The work of American photographer Tyler Mitchell was the driving force behind the Derek Lam 10 Crosby resort collection. Mitchell has photographed the likes of Beyoncé and Vice President Kamala Harris for Vogue, and his monograph I Can Make You Feel Good envisions a Black utopia. There’s a wholesomeness to his pictures, a joy and simplicity that Lam and his team sought to lend their offer this season.
From the optimism and the warmth of Mitchell’s work, Lam distilled primary colors: a soft bright yellow, cerulean blue, and poppy red punctuate the lookbook. The opening look, a yellow trench worn over purple trousers and paired with red boots felt novel and directional, the zebra and floral prints less so (though these are sure to be popular for holiday dressing). Knitwear was an emphasis, in the form of cozy cable knit sweaters and cardigans and light, tightly knit rib polos and dresses. Denim is also a growing space; Lam is offering his best selling trouser cuts in the stuff, in addition to traditional five pocket styles. “Power casual” is what he calls all of this, a way of dressing that leans into a return to office and a need to dress up while keeping comfort in mind; something his customer will surely appreciate.
Perhaps part of finding inspiration in Mitchell’s work also had a thing or two to do with his famous subjects? The women who like to embody the VP’s style will find a match in Lam’s double-breasted jackets, though they might just switch the heeled boots for a sensible pair of Chucks. That’s power casual.
