Richard Chai, a New York native, began his career in fashion at an early age with a prestigious internship at Geoffrey Beene as an undergraduate at Parsons School of Design. Upon graduation from Parsons, Chai continued his studies at the Lissa School in Paris, during which time he worked as a sketcher at Lanvin.Returning to New York one year later, Chai immediately embarked on his practical experience as an assistant designer at Armani Exchange. He then joined Donna Karan as a designer for the DKNY and D collections. From 1998 to 2001, Chai was the Design
Director for the Marc Jacobs? men?s and women?s collections and the launch of the Marc by Marc Jacobs men?s line. In September 2001, Chai was appointed Creative Design Director of all TSE brands, including men?s, women?s and TSE Say, marking the first time in the company?s history that a single person oversaw all brands.Through his experiences at some of the world?s most influential fashion houses, Chai developed a keen eye for detail, a reverence for architectural design elements, and a strong belief in the importance and value of the construction of clothes. After two years at Tse, Richard Chai established his own company in 2004.WomenswearDuring New York Fashion Week in September 2004, Chai launched his Spring 2005 women?s wear collection in a formal runway presentation. His well-received debut was
a study in understated, yet sophisticated elegance and established his aesthetic sensibility and penchant for clean lines and classic craftsmanship.In September 2009, the designer debuted a new contemporary-priced women?s collection called Richard Chai ? LOVE for Spring 2010. Considered the female counterpart to his menswear label LOVE parallels his men?s line both in its accessible price and in its aesthetic of uniform-inspired classics refined with a modern, downtown sensibility, and a touch of whimsy.MenswearOfficially launched in June 2008 for Spring 2009, Richard Chai launched his eponymous menswear collection with a presentation during Paris Fashion Week. As with his womenswear, Chai takes an architectural approach with his menswear. Design
signatures such as arced seams, intriguing fabric treatments and eclectic color palettes lend a distinctly modern flair while keeping in tune with the classic
heritage of old world tailoring and craftsmanship.In June 2010, Richard Chai was named Swarovski Menswear Designer of the Year at the 2010 CFDA clothes. After two years at Tse, Richard Chai established his own company in 2004.Awards / MilestonesWinner of the 2010 Swarovski Menswear Designer of the Year at the CFDA Fashion Awards
Winner of the 2005 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award
Inducted as a CFDA member in 2007
Selected as a 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards finalist for womenswear
Named one of six finalists in GQ?s s third annual ?Best New Men?s Designers in America? and was featured in a spread in the magazine?s February issue.SIX QUESTIONS FOR RICHARD CHAIWhat will you display?Mostly Fall/Winter 2010 RTW Women?s and Men?s collections, with the addition of something else that might come out of the collaboration or that evolves as the project moves forward. Maybe some old found objects or rare books.
What inspires your fashion designs?NYC, things that are raw and undone, but executed with precision, things with a sense of heritage, subversive simplicity, subtle details, authentic experiences, old world craftsmanship reinterpreted in a modern context, the slightly imperfect,
contrasts, stories, past influences, the possibility of creating memories, music, art, emotion.
How would you describe your style?Sophisticated with an undone edge, urban, eclectic, appearing effortless, never precious, old world craftsmanship executed in a modern way, contrasts, intelligent, deceptively simple.
Please list some architecture precedents you like.Old factories, old bookstores, spaces with history and a feeling, placement and authenticity. Grand lofty spaces. Maison Martin Margiela store in Tokyo, Jean Nouvel residential project in Chelsea, fun house mirrors, Commes des Garcons in Chelsea.
How would you describe your customer?Varied. Of all ages, women and men in their 20s and 50s. The women who buy my clothes are sophisticated with an intelligence. They don?t look for clothes that scream trend or make a statement on them. They have a true sense of self and its the more about the combination of their own personality and my design aesthetic.The men who buy my clothes are masculine with a casual edge. Artists, musicians to bankers who just want to look cool. They aren?t the conservative type. Its more about the idea of someone off duty.Both in the women?s and men?s collections, there?s always an element of things that feel a bit undone and grungy, but contrasted by elegance. My customer is someone who
understands fashion and appreciates things that are well crafted.
Aesthetically, what are you looking for in a store design?Inviting and warm, beautiful, raw and undone, deconstructed yet well crafted with detail and sophistication, textured, eclectic and modern yet with some old world charm, not fussy, not intimidating or unapproachable, not over-designed or too
precious, somewhat minimal and effortless, but not simple, slightly off, intentional color choices but not necessarily colorful (depends). A space that tells a story, inspires, and creates emotion. Reflection of a brand that can be in any city, yet with site/location specific qualities that make it feel like it belongs.