Fashion Feature: Richard Chai Love Spring 2012

Supermodel Lindsay Wixson/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Within a few days of fashion week, the major trends begin to reveal themselves. As if somehow connected by telepathy groups of designers will be inspired by similar ideas, whether it's Retro 40's, Nomadic Traveler, or simply a near religious adherence to the cult of Clean Lines, cliques of on-trend collections begin to form.  And then there are the outsiders, the ones that don't really fit in with any identifiable group, the designers that season after season are marching to a beat only they hear. Richard Chai is just such a designer, and his Spring 2012 collection was definitely a loan wolf in the trend-centric crowd.

supermodel Hanne Gaby Odiele/Image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeFlattened florals had an almost graphic appeal as if photographed in the negative and silk-screened on to the pieces to create a modern urban pattern, that had nothing in common with the sweet prints we saw elsewhere.  For added impact, the florals were mixed with bold stripes and neon details for a look that vacillated between a layered grunge vibe, and a cleaner almost art-deco look. 

Model Krystal Glynn/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

In addition to the bold prints, unusual silhouettes cropped up everywhere on the women's pieces. The most interesting, (and honestly the one that veered into the perplexing arena) were the half-skirts that sometimes felt like a cross between a utility-kilt and an apron as they lay on the front of slim cut pants. 

model Miles McMillan/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeFor men's wear Chai offered a wide array of options, from relaxed monochromatic looks, to more structured stripes, to a smattering of florals-for-men pieces created from the same 'negative-photo' print seen in the women's looks. 

For more images from the Richard Chai Love Spring 2012 collection check out the Style Wylde Galleries.