Richard Chai's customers must be planning a busy spring, bouncing from the golf course to the Scottish Highlands to the beach. Maybe they'll squeeze in a safari.
Chai's Love label was among the curtain raisers at New York Fashion Week on Thursday, offering both men's and women's collections.
There was a slight androgynous vibe on the catwalk, with colors, patterns and even some silhouettes moving rather seamlessly between the male and female models.
Some of the best looks were in an iris print — effortless tied-around-the-waist skirts for her and a pullover shirt for him. Texture had a big role in the clothes, and that stepped up the solid double-breasted balmacaan coat and coated cotton blazer. The dominant shades of navy, coral, green and yellow also worked for everyone, even the lace-up shoes.
For women, there were several versatile dresses, including a chalk-colored shift dress with subtle Swarovski pearl beads on the front and a small cutout on the bodice. The kilt skirt worn over slim trousers is for a more specific customer but cute nonetheless.
Some of the men's clothes seemed a bit over the top, however. The baggy board shorts were just too much fabric, especially with the matching blazers, and the muscle T seems a stretch for the runway.
Try picturing the basketball stars lining the front row — Dwayne Wade and A'mare Stoudemire — in the snakeskin-style striped tank.
Those guys could pull off the flowery Hawaiian shirts, though.