NY Fashion Week: Jack Spade Presents "Urban Utility" for Spring 2015

Clustering New York Fashion Week goers stood in the IAC Building lobby at 555 West 18th waiting for Jack Spade's Spring 2015 presentation to begin. Four sections of models on platforms segmented the collection by color. The first wave of male models featured oranges, tans and brown leathers. A LED screen that lined the east side of the wall featured flowing colors. Indigo faded into lighter shades of blue.

Jack Spade Design Director Todd Magill explained that Jack Spade's creative team produced the LED presentation. "Our creative team made it by pouring paint on top of a board and then filmed it. We matched the color to the collection. Also, because this presentation is very modern and digital, we wanted it to be pouring paint to cut the edge and give the collection a hand touched feeling. Even thought we're modern there's something very warm about Jack Spade. We don't go super slick, but I still consider us modern."

As the blues transitioned on the wall with pouring paint motions, the second section of models featured deep blues, grays, graphic black and white bags and luxe sweat shorts and pants. Blue faded into green where the third section of models stood in earthy greens and complimentary browns. Section four featured lighter browns and brighter greens. Floral camo and chambray floral prints added just enough punch to the presentation.

The collection was styled by Deborah Watson who used color stacking to create depth and achieve an architectural feel. Many looks featured multiple shades of a hue "stacked" on top of each other. The only swimwear look was a sea green trunk layered with a tan cardigan accessorized with a darker tan leather duffle bag with a forest green leather bottom. White Adidas by Stan Smith filled the room and looked particularly fantastic with the swimwear.

The whole collection plays on the utilitarian look. Jack Spade pieces are functional while exuding an air of modernity. Structural lines work into very wearable and durable pieces. The durability is clear in some of the outerwear. Magill commented, "We mixed a lot of packable, nylon pieces. There's a blazer you can roll up and throw in your bag for when you're running to the gym or out with friends. The whole idea of this collection was based on the idea of functionality."

The collection is about "urban utility," which encompasses looking good in transitional moments by mixing sports and work clothes. Magill is heavily inspired by architecture, saying, "I always look at artists and architects. There's something very architectural in what we do." The IAC Building provided a strict contrast from last season's presentation at The New York Public Library; a great depiction of the brand's range from classic menswear to modern detailing. There were even boxes of water (opposed to bottles of water) that fit into the architectural feel of the collection/brand.