Feature Label — Claude Grant Spring 2009

The Grant Way

Spring 2009 is Claude Grant’s sec­ond col­lec­tion, yet the label has already arrived at a chic new level that is effort­less.  Just like his fall col­lec­tion, Grant’s spring col­lec­tion is one of the most cohe­sive col­lec­tions with­out being dull. With a col­lec­tion that is an excel­lent exam­ple of embrac­ing the over­sized aes­thetic in a well-​​balanced way, the sil­hou­ettes and pro­por­tions are per­fected to the finest degree.  Claude Grant is def­i­nitely one designer to watch as his future is des­tined to be bright.

Q&A with Claude Grant

What is your fash­ion background?

I have never had the oppor­tu­nity to work for some­one else. I’ve interned how­ever while in col­lege with John Bartlett. After leav­ing John Bartlett, I opened a stu­dio as a small bespoke men’s ser­vice in the West Vil­lage. The retail line was launched with the Fall 2008 collection.

How do you approach the sil­hou­ette when designing?

I don’t have a for­mula approach­ing my sil­hou­ette. I do favor cer­tain shapes at present for my gar­ments, but have been slightly alter­ing them each sea­son. Of course the sea­son has a lot to do with select­ing the color palette, but it is mainly dic­tated by the mood of the col­lec­tion. I am how­ever very par­tial to gray.

Com­par­ing your first col­lec­tion to your most recent col­lec­tion, what would you say is the biggest difference?

It is slightly less tra­di­tional in con­struc­tion. The pieces are also more light­weight. Sum­mers are get­ting hot­ter and there is a move­ment towards lighter dress­ing in menswear that I would like to be a part of.

Is there a story you are try­ing to tell with your spring collection?

I sup­pose I try to sug­gest a story. Sub­tlety is very impor­tant to me when design­ing, among other things, so I pre­fer the pieces to speak softly, while (hope­fully) say­ing some­thing profound.

Describe your spring col­lec­tion in adjectives.

Light­weight, sim­ple, classic

Have you started work on the fall col­lec­tion? What do you have in mind?

Yes I have started fall. Sur­prise is a valu­able ele­ment, so I wont divulge much, but it is inspired by early 20th cen­tury Amer­ica, col­lege ath­let­ics, and jazz.

Pic­tures from Claude Grant