They say clothes make the man, and in the case of Eric Johnson, that goes well beyond the traditional meaning. For the new executive director of Saint Louis Fashion Incubator, clothing—or rather, the clothing industry—is his life’s work. The St. Louis native has returned home from the Big Apple, where he was vice president for arts and fashion at New York City Economic Development Corp. In that role, he spearheaded $20 million in initiatives and programs for the city’s fashion industry. Now, he’s working on a similar renaissance for St. Louis.
what i do …
“Fashion can have a viable existence outside New York and Los Angeles,” Johnson says of the Incubator’s mission to help emerging designers become prominent members of the fashion industry. “We’re at 16th Street and Washington Avenue, really the home of the old St. Louis garment district. We want St. Louis to be part of the conversation about what’s happening in fashion.”
Johnson’s own sartorial sense is understated, but he does like to keep things fresh and crisp with classic colors, interesting fabrics and unusual details. “I may be one of those rarer breeds of men who actually enjoy the clothes process,” he says. “I feel that what you wear is a reflection of who you are. I’m not necessarily buying clothes all the time, but I’m very intentional in how I dress. My ‘holy grail’ would be to see today’s pictures of myself 30 or 40 years from now and not have them look out-of-date.”
He wears smartly cut blazers, and is very comfortable in a shirt and tie. “Not too avant-garde, but very smart and sensible in great quality pieces that fit well and stand the test of time,” Johnson says of his style. “It’s comfortable, and contemporary. I like solid, straightforward colors, whites and blues in different shades, sometimes with a military look, like a nice pair of leather boots, olive green cargo pants or a midnight blue bomber jacket. I also like experimenting with texture. I have a c
One of his fashion icons is Miles Davis, who always wore slacks and button-down shirts. “For guys who have a signature look, it’s like their uniform. I aspire to that.”
what i look for …
“For me, it’s all about quality. I look for the construction of the fabric. If you’re going for a timeless look like I am, it helps to have clothes
He also admires neckwear designer Richard Tao. “He does really smart ties with a twist,” Johnson says. “They have a smaller, narrower profile, and he works with special fabrics and details like unfinished edges. It might be a navy or royal blue tie, but there’s a raw edge to it that catches your attention and makes it stand out. He has a great eye and incredible talent. A favorite that I have is a magenta tie from his line. It’s solid but has very different construction.”
Johnson also enjoys the work of designer Reuben Reuel of Demestik. “He works with beautiful African prints that feature a pop of color. People say they feel fabulous in his clothes.”
where i shop …
“There was such a great retail environment in my New York days,” Johnson says. “Whether I was at Barney’s or digging around and getting great deals
at sample sales, I always enjoyed that. I have friends who are designers, and I like going to their clothing events. And lately, I’ve found myself shopping online at places like Mr. Porter. That’s one of my go-to sites. I also like East + West in the 
He’s always had a personal interest in cultural activities and says he will continue that here, attending events at the Pulitzer Foundation, Saint Louis Art Museum and others. “I went to this year’s Dada Ball at the Contemporary Art Museum,” he says. “It was great to see people getting together in 
other interests …
“I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I like to educate myself about buildings and architecture, like the historic Wainwright Building downtown (a National Historic Landmark, and one of the earliest skyscrapers),” Johnson says. “I like finding those gems that might be hiding in plain sight, whether it’s interesting buildings or new restaurants flying under the radar. They really speak to the level of sophistication and execution we have here in St. Louis. I pay attention to the food itself, the experience at the restaurant, the layout of the room, even the staff uniforms … all those details.”
He’s getting into art and trying to learn more about it. “I’m at the beginning of my own collection and am most interested in pop art,” Johnson says. “Right now I have a Claes Oldenburg print and work by St. Louis-born painter and sculptor Ernest Trova. For me to buy something, there has to be a personal connection, someone I’ve been researching and learning about. I also like the work of New York-based photographer Lyle Owerko. His photographs are in a very pop-art style.”
you might not know … 
“I’m 36, but since I spent my adult life in Chicago and New York, I’ve never owned a car,” Johnson notes. “So I recently bought a restored 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV, a two-door coupe, auburn red. It’s a great-looking car. We live in an age when people don’t work with their hands as much, so I want to learn to work on it and become more mechanically oriented. It’s a classic design, functional and beautiful. I like to cruise around in it on the weekends, and I plan on entering some touring events. I think of it as moving sculpture.”
