There’s an interesting push-and-pull happening inside of the 6397 studio. Stella Ishii and her team have built 6397 to be a brand of offbeat staples, like a patchwork jacket compiled from leftover scraps of denim production, or their mondo-size cuff jean. But then there’s the fact that Ishii and company have, somewhat inadvertently, become a hot commodity in the country club world. It’s not that surprising—in a market that is super saturated with statement pieces, 6397’s classic jeans, pull-on tropical wool pants, and unfussy cashmere sweaters have mass appeal.
Can 6397 go mass without losing the rebellious spirit that makes it so special? Ishii and her team have found a balance for Resort by subverting the very upper-crust staples they’re making. Take a piqué T-shirt dress: in Nantucket blue and red stripes, it hints at propriety, but it’s blown up to be extra loose, almost grungy even. A three-quarter button-down is extra boxy while a heathered suit in dusty pink has a draped back that flies outwards with the introduction of a breeze. Another plaid suit might seem professional, but it’s cut in fleece, like a favorite sweatshirt. The brand has also expanded its color range to include a murky chartreuse and rose pink, used sparingly but effectively on a silk skirt and a pair of nylon pants. There’s even a safety orange anorak that packs up into its pouch.
The season’s graphics include a Phish-worthy “Far Rock” scrawl and a simple-text print that reads “You Are Here.” The latter is a nod to John Lennon, who sang “Love has opened up my eyes/ Love has blown right through/ Wherever you are, you are here,” to Yoko Ono in a 1973 track of the same name. In the showroom, the Beatles were playing throughout this appointment. If anyone ever balanced widespread success with remaining cool as hell, well, let’s just say Ishii and her team have found a kindred spirit in Lennon.
