In 2018, Lucas Ossendrijver departed Lanvin as its Menswear Designer, heading into more creative spaces such as this partnership with THEORY. Under the umbrella of Theory Project, Ossendrijver’s capsule presents a new men’s and womenswear capsule that is casual yet forever elegant.
Speaking on the project, Ossendrijver said, “In New York, I always feel a sense of purpose. People are always going places, and their attitude and the way they dress reflect this. The styling is a mix that feels accidental and blurs categories. It’s the unexpected element that inspires me.” This approach frequents Ossendrijver’s Theory Project capsule, presenting itself as a collection of clothes designed for the modern-day city worker whose life is in the mix of the New York buzz and office-appropriate attire.
The combination has resulted in a confident array of tones ranging from burgundy and aubergine, tobacco and ochre to sky blues, heather gray and ultraviolet, each working contemporary interpretations of wardrobe staples. Bomber jackets welcome the current of the city, with the collapsable hood and taped seams adding a technical aesthetic, while constructions in scuba and recycled nylon only add to this attitude. Likewise, the use of wool flannel, gabardine, and recycled technical fabrics crafted by Japanese and Italian mills in suits allows THEORY Project to deconstruct both physically and metaphorically, creating long blazers that are unlined and fastened with a single button for another modern approach.
However, if tradition is more your thing, then plissé column skirts and mod skirts usher in that combination of new-meets-old; timeless design details that are set to expand beyond just womenswear in the future. Wool viscose shirts are updated in boxy silhouettes, a blue shirt is subverted with mismatching stripes, and cargo pants are slimmed to present themselves more formally. “I am drawn to Theory because we both believe in empowering people — making their life easier and making them feel good about themselves. Because of Theory’s scale and the purposefulness of the products, the clothes have real impact. It’s not about creating editorial looks that look great in an image or on a catwalk — it’s a product that lives on the street,” notes Ossendrijver.
Shop now:https://uk.theory.com/theory-project/