John Derian spent his youth hunting for treasures at the Brimfield Antiques Flea Market in Massachusetts. His fascination for rare ephemera never faded. “I like handmade things that are quirky and funny and have a naive quality about them,” he told Avenue Magazine in 2021.
What began as a childhood pastime eventually grew into a business built around that passion for collecting. In 1989, he founded his eponymous company, selling everything from his signature “découpage” glassware to Dutch floral paintings and vintage textiles. Not long after, Derian’s first shop opened in the East Village, just off the Bowery—a whimsical haven with the feel of Regency-era England.
That boutique on East 2nd Street was only the beginning. Derian now has two more neighboring shops, forming a small retail enclave beloved by New York’s fashion set. His fourth is a seasonal outpost in Provincetown, where Derian decamps for the summer. There, he lives with his partner, Stephen Kent Johnson, in an old-world Cape Cod home originally built in 1789. These are his favorite spots in the coastal Massachusetts town.
LANDS END INN
A landmark inn with spectacular views and a very curious à la 1920s Tiffany decor. (landsendinn.com)
THE RED INN
Have a sunset drink on the deck at the Red Inn, a charming inn built in 1805. The restaurant has the most beautiful bay views. (theredinn.com)
LADYSLIPPER
A quaint new cocktail lounge. (ladyslipperptown.com)
RELISH BAKERY & SANDWICH SHOP
Passionate bakers with delicious sweets. (ptownrelish.com)
Sal’s Place
A fun and festive restaurant with a lovely staff. (salsplace.co)
SPIRITUS PIZZA
If you’re not gluten-free like me, you’ll love this pizza. I only dream of it. (spirituspizza.com)
A-House
One of the oldest clubs in the country, A-House keeps people moving on the dance floor all year round. (ahouse.com)
GIFFORD HOUSE
The town’s hotspot for dancing and fun. (gifford.house)
House of La Rue
A fantastic clothing shop, jam-packed with every kind of sensational clothing item you could imagine. It’s not just for drag queens, but maybe a little. (instagram.com)
Utilities Home Store
A great kitchen shop. They have things everyone needs. (instagram.com)
Bakker Gallery
It has the best historical American art, mostly from the Provincetown artist colony. (bakkerproject.com)
Provincetown Art Association and Museum
A modern art gallery on the Cape. It’s a pretty space with superb shows. (paam.org)
ARNOLD’S Bike shop
Once you get on a bike and coast through town, you’ll be transported back to childhood. You can see most of Provincetown in one afternoon. And for the older child in you, there’s an amazing bike trail that goes through the national seashore. (provincetownbikes.com)
The Provincetown Dunes
Crossing the sand dunes is by far the most spectacular thing to do and see. There’s a 35-minute hike from the desert-high dunes to the ocean.
The Breakwater
A granite “wall” was built there at the turn of the century to control an estuary, making it the best swimming spot at high tide.
John Derian New England
Oh, and of course, there is my shop—if you can find it! (johnderian.com)
