Sea New York Resort 2022
For her Sea New York Resort 2022 collection, designer Monica Paolini continued her exploration of handcraft, introducing an abstract crochet knit with a psychedelic flavor, which she applied to all manner of wearable silhouettes, from a cottage-core sweater combo-dress to an outdoorsy puffer jacket worn over rich-looking chocolate vegan leather track pants.
Paolini kept her patchwork streak going, too, turning out a new version of the bestselling Henrietta coat in a joyful-looking crazy quilt pattern, alongside an 1980s quilted and pin-tucked denim jacket with a big shawl collar, which added a touch of attitude to the homespun. “Outerwear has been a strong category for us, especially with people dining outside in the cold,” she said.
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A quilted heart motif was new, used as the bodice of a navy sweetheart blouse worn over a red full skirt, and on the scalloped edge of a white short sleeve, tie-back dress.
But the biggest news for the brand, which will show spring 2022 at Copenhagen Fashion Week next month, is its first foray into the home category. Coming this fall, the home collection will be exclusive to Matchesfashion, and include duvet covers and shams.
The look: Fashion-loved 1974 book “Native Funk and Flash” meets ’80s romantic.
Quote of note: “People have an emotional attraction to the clothes, which is why they sold well during the pandemic. They bought pieces they coveted and had to have,” Paolini said of the growth of the brand, which now sells at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Matchesfashion and Sea’s Canal Street flagship in New York City, among other stores. “Now, maybe it makes more sense to open up a few other places,” added chief executive officer Sean Monahan. “A few landlords have come to us in New York and maybe L.A. is another one, Seoul because the brand does well in Korea and maybe Paris.”
Standout pieces: Twofer dresses with removable sweater vests; combo T-shirts with quilted sleeves; acid washed denim milkmaid shirtdresses and jumpsuits; vegan leather track pants; quilted outerwear.
The takeaway: With a lot of design for the price in women’s, children’s and soon home, Sea is a contemporary brand on the rise.
Launch Gallery: Sea New York Resort 2022
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