Derek Lam's SANAA-designed Crosby Street boutique and office space inspired his smart Resort lineup—in an unexpected way. "My architects make models of the store with miniature mannequins in miniature versions of my clothes," said the designer, who took the paper dolls idea and ran with it. For example, the holes in the cotton twill eyelet he used for a pair of shorts and a slim skirt looked like you might have scissored them yourself. (This was refined DIY, mind you—those items were paired with a snug cashmere sweater with a longer hem in back and a crisp camp shirt, respectively.) Lam also had caution-orange crepe de chine chintzed three times to create the almost starchy, Kraft paper-y texture of a shirtdress. Small, white-washed leather bags on long shoulder straps extended the motif to accessories. Crafty inspiration aside, though, this collection was signature Lam: urban and polished.
