N.Y. Fashion Week: Richard Chai spins a comfortable cocoon
NEW YORK – Richard Chai presented his men’s and women’s fall and winter 2014 runway collections here Thursday on the first day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York at the Lincoln Center tents.
The inspiration: No specific inspiration was stated in the run-of show, but when the opening song on a runway soundtrack is “A Hazy Shade of Winter” (the Bangles version, in case you were curious) it’s a safe bet someone was thinking about insulating against cooler climes.
The look: Chai continued experimenting with the geometric shapes he’d focused on last season, rendered here in color-blocked and mixed fabrication pieces in lightweight and ruched fabrics. But there were also lots of luxe low-temperature offerings on hand, including a toffee-colored shawl collared coat and fur (or faux fur) trimmed leather motorcycle jacket for women -- (the latter part of Chai’s ongoing collaboration with Andrew Marc) and raglan-sleeve jackets, chunky turtleneck sweaters and skinny-legged trousers for men (many styled so that the pant legs were stuffed into socks at the ankle to create a sweatpants look). Colors for both collections ranged from dusky jewel tones to blacks, grays and khakis.
Of note: Standout pieces included generously proportioned belted women’s coats (one in blue and purple plaid and another in sage green) that could have been inspired by the world’s most luxurious hotel bathrobe. The show notes described them as “cocoon coats” and, for us, that summed up the best parts of this collection - clothes that would let you wqrap yourself up and cocoon until springtime.
The scene: Among the celebs spotted in the front-row photographers’ scrum were Joe Jonas, actor -- and Lawrencing meme instigator -- and Colton Haynes (“The Arrow”). Also on hand was Zachary Quinto, who would go on to bookend his day with fashion events by hosting menswear designer Todd Snyder’s after-party that evening.
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