Rachael Bennett

Men's shirting will be the central theme throughout the collection

the fresh pastel color palette adds interest to the collection based on mens shirting as the colors pop when juxtaposed with classic menswear checks and stripes. the colors that make up the final palette are reminiscent of Brooks Brother's button down shirts from the 1980's. 

central theme is expanded into smaller vignettes. These vignettes will eventually become sequential deliveries. 

the most important organizational tool that pulls together all styles by fabrication and sampling numbers, fabric information and developments, print colorways and lab dips, factory allocations, and garment development stage all in one place.

draping prior to sketching ensures a dramatic and completely unique point of view from the start of the collection. in this example, I have started with a previously sold bestselling boyfriend jacket. For newness I twisted the collar and seams to create an asymmetrical and unexpected sportswear style that is still wearable.   

the play on menswear shirting is bold.  a classic menswear stripe is placed on the trench sleeve, twisted a pinstripe suit into a sexy women's look, redrafted the men's shirt sleeve cap into a square and attached it the exterior of the shoulder creating an ironic ruffle effect. lastly, played with a sweater vest/men's shirt tromp-l'oeil. 

here a men's shirt becomes a romper followed by a flirty shirtdress tromp-l'oeil, and lastly a chiffon trench coat in a less traditional soft pastel print. the feminine pastel prints juxtaposed against the graphic menswear check is ironic and memorable.

this page is inspired by my father's daily work uniform of short sleeved, plaid, button down work shirts and trousers.  also illustrated is the twisted jacket/vest shown previously as a drape.