NYFW: ORGANIC by John Patrick Spring 2011

ORGANIC by John Patrick Spring 2011 (photo: Abigail Doan)

(photo: Abigail Doan)

(photo: Abigail Doan)

ORGANIC by John Patrick Spring 2011 (photo: Abigail Doan)

Might it be too bold to say that only a handful of designers understand the American fascination with timeless (sustainable) style the way that John Patrick does? In this new era of frugality chic, ORGANIC by John Patrick is a label that marries our hard-won values with stunning home-brewed classics and grosgrain extras.

While chatting with John Patrick after his sunny and fresh ORGANIC Spring 2011 presentation at the Ace Hotel in NYC yesterday, it became apparent to me that he is a man who approaches his designs with a masterful recipe for nostalgia mixed with bright optimism. As someone who uprooted his operation from the daily bustle and hype of NYC, one cannot help but to admire this individual’s roll up your sleeves attitude towards unfussy style and living.

(photo: Abigail Doan)

ORGANIC by John Patrick Spring 20ll conjures images of perfectly tilled fields, straw bales glimmering in the sunshine, and crisply ironed linens stacked on a ladder back chair. (I honestly wanted to hand his models tall glasses of minty lemonade while they stood under the hot lights.) In terms of the textile detailing on the pieces, the styling was impeccable and confidence building in a multitude of ways.

John Patrick tweaks his Spring 2011 classic trench 

Spring’s 18 looks included: a belted linen trench, crisp cotton pleated trousers, a mocha chiffon blouse, floral printed skirts and dresses, a nude-hued recycled polyester pleated skirt, a chambray shirt and short set, a navy silk blazer, an embroidered white cotton dress, and the list goes on. These were all beautiful pieces but with the added purpose and grit that might see one through many a season as well as an unpredictable climate.

(photo: Abigail Doan)

Lessons learned: Sustainability is not about materials alone. Sure this is a significant part of the equation, but it also high time to look at the whole picture when it comes to ethical sourcing, de-centralized manufacturing, and even the greener lifestyle choices of celebrated designers. It’s not easy to walk away from the fashion parade of jet setting, urban life, but John Patrick has done just this and consequently created a way for us to experience refinement in our day-to-day lives while also smartly updating the past for a brighter future.

(photo: Abigail Doan)

*ORGANIC Spring 2011 presentation jewlery: Lizzie Fortunato; shoes: Dieppa Restrepo; hats: David Steele for ORGANIC; sunglasses: Cutler and Gross; and make-up and hair styling by Aveda