A dynamic city wardrobe designed for modern life. 

A dynamic city wardrobe designed for modern life. 

Launching globally on September 7, the New York-based contemporary fashion label Theory will offer a men’s and women’s collection by Dutch designer Lucas Ossendrijver. Basking in a casual yet resolute elegance, this capsule lives under Theory Project, a space to elevate the brand through collaboration with top talent. Sharing in mutual core values, both Ossendrijver and Theory believe that style begins with purpose. Building off Theory’s idea of wardrobe solutions, Ossendrijver’s collection brings a sense of excitement and discovery to future and current customers.

Often as we contemplate the boundaries of a solid work/life balance, Ossendrijver’s collection offers silhouettes that unite comfort and movement. These real-world propositions for dressing embrace a relaxed sartorial attitude underlined by a technical approach to minimalism. Inspired by New York, the collection is intended to live and move on city streets and offers a fluid take on city workwear with endless styling possibilities.

Ossendrijver shared,  “In New York, I always feel a sense of purpose. People are always going places, and their attitude and the way they dress reflects this. The styling is a mix that feels accidental and blurs categories. It’s the unexpected element that inspires me."

Through an evolution of Theory’s signature tailoring, the collection explores new territory by using lightness and volume to update traditional suiting and outerwear. Wool flannel, gabardine, and recycled technical fabrics crafted by Japanese and Italian mills are cut into coordinating suits separate from soft, unlined blazers to long, single-breasted jackets finished with French seams.

Roomy coats envelop the jewel-toned layers with concealed buttons and relaxed shoulders. Ossendrijver’s innate sense of color pervades, awash with opulent autumn shades of burgundy and aubergine, tobacco and ochre intersected by sky blues, heather gray, and ultraviolet.

Bomber jackets and parkas balance our exterior and interior lives by contrasting traditional tailoring fabrics with quilted panels, collapsible hoods, and thermo-bonded zips and seams that transform functional elements into sleek design statements.

Drawstring anoraks and hoodies embrace technicality, fusing scuba and recycled nylon with knits, satin, and terry cotton. Paired with fluid tees in wool jersey and multi-stripe shirting in crisp cotton poplin, the single-pleated trousers, and utilitarian 5-pocket pants underpin the collection’s informal eìlan.

For womenswear, femininity echoes throughout the draping in the plisseì column skirts and a bias-cut, asymmetrical mod skirt. Flanked by flounce sleeves or topped with a tie neck, the tiered silk dresses are designed as monochrome staples to layer with camp shirts. Elsewhere, a side-buttoned wool pencil skirt is worn over vulcanized velvet trainers and patent penny loafers accented with a neoprene tongue.

The Theory Project by Lucas Ossendrijver Fall 2022 will be available September 7 at Theory stores and online at  Theory.