#AllCoopedUp with Libertine’s Johnson Hartig
As the founding force behind Libertine, Johnson Hartig is an authentic artist in every way. He ups the ante in fashion by creatively immersing himself and those around him in a whimsical trip where old school classics meet new school know-how. Having first launched the label in 2001, today he continues upon his quest of single-handedly revolutionizing the ready-to-wear market for men and women. His interior design skills are off the charts as evidenced by the incredible houses he has created for himself and his rescue dog Terence in LA. His homes have been published far and wide in such publications as World Of Interiors, Domino and Vogue Living. His most recent collaboration with Schumacher lets his fans get a bit of his fabulousness in their own homes. Before the Coronavirus hit, Johnson and his Schumacher collection were headed to Bergdorf Goodman for the takeover of the famed interiors floor. Spending a few hours with Johnson, surrounded by his collections and creations makes me feels like I’ve traveled the world and beyond. He’s truly divine! - Jenna
What’s your profession, and what does your day-to-day work experience look like now?
I’m a fashion designer for a company called Libertine that I’ve run for 20 years. These days I still try to wake up at a relatively early time... I’m usually up at 4:30 or 5:00, but now I’m waking at 6:00. I check emails, and two days a week I go in and work with my design assistants. We keep our distance at the studio — it’s 8,000 square feet, so there’s plenty of room to keep our distance. We are designing the next collection to tentatively show in September. Although all our factories in India and Italy are closed, we want to have everything ready so that when they reopen, we can jump right in.
My team made masks out of Libertine fabric that we thought would be super cheerful for the frontline doctors and nurses, and we donated a bunch.
I moved into my house in December, designed the Libertine collection in January, showed the collection in February, and then went to Milan and Paris fashion weeks, so these are the first real moments I've had to spend time in the house. So far I’ve sponge painted my stairway and fireplace and I planted this kitchen garden behind us. I’ve really been loving my time here.
Are there objects or spaces in your house that you are newly appreciating? Or are there objects and spaces you have come to loathe?
I appreciate this house so much! There’s nothing that I loathe… every square inch I appreciate every day. I’ve been doing more sponge painting than maybe is necessary, and I’m also going through boxes that hadn’t been opened yet. I had a wallpaper installer here one day to install wallpaper in a room, and we kept our distance. I’m going to have him come back to do another one soon. The wallpaper is Libertine for Schumacher, a line of wallpaper and home fabrics I designed which launched in September.
Describe your at-home quarantine uniform.
Just my uniform everyday. Basketball shorts and a sweatshirt. And I have a Libertine candle lit at all times!
Who are you quarantining with? Do you feel the need to “get away”? How do you make it happen?
I’m quarantining with my nutty, fourteen and a half year old brown rescued mutt named Terence, who is the love of my life and is so crazy that he keeps me sane. To get away, I go for long bike rides and leave him in his bed up in our room.
What’s the last thing you purchased online? Regret or obsessed?
I mean, I’m purchasing something like every 10 minutes online.... But the last 2 things are these Moroccan bowls that I collect that are sponge painted (because I just can't get enough sponge painting), and these antique bowls that are divine and in these shades or green, buttermilk, and dark brown.
I also bought two dog paintings from the Mario Buatta auction at Sotheby's and spent way more than I should have, and then found out there were two more auctions at STAIR Auction House, so I bought 5 more dog paintings for about one-tenth of the price that I paid at Sotheby’s for the two. Anyway, who cares, I love them all!
Tell us the best shows, podcasts, or books you’re loving right now.
I just got through the same one that we’re all obsessed with (Tiger King), and Unorthodox I’m finding incredibly satisfying. 90 Day Fiancé is breathtaking TV, My 600 -lb Life and Say Yes to the Dress too…. I just can’t get away from TLC.
Do you have any new quarantine activities or rituals?
When 5:00 rolls around, I open a nice bottle of red wine. But today, Jenna suggested tequila, so I cut up some loquats, rosemary, lavender, and mint leaves to drink it with. And first thing in the morning, I get up and water my garden. It’s such a romantic, fantastic habit.
What is your favorite quarantine snack? What restaurants are you ordering takeout from?
I had not bought a loaf of bread for about 15 years, but I bought this seven grain bread and 3 cans of Starkist Albacore Tuna Fish. I cut up celery and carrots (rough cut), mix it with sweet pickle relish and a little mayonnaise, and I’ve eaten about 15 tuna fish sandwiches. And then I rinse the can out and Terence gets it. So we’re both obsessed and can't get enough.
What is the one item you’re glad you stocked up on? What do you wish you’d stocked up on?
I didn't buy any toilet paper, and I only had two rolls here… but I have a bidet! If you don't have a bidet yet, run, dont walk, to buy one. It’s actually not a bidet, it’s one of those Japanese toilet seats. It’s the best luxury investment I’ve ever made. It’s so divine.
What are you doing for exercise?
I get up and do yoga postures in my bedroom for about 20 minutes, and I lift these little weights, but I have tennis elbows, so it’s all been hindered. And I try to take an hour bike ride every afternoon.
When this is over I cannot wait to ___________.
I cannot wait to keep appreciating things that I have grown to appreciate, like going into a market and finding something that I didn't expect, like a carton of almond milk or a 4 pack of toilet paper that I thought would be sold out.
I do think it’s an incredible chance to recalibrate. I'm enjoying quiet time, listening to opera and classical music, and reading books. I really love uplifting baroque trumpet works from Bach and The Radio Dept. never fails. I listen to lots of Brazilian music, just mellow, uplifting and calming music.
I feel so grateful that I live the life I live, because I’m so lucky. I have so much and I hope we don't forget to appreciate things like we are appreciating it now.
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