Nautica Women's Swimwear Spring 2016

We are heading into the tail end of summer (boo). Nautica Women's Swimwear gave us a "City Meets Sea" themed evening at New York's Dream Hotel. Models wearing the label's bikinis and swimsuits posed on top of pedestals and giant inflatable swans in the hotel's tiny basin of a pool. The so-called beach club at the hotel was probably the best representation of an urban oasis NYC has to offer.

The swimwear was simple and sporty. The classic Nautica colors of navy, white and black were used. There was one print that was an abstract beach pattern. The City Meets Sea theme explains why the swimwear cuts look like sportswear. The one-shouldered suit could be worn under a skirt and jacket. Bikini separates could be layering pieces. While the V-necked one-piece suits had plunging necklines and high-cut legs, the swimwear looked like it was actually meant for swimming.

It is interesting to note that their male counterparts from New York Fashion Week Men's had a more flamboyant collection. Their swim shorts had a larger variety of graphics, prints and finishing details. Nautica's strength has always been menswear while their women's lines have been launched and re-launched multiple times.

Nautica Women's Swimwear gave my fellow writers and me a nice little escape from the concrete. If you need a momentary escape to the beach just for an hour, you know where to go.

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Nautica Spring 2016

Thanks for the pecs and eye candy! My former employer Nautica presented their spring 2016 menswear collection yesterday. Creative director Steve McSween wanted to exude a feeling of urban city meets the water.

I thought that summed up what the modern Nautica brand was all about. It's simple, yet somehow the company under VF Corp didn't figure that out for years. I see the sleeker direction the clothing has taken that suits the lifestyle of the city gentleman. Referencing the nautical inspiration and water is more about an attitude and lifestyle you want to project towards your weekend.

While their New York Fashion Week Men's paired their sportswear items like blazers and outerwear with their swimwear, it clearly was not meant to be taken literally. The swimwear had a slimmer, flattering fit. The outerwear had a stylish, easy approach. I found it brave, but effective not to show other categories to flesh out the full collection (like shirts, their classic polo knit, etc.) They showed the two product categories where they excelled. Plus, they clearly realized that everyone already knows what a basic woven shirt and polo looks like. (If they don't, Macy's will hit them over the head with ads by Father's Day.)

While I was sad to see all but three people I knew still at the company to give hugs to, I was happy to hear that the new director was a cool guy. Happy spring 2016 for Nautica.
photos by Mariana Leung

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#Menswear Nautica Fall 2014

Did Nautica’s Black Sail Fall 2014 collection finally find its identity? I’m kicking off my menswear week coverage with one of my career alma maters.

For many years, Nautica did not seem to know where it wanted to be in the market place after VF Corporation took the brand over from David Chu. While I was employed there, there were efforts to make it preppy and sophisticated.  It dabbled in the more urban aesthetic towards what their expensive (but inconclusive) market research told them. Should the brand stay true the nautical theme?  Did it really boil down to Father’s Day promotions at Federated owned department stores? 

Their fall 2014 collection might have found their way. Branding the show under the “Black Sail” heading was smart in signaling a different intention without alienating the traditional buyers.  The outerwear offerings, one of the brand’s strongest products, had a great lineup of high-tech puffers.  Even working with the design team, I always loved all their little details, functional and design alike.  The fur collars had a bit of luxury, the sleek surfaces gave the fabrics more of an edge.  There were a lot of cozy knits, a category that was always under promoted for Nautica. They had a good balance of sporty and outdoors-influenced looks (the frozen forest prints rocks). The slimmer fits of the tops and pants worked well for the city guy who works for the weekend.

photos by Mariana Leung

I love the diverse model casting; Design director Christopher Cox always had a good eye for models.  I remember in the early days, the merchandisers always observed that the bestselling colors for the masses were red, navy and yellow. It doesn’t sound very sophisticated, and the majority of those dollars might have come from the off-price channels. However, those colors were worked into the fall 2014 show in a sophisticated way in richer, darker hues and better fabrics in pop colors.

Here’s to Ms. Fabulous giving a shout-out to my peeps.  You all deserve a bonus.

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Nautica Black Sail - Spring 2014

From Father's Day special to D.I.L.F.s.  Nautica Sportswear's launch of the Black Sail collection at NY Fashion Week was their big push to show themselves as a sleeker, more fashion forward menswear brand.

Nautica's biggest visibility in the past few years was usually the round of Father's Day gift-giving commercials from Macy's for their basic knit polos.  For Spring 2014, the brand showed sexy leather shorts, body hugging knits, slim pants and crisp jackets.  A decidedly more smouldering look, but not out of the realm of their core customer.  Having worked with the brand, I do know for a fact that several of the core creative collaborators are hot Dads.

Meanwhile, there was a large protest outside of this fashion show led by model Sara Ziff.  The protest was against Nautica's refusal to sign the Bangladesh Accord of Fire and Safety after the horrible tragedy of sweatshop workers.   I am very sorry to hear and baffled by Nautica's refusal to support basic safety conditions for their workers.  I can't say my working conditions in the NYC office were ideal (we were forced to fit in the kitchen with people walking through with microwaved fish, or security doors that actually locked us in when the fire alarm went off).  But to publicly make known that you don't care as a brand about your workers? Wow. 

Does knowing if your favorite designer supports the Bangladesh Accord affect whether or not you want to purchase from them?

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NY FASHION WEEK: Nautica Fall 2013

Under a deep, wet blizzard, the Nautica Menswear Fall 2013 show went on.  Their collection was inspired by Ernest Shackleton, a man famous for his pioneering expeditions into Antarctica. Traditional details inspired by fisherman cables, chunky knits and shearling were given an update with pop color, novelty yarns and sleeker fits.

It was great to see former co-workers looking good, and surprisingly well-rested (when I know they were not).  The cutest couple in the world, Nautica fit model Joe Coleman and Oscar-nominated actress Janet McTeer were cheering on the collection from the front row.

The sedate palette of black, grey, navy and dark brown looked elegant and rugged.  It was easy to understand for their core customer, but more fashion forward than they have been in past years.  The clothes may not hold up to hardcore polar expeditions like the one above, but they look damn good.

The Black Sail collection had plenty of primary colors in clean silhouettes.  The more sporty line fits into the contemporary sailing theme they are known for.  The show was styled by my former classmate at Parsons, Brian Coats.

See the full fashion show here.

Shackleton photo from quitecontinental.net, runway photos by Mariana Leung

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Nautica Spring 2012

At a recent trip to a museum exhibit, I met up with friends wearing a polo shirt and jeans.  My friends ribbed me, saying that it was the most casual they had ever seen me dressed!  Admittedly, my “casual” would oftentimes be what others would call business casual, but I’m just not that laid back of a dresser.  I’m kind of a preppy guy at heart and wearing flip-flops and grunge clothing is really not my thing.

Which brings me to the Nautica Spring 2012 Collection.  The presentation was held on the rooftop deck of the Empire Hotel (you’ll recognize it as Chuck Bass’ hotel on Gossip Girl) and I attended with my dear friend and partner Mariana Leung of MsFABulous.com.  We were able to snag an interview with Creative Director Chris Cox to find out more about the line.  We also spoke with up-and-coming hip hip star fame and got his views on the collection.

I personally own several pieces of Nautica clothing from board shorts and windbreakers to hoodies.  I love the semi-preppy style of Nautica and this season gave me more of what I want.  Great polos, board shorts, hoodies, pants and a few great jackets!  I loved the color range this season, from nautical blues, yellows and whites to bold reds, oranges and yellows.  I have been craving more color in my wardrobe and this line delivers!

As a lifestyle brand, Nautica is a great fit for me and I know that it will answer the needs of a very wide audience.  I can’t wait for the line to hit the stores and go shopping!

-Reported by Mdivani Monroe of LadiesWhoLunchTravel.com

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NY Fashion Week: Nautica Fall 2011

How relevant is sailing attire in the very urban center of Manhattan?  While you ponder that, take a peek at the Fall 2011 offerings from Nautica Sportswear.  This (mostly) menswear label has never been the trendsetter of the industry.  However, it brings value to sportswear staples with nautical details.

  

Outerwear was the standout of their presentation.  Variations on peacoats and toggle coats were the big push.  A lighter grouping of sporty whites had better intentions for the sea.  

An overworked, underslept design team was on hand to show support of their efforts.  More exhausted staff were left back at the studio to toil away for the next season, making sure the clothes fit well…

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NY FASHION WEEK: Nautica Spring 2011

Where is the genteel man?  Nautica's Spring 2011 presentation tried to bring him to you.  The menswear collection showed casual, variations on soft blazers paired with simple knits and woven shirts.  Faded plaids were key as were clean, neutral shorts and pants.  The overall effect was the wardrobe of a relaxed, upscale weekender.  

Swimwear had a different direction.  The beach looks consisted of color blocks and sailing flag motifs.  This is the only category where I saw the brand's nautical theme.  I did not see any of the signature outerwear containing the mariner styling or trims of past seasons.  Is this the sign of the brand's new direction?

What I can say is that there was attention paid to the details and the fit looked great.  I think that the design team and technical designers are clearly underpaid... (Full disclosure, I was a former employee). 

Why a new direction?  One reason might be that the current Nautica fan is very hard to define.  The day of the show, the men I observed wearing Nautica in the street included a food delivery man from Honduras and a retiree from Virginia.  Sail on my friends.

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Ahoy! Nautica Shows Fall 2009 on the USS Intrepid

I absolutely love it when a brand puts the effort into presenting their collection in a fully realized theme. Nautica, eschewing the typical runways of fashion week decided to show the line during a cocktail reception on the newly re-opened Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Setting up their models on tiered platforms, editors and buyers had the opportunity to see the clothes up close and in detail.

Guests were able to relax, grab a glass of wine, and wander through the historical exhibits in addition to the show. I wish more designers would present themselves in such a nice, laid back environment.

Somehow, I don't see Ralph Lauren showing the collection from the back of a horse anytime soon...

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