the elder statesman

Greg Chait‘s The Elder Statesman look is signature: a tie-dye top, a slip-dress, a knit (and not just any knit, but a cashmere, hand-woven sweater of the fleeciest texture). Sounds like today’s trendiest street style? Well, Chait was much, much ahead of the fashion crowd when he revived this Calfiornian, dreamy look. The Elder Statesman’s recent collections have touched on topics like self-realization and talismans, which got the designer thinking about life and the fine line between “darkness and light“. “I realized, it’s really like a game,” he said during the New York presentation of his resort 2020 collection. So he dove into how games simulate life, for better or for worse, from Saga and Nintendo circa the ’90s to ancient Indian board games like Snakes and Ladders and Pachisi. This resulted in the silk checkerboard prints, the crewnecks with jacquard stars and gaming symbols, and the very bold color palette. He didn’t go to literal for the theme, and in overall this is a laid-back, cool The Elder Statesman wardrobe we all need.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Greg Chait continues to evolve creatively with The Elder Statesman, expanding the brand with new additions. While the softest cashmere sweater is a forever signature of this L.A. brand, Chait lets in even more of eclectic, charming craftsmanship. Adam Shrewsbury’s talismanic doodles illustrate the jackets and knits, while North Carolinian denim is washed in tie-dye (just like all the robes that are made from, yes, silk and cashmere). The collection is distinctly laid-back: the styling feels intuitive , while the model’s ecstatically comforted look says it all. I’m always in awe of The Elder Statesman and it’s impressive attention to quality. And it’s even more exciting to see Chait taking his brand even further, for a journey that isn’t over any time soon.