Richard Chai Love Spring 2014

Fresh, clean and preppy are the boys and girls of Richard Chai Love.  His spring 2014 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was full of easy silhouettes in white, brighter pastels and a summering version of camouflage.  Variegated stripes were mixed with a warm weather moto jacket alternative. 

Richard Chai was briefly a classmate of mine at Parsons.  He dropped out to do his own thing and I think it paid off.  His look is simple, privileged, like the crew from Gossip Girl went out to the country and played lawn tennis.  Accessories were minimal.  Boat shoes for guys, comfortable, but chic sandals for the ladies.  Hair was combed back for a simple classic look. 

Not fan of front row stalking, but the Geek in me couldn't help but be giddy at Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) sitting next to each other... (Next to Zachary were the Jonas Brothers, but not nearly as excited about them).

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Richard Chai Fall 2013

Parsons alumni shout-out! Fellow classmate Richard Chai's Fall 2013 collection from NY Fashion week looked like a chic utilitarian uniform for the future utopia.  Too wordy?  The runway reminded me of the zen wardrobe of the 1997 movie Gattaca .  The color palette was full of greys, black and an accent of violet.  The silhouettes were tailored but not severely tailored.  

The guy we nicknamed "Richie Rich" in class always manages to nail that pretty/preppy, understated privileged look dead-on.  I'm not saying that was his own lifestyle, but he knows how to project our fantasy version of that look very well.   Maybe the bored look of the models helps.  

Does anyone else remember the movie Gattaca? Or was I the only one who watched it?

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Richard Chai Spring 2013

Happy spring separates were all over the runway of my fellow Parsons alumni, Richard Chai at New York Fashion Week.  The clothes were breezy, light and very wearable.  The skirts were short and flirty for women.  The jackets and pants were slim and comfortable, but not skinny.  

The color palette of cream, grey, sunny yellow, ice blue and beige was easy for anyone to adapt.  There were some pretty silver embellishments on tees and matte/shine elements to other pieces.  Pretty floral prints that tied in all the colors worked for most women, though it felt young and fresh.

This collection isn't avant-garde, it was just friendly and likable.  What you would want a spring collection to be.  Best of luck Richie!

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Subdued Cool at Richard Chai Fall 2012

Shout-out to my fellow Parsons School of Design alumni Richard Chai.  He has been one of the more notable successes from my graduation year.  He just landed a collaboration with boot brand Palladium and is the darling of men's and women's hipster threads.

At Parsons, we used to joke that black and grey were the official school colors.  It seems he brought that reference back as the first half of the show were variations of black and grey separates or stripes.  There was a bit more color added in the form of very subdued hues of navy and russet along with the black and grey.




This is a designer that manages to show men's and women's looks seamlessly, so they actually look like they come from the same collection.  Richard Chai isn't doing anything earth-shattering, but wearable.  Some of the jackets had odd proportions. The over-sized 3/4 coats on women looked like she was borrowing from her father, and the short, wide double breasted jackets on the men just looked ill fitting.

More school references... The giant backpacks seemed to be a throwback to all of the supplies we used to have to carry to class. At the risk of dating myself, Chai also had modernized versions of Morissey songs as the soundtrack.  It was the sleep-deprived student's anthem.

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NY FASHION WEEK: Richard Chai Spring 2012

Is next spring going to be really chilly?  What's with the blue lips?  I kid of course, I was just happy to see bold makeup when so many other shows displayed nude lips.

I went to school with Richard Chai where he was lovingly called "Richie Rich" (not to be confused with the blond club kid).  He showed graphic contrast stripes and bright colored cottons.  Like many emerging designs graduating to hit brands, he made menswear and womenswear equally important.  The floral prints had a 1980's edge.  They reminded me of the color palette and looks my Mom used to favor when I was a child.  She was a stylin' Mama.

The sportswear separates were flattering and casual.  Exactly what I would want to wear on a typical day in Spring.

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Shop to Help Japan - Designers Save For Tsunami

In times of need, the fashion community gets together to help those who require it most.  Designers and retailers across the board have banded together to produce fundraising events.  Others have donated product for sale with the proceeds going to Tsunami victims like H & M and Uniqlo.  Shopping sites like Ideeli and Gilt have created portals to donate directly.

United Bamboo, Philip Lim body held sample sales to raise aid money.  Theory set up drop boxes for direct donations of items.

If you want to shop for a cause, some designers created a specially-designed product to help. Rebecca Minkoff is donating $100 of each red handbag sold to the Red Cross.  Polo Ralph Lauren is selling a special edition polo where the proceeds will benefit the United Way.  Lady Gaga's website is selling "We Pray for  Japan" wristbands.

The BIG shopping event is coming up from Fashion Girls for Japan.  Over 60 NY designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam, Richard Chai, Diane Von Furstenburg (just to name a few) will have rolling racks of goodies to be sold to benefit the American Red Cross.  The event takes places this Saturday and Sunday at the Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery Street, NYC).

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