PETER JOHNSTON

PETER JOHNSTON was born in Scotland and spent his childhood and teen years in Scotland before moving to London, England to enroll at the Royal College of Art where he studied for a Masters of Arts degree in Men’s Wear Fashion. Specializing in men’s tailoring, PETER JOHNSTON practiced and perfected his skills in pattern cutting, hand tailoring, cut and styling. It was whilst studying at the RCA that PETER JOHNSTON became the first British entrant to win the coveted Italian tailoring and design competition, the ‘Aga D’Oro’ (Golden Needle).

In 1995 after graduating from the RCA, PETER JOHNSTON joined Kilgour tailoring house on Savile Row as Design Director where he was designed the Japanese licensing collection sold to Japanese luxury retailer Mitsukoshi. In addition, PETER JOHNSTON created Kilgour’s first ever ready-to-wear collection, launched in Autumn 1996.

In 1998 PETER JOHNSTON was appointed Head of Menswear Design at Dunhill, London, responsible for the design of ready-to-wear collections and Japanese licensing collections including formal wear, tailoring, shirting, casual wear, outer wear, knitwear, golf wear and accessories product categories.

The lure of managing the design of all contracted collections including for Ralph Lauren, Turnbull & Asser, Hackett, Huntsman and Old England saw PETER JOHNSTON accept the position of Design Director at Chester Barrie, Savile Row London before resigning in 2002 to start his own business.

In 2002, PETER JOHNSTON announced the creation of his own design consultancy, immediately securing a contract with the highly respected Onward Kashiyama, Tokyo, to be responsible for the creative direction of Onward Kashiyama’s Premium menswear ready-to-wear collection. The PETER JOHNSTON brand was subsequently launched in Japan, exclusive to the iconic Isetan department stores. There are currently 8 Isetan department stores selling PETER JOHNSTON tailoring in Japan.

In 2004, PETER JOHNSTON opened his first directly owned outlet in the UK. The flagship store was opened in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Johnston established his own-label private brand ‘PETER JOHNSTON, Scotland’ providing ‘by appointment’ tailoring and shirt making services as well as a range of luxury ready-to-wear accessories, shoes and leather goods. The townhouse showrooms are located in the fashionable Queen Street district of Edinburgh where PETER JOHNSTON sees private tailoring clients and manages his design consultancy and online store shipping goods worldwide.

In Fall 2011, Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, will launch bespoke tailoring from PETER JOHNSTON. PETER JOHNSTON was chosen after an extensive search by the premium retailer for a designer well versed in British tailoring with a modern sensibility.  He will travel to Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York, Chicago and Chevy Chase locations on a monthly basis for private bespoke appointments.

PETER JOHNSTON currently moves between Edinburgh, London, Tokyo and New York.