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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