Nicholas K S/S 2011 Collection Preview

The Spring/Summer 2011 season will mark the first time the brother and sister team behind Nicholas K, Nicholas Kunz (the designer) and her brother/business partner Christopher Kunz, show their collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in their own time-slot.

The label previously showed in a slot shared by two other designers (a first at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week).

This season, the designer’s show will take place on Thursday, September 9th at 9 am in the Studio at Lincoln Center.

The label has offered a sneak peek at what they’ve got planned for their upcoming show, which will be strongly utilitarian inspired.

The designers explain that their collection will take on "a rugged, but avant-garde military vibe infused with dusty, earth color tones, and a modern spin on classic looks."

Keeping the tough and strong nature of army attire,  Nicholas Kunz also experimented with new textures this season, including sand-washed cotton velour, and a puckered cotton voile.

His goal was to lighten up the feeling of the clothes while providing a layered, draped look.

We can expect a military color palette consisting of rich army greens and browns, creams, and navy blues to offer more transitional options.

For women, the collection has updated some traditional patterns by adding striped checks and combinations like a woodland and fog camouflage, while mixing in olive drab outerwear that highlights the military feel of the collection.

For men, sheer basics and scoop neck shirts were designed to give a spring feel.

Further, we are told that “jackets and sweaters were focal points in both collections, with contrasting patched fatigues and oversized hoods throughout."

By inserting transitional pieces, such as trench coats that have removable hoods and sleeves, and washed chocolate leathers, this collection offers multiple ways for the pieces to be worn while providing statement layering essentials.

Personally, as a big fan of anything stereotypically Parisian, I’m most excited to see the light cotton berets with hand-sewn leather trimming – should be an exciting collection!