Angie Johnson: Deep in the woods of Norway

Angie Johnson is the creative mind behind Norwegian Wood, and also co-owner of the famous Headquarters galerie+boutique.

But don’t let her fashionable life fool you: she tells NL about her sour licorice cravings and how she literally grew up in the middle of a field.

How did it all start out?
We started Headquarters almost 3 years ago now. Tyson and I had both dreamed of opening a store/gallery for years, so we decided to stop making excuses and start working: one year of planning later, we opened HQ.

As for Norwegian Wood, it started after I got laid off last year from my job as a designer; I decided I wanted to be my own boss and there was no looking back.

I recently learned that you’re part Norwegian, which, guess, explains your brand’s name. But that also left me wondering if your Scandinavian roots have something to do with your inner sense of style
Well, my Norwegian part comes from my paternal grandpa who is 100% Norwegian.

He’s a farmer in Manitoba who always has holes in his work shirts and calls them «air conditioning,» so I’m not sure if my Norwegian roots contribute to my style.

You describe yourself as a rural prairie girl transplanted in a crazy city. What’s left of your Manitoban legacy?
I guess the cheesy saying «you can take the girl out of the prairies but you can’t take the prairies out of the girl» probably applies a little.

I literally grew up in the middle of a field; I don’t think you can ever totally lose something like that.

The cage skirt you designed for Norwegian Wood made quite a splash.What’s the story behind that creation?
There’s a blogger from the UK named Susie Bubble (stylebubble.typepad.com) who was hankering after this particular style of skirt.

I made the first cage skirt as a surprise for her, and the rest is history.

Some could argue that posting pictures on Flickr is a little narcissistic. Do you think of yourself as vain?
I work in fashion, of course I’m vain All kidding aside, I put pics of my designs online because I want to get them out there into the world, the fact that I’m the model and photographer is kind of just a product of convenience, since I work alone at home.

Midnight snack de prédilection?
Sour licorice. I know, it’s disgusting.

Headquarters Galerie + Boutique

1649, Amherst

hqgalerieboutique.blogspot.com

iheartnorwegianwood.etsy.com