Where did you spend your college internship? Victor Johnson had two options: earn $7.50 an hour executing AutoCAD redlines at a Dallas architecture firm or $9 an hour arranging feathers in artificial Christmas trees at Neiman Marcus.
Easy call. To the interior design student, the tree gig offered not just a few extra after-tax dollars but also a chance to show off his visual merchandising chops.
The internship led to a five-year term in Neiman’s visual planning and presentation department. Then the native Texan relocated to New York, signing on as senior manager of visual presentation for Ann Taylor. Recently, the specialty retailer’s Loft division has fallen under his visual jurisdiction, as well.
If you’ve walked past an Ann Taylor window in Manhattan or Chicago within the last year, you’ll notice some big changes – custom Adel Rootstein mannequins and exotic materials like salvaged bedsprings and tropical driftwood. Johnson has helped develop these new mannequin and collateral programs and has designed and installed flagship windows in both big-city stores.
What’s your secret to a great visual presentation?
Strong composition. It’s never boring. Ever.
How does visual in New York differ, if at all, from visual in Texas?
The difference is logistics. It’s much easier to move something from Point A to Point B in Texas. Texans have big cars, bountiful parking and nice loading docks.
They also have big accents. What’s it like living in New York with a Texas accent?
New Yorkers find the accent exotic, but I’m tired of defending Texas.
Favorite TV show?
Sorry, I don’t own a television.
How, then, do you fare in water cooler conversations about, say, “Dancing with the Stars”?
It gives me an excuse to avoid those water cooler conversations.
Favorite place to shop?
The hip, vintage cowboy boutique Western Otter, in Hico, Texas. I also like abebooks.com.
Name an item of clothing you can’t live without.
Clean underwear.
What would your last meal be?
A bottle of Montrachet.
What did you want to be when you were 5 years old?
Older.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
My mentor Marcia Carleson once told me that a strong work ethic will take you further than natural talent or a lavish education.
It’s October. Are you looking forward to dressing up for Halloween?
Oh my God, is it Halloween already? I always look forward to the Night of a Thousand Stevies.
[Editor’s note: Sorry, Victor. That annual New York dress-up event – an homage to songstress Stevie Nicks – took place in May.]