create a striking contrast against the industrial bones of the Soho building. This softens the overall ambience and creates discrete areas for personalised consultations, allowing clients to experience the true essence of P Johnson’s meticulous craftsmanship in an environment that is as carefully curated as the garments themselves.

The rich texture and deep hues of the curtains create a striking contrast against the industrial bones of the Soo building.

A deliberately restrained colour palette is employed, featuring muted tones of cream, taupe and grey. This neutral backdrop allows the rich textures and hues of the fabric swatches and garments to take centrestage. Plush upholstered seating invites clients to relax and engage in the bespoke tailoring process, while sleek metal fixtures add a contemporary edge to the space. The design also incorporates a carefully curated selection of artworks and objects that communicate an appreciation of craftsmanship and beauty. Vintage coffee tables by Angelo Mangiarotti and other designers adorn the space, serving as both functional displays and striking artistic statements.

Despite the similarities in brief across P Johnson’s showrooms, each space is uniquely responsive to its location and clientele. The New York showroom is no exception, with a crafted environment that resonates with the sophisticated tastes of Manhattan’s discerning patrons while maintaining the signature relaxed elegance of the brand. The collaboration between Tamsin Johnson and her husband, Patrick Johnson, has resulted in a space that is both a reflection of their shared aesthetic vision and evidence of their evolving design philosophy. With each project, the approach becomes more refined, allowing for greater experimentation within the established P Johnson design vernacular.

The rich texture and deep hues of the curtains create a striking contrast against the industrial bones of the Soho building.

While the showroom is firmly rooted in its New York context, it also reflects P Johnson’s Australian heritage. Tamsin Johnson has seamlessly blended elements from both cultures, creating an environment that feels at once familiar and refreshingly unique. The space invites clients to slow down, appreciate beauty and engage in the art of dressing well.

Interior design by Tamsin Johnson.