Ulla Johnson Spring Summer 2022

On a late summer morning amidst the serene beauty of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Ulla Johnson presents a Spring collection that is an exuberant celebration of the natural world. Saturated and sun-bleached shades of citrus, coral and lavender nod to the botanical realm while deep blues and greens, lit up with bright teals, pay homage to the ocean. There is a sense of intimacy revealed; a contrast between strict corsetry and unbuttoned layers topped by oversized outerwear and trousers. Graphic juxtapositions of form, color and mixed textiles are all treated with a gentle air of insouciance. There is something conjured of a nascent naturalist, celebrating the living world as she finds it in small moments amidst the cityscape, or in the open expanse of land and sea. The preservation of handcrafts is at the heart of Ulla’s world and is brought to life this season through our long term partnerships with artisans in Kenya, Peru, India and Italy in the form of jewelry, intricate knits, embroidery, and tailoring. Also, Inspired by the radiantly complex landscapes of outsider artist Joseph E. Yoakum, Johnson confidently layers materiality and silhouette to transportive effect. Reflecting on a year that, amidst its chaos, bore quiet spaces wherein birdsong emerged from the cacophony of the urban jungle, Johnson proposes a newfound ease. The collection flows in a dialogue of bright color and textural layers interspersed with oases of simplicity and contemplative elegance.