Ulla Johnson

Ulla Johnson is a New York womenswear brand founded in 1999 by the designer of the same name. It is known for feminine, craft-led collections stocked by leading department stores worldwide.

What is Ulla Johnson?

Ulla Johnson is an American womenswear label based in New York, known for feminine, free-spirited collections that draw on artisan textiles and craft.

History

Designer Ulla Johnson, born and raised in Manhattan, founded the brand in 1999 shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan. She launched with five tailored separates and modest self-funding, and Barneys bought her first collection in 2000. Her archaeologist parents had taken the family to digs in countries such as Iran and Germany, exposing her early to local textiles and crafts.

Products and positioning

The core is womenswear, with dresses, separates and knitwear. In 2021 the brand added premium denim, made in Los Angeles. Collaborations have included eyewear with Garrett Leight and beauty with Bobbi Brown.

• Womenswear collections
• Denim made in Los Angeles
• Collaborations in eyewear and beauty

Ulla Johnson works with artisans and craftspeople in countries including Peru, Kenya, India, Uruguay and the Philippines.

Distribution

The first Ulla Johnson boutique opened in New York in 2017, followed by a store in Amagansett in 2019. The brand is stocked internationally by retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Le Bon Marché.

Why it matters

Ulla Johnson is a long-running independent American label that has grown from wholesale into its own stores while keeping craft at the centre of its identity.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Ulla Johnson?

The brand was founded in 1999 by Ulla Johnson, a designer born and raised in Manhattan.

Where is Ulla Johnson sold?

It is sold in its own New York stores, online and through retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Le Bon Marché.

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