Zac Attack
Zac attack at Brooks Brothers: Posen livens up classic brand, adds evening looks
What:Brooks Brothers fall collection presentation.
Where: The Glass House during New York Fashion Week.
Nighttime looks: In his second season as creative director for the Brooks Brothers women's line, Zac Posen introduced evening wear for the first time, showing such looks as a sleeveless velvet gown with a dramatic back cowl neck, a floral jacquard cocoon coat with detachable fox-fur collar, and a chic tuxedo jacket with satin lapels and cropped pants for a women who wants a black-tie alternative.
"I personally think every woman should own a feminine tuxedo," he says.
Classic daywear: Posen also presented signature daytime looks, such as the classic camel hair coat with wider lapels and big pockets, dresses of an oversized medallion print, and flannel trousers and jackets cut short and long in a more modern proportion with menswear-inspired tweed suiting — a Brooks Brothers trademark.
"My stamp was really about tapping into the essence of Brooks Brothers itself. Revising the quality that we stood for, signature elements, working on the fit. The classics were there, it's was just about expanding out the lifestyle in a non-thematic way," Posen says.
"There's are definitely signature pieces within the collection, like within the LBD (Little Black Dress), and then re-evolving the fit which had gotten really frumpy. It's a great opportunity for me to do classic American sportswear at a very high quality price, I don't think of Brooks as a trendy fashion."
Collaboration: Posen's association with Brooks Brothers has definitely brought a cooler vibe the venerable brand. And it's lent the designer some international connections.
"We're in mostly every major fashion city with a reach across the world. I feel like I'm an ambassador to effortless great American style and what we have contributed to sportswear, so it's quite exciting," Posen explains.