By Chevaun Jackson
Madewell, the three year-old little sister company of J. Crew, debuted their spring 2011 collection last week. It is a colorful, relaxed collection inspired almost completely (about 90%) by the everyday style of common New Yorkers. Head designer Kin Ying Lee said, “We’re absolutely in love with street style in New York. How people put their loves together in a way that’s unique, thoughtful and individual.” And the inspiration is apparent from the first piece tot the last. There’s a range of intriguing print combinations—plaid mixed with animal for example. There’s also plenty of layering, simple silhouettes, texture with pleated skirts and embroidered shorts, and boyish accents. The other 10% of the collection is inspired by travel and the unique souvenirs and pieces one would pick up. This sense of travel inspired a blanket with an Argentinean look and a straw hat reminiscent of Australia. The accessories of the 2011 spring collection — peep-toe booties, worn in satchels and pretty simple jewelry — are so easy you’ll want to stock your closet come spring. Madewell also collaborated with Dylan Forsberg of Where I Want To Be, to create a series of t-shirts in the collaboration.
But isn’t fashion supposed to be over the top and fun, especially on runways? So why would Madewell take the opposite route and design their studio space in New York into a corner newsstand, fully equipped with coffee and donuts? To Ying Lee while it’s fun to see the spectacle of clothes that generally grace runways, that a lot of the clothes aren’t exactly realistic everyday get-up which makes actual style, and creativity something aspiring in fashion right now.