Spring Fashion Preview
Zen-vs.-Walking Dead collection has Rag & Bone designers searching for simpler life
NEW YORK — While many designers are touting big florals, bright colors and wild embellishments for next spring, Rag & Bone designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville are going a different route. The duo are instead offering a collection that's almost Zen-like it is beauty and simplicity, although there's a bit of a militaristic edge, too.
It's like Walking Dead meets yoga class. Maybe that's the sign of the times.
Wainwright and Neville present a polished pared-down look that feels right for their urban customer who doesn't want a lot of muss and fuss in this crazy, chaotic world.
Working with monocromatic colors — shades of white, navy, black and beige — with a dash of Army olive and a palm-print camouflage pattern in brown and white, Wainwright and Neville present a polished pared-down look with an emphasis on natural fabrics that feels right for their urban customer who doesn't want a lot of muss and fuss in this crazy, chaotic world.
There are virtually no preppy hipster looks that the brand is known for. Instead, the collection features clean, calm styles— floaty long dresses, sleeveless long tunic coats over pants, oversized blazers closed with a strap instead of buttons — and ready-for-a-rumble looks— judo pants with a long leather tank top, and a military vest and slouchy pants in army green silk perfect for hand-to-hand combat with Zombies or whatever an apocalyptic future might offer.
One particularly distinctive look draws a little bit of both sides of the collection with a pleated skirt that's looks like a pair of pants from the mid-thigh up, worn with a cotton crop top.
Outerwear is a highlight, with some terrific parkas in white cotton or a distinctive camo pattern, a stunning navy cropped double breasted jacket, a tan trench with contrasting white buttons and olive belt, and a cool-looking quilted hoodie.
Many looks are worn with thick, comfortable-looking black-and-white sandals or two-tone tennies with velco straps and close-to-the-body satchels for a street-style look that looks comfortable but is ready for urban life.