A chair designer, but also a proud Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, Andrew S Johnson owes a lot to our now King. His story is one of great creativity and the opportunities that can be opened up when that talent is properly nurtured.
How did you discover The Prince’s Trust?
I was working in retail to pay for prototyping my furniture designs; sketching before and after work, spending my days off travelling around metal fabrication factories and upholsters. My brother, a welder by trade, helped me fabricate the first B-9 armchair prototype in aluminium.
What's everyone reading?
After my father passed away in 2016, I left my job to focus on design but quickly found myself sinking. I didn’t know how to run a business. I found The Prince’s Trust and I joined the Enterprise programme – an intensive course focussing on legal status, taxes, marketing and sales – and was matched with a mentor, Gerry Mulvaney.
How has it helped your career?
During the first Covid lockdown The Prince’s Trust offered me the Enterprise grant from Natwest; without it I wouldn’t have been able to carry on. In 2021 I was invited to meet King Charles III; we spoke of how the Trust had guided me in those early stages and given me the confidence to seek out my ambitions. It was such an influential moment in my life.
Tell us about the B-9 series chairs…
I want to create iconic pieces that will be cherished and passed down from one generation to the next. My inspiration for the B-9 collection was drawn from the silent, resilient existence of the infrastructure that surrounds us in a cityscape. Throughout my life I have spent a lot of time walking by the River Trent at Nottingham Embankment. You’ll notice subtle key elements from Trent Bridge and Wilford Suspension Bridge present in my design style.
Tell us about working with Sir Paul Smith?
He is one of my design heroes. I wrote him a letter and was stunned when Allen Snowball from Paul Smith told me that they wanted two B-9 armchairs for the Nottingham shop upholstered in their signature Maharam fabric. Seeing them in situ was awe inspiring; for the first time I had the belief that I could achieve something special. They have since been displayed in Paul Smith No.9 Albemarle Street, their furniture shop in Mayfair.
What are you working on at the moment?
The introduction of colour to the B-9-2C frame. My clients can now choose elements to be individually coloured - some are matching them to a performance car or a luxury watch. Two new limited edition collections will drop early 2024 and I am starting to design bespoke pieces for a small number of clients.
What are your hopes for the future?
I would love to collaborate with Liberty of London and Morris & Co. and see my designs in Harrods. I’d also like to give back to The Prince’s Trust and meet Marc Newson - my college tutor Alistair Brown opened my eyes to his work when I was 17. I dream of creating a throne for King Charles III or at least being granted a Royal warrant! andrew-s-johnson.co.uk
