Fashion

The Look of Lafayette

“Style is something that occurs naturally,“ says Lafayette 148 New York’s Design Director Edward Wilkerson. Each season, this New York native and Parsons School of Design graduate, interprets the distinct city style for the Lafayette 148 New York customer with a fresh perspective and a visionary approach. His own New York sense of style with a worldly influence is what makes his designs so distinct. But perhaps it’s
his easy, unpretentious attitude and interpretive side that shine through most in his designs and make his fashions so appealing.

Wilkerson mixes just the right amount of classic design with the season’s trends. His clothing is luxe and beautiful without being ostentatious or showy. And Wilkerson prides himself on producing supremely wearable fashion. “Our customer is a professional and a mom…She is comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t have to show the world that she has all the latest styles,” says the designer who lives and breathes his work. “She utilizes the new styles to reinvent and mix pieces she already has. Our wearer is building on what [she] already owns.” And that building attitude is what keeps consumers returning to the largely popular bridge brand again and again.

Lafayette 148 New York is known for exquisite attention to detail, and solid craftsmanship. And it’s no wonder since Wilkerson, who has a passion for photography (his extraordinary images have been exhibited at a host of venues both internationally and nationally) and travel, is never at rest. “I’m continuously visually stimulated. It can be a blessing and a curse,” he laughs. “Often, I am so enamored by what I see that I have to react as fast as my mind is inspired,” he says, explaining why he is known to always have a camera and sketch book in hand.

The mastermind behind the label’s classic cuts and refined yet relaxed style, joined Lafayette 148 New York in 1998, after an extensive career with the likes of Anne Klein & Co., Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. But he credits his time at Donna Karan as his building blocks and the foundation of his design skills. There, Wilkerson worked from the ground up. “She really taught me everything I know,” recalls the designer who was elected to The Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2004. “There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t let me do. ” Interestingly enough, he candidly discusses his working relationship with Donna Karan and even reveals his departure from the brand. “Donna fired me,” he laughs. “She told me we needed a break but later said I could come back at anytime.” And despite this unconventional departure, their respect and friendship continues on. In fact, Wilkerson will be showing his latest collection of photographs in Karan’s Urban Zen store in July 2009.

And it is that 13-year Donna Karan education that shines through in his current work at Lafayette 148 New York. “[Our customers] know what [they] are getting for their money. And I give them quality,” he explains. “[They] recognize our fit because it’s so consistent.” The women who wear Wilkerson’s designs long for Lafayette 148 New York’s lovely feminine separates, supple leathers, comfy knits and embellished pieces. “Fashion is not always about the latest trends. It’s inspired by a feeling I get somewhere,” says Wilkerson recalling this season‘s inspiration, from the oh-so-caliente shores of Rio, where the designer vacationed four months ago. According to Wilkerson, it was Rio’s relaxed attitude and sex appeal that exuded his much needed inspiration. Now, the Lafayette 148 New York’s Resort 2009 Collection is directly interpreted from his daily walks on Ipanema Beach. He recalls falling in love with the idea of the relaxed Rio attitude. “You had the beach on one side and the Metropolitan heart on the other. The city had a casual feel that made it the ultimate city for resort destinations.“

The trends interpreted for the latest collection include lively uses of color, safari style trenches, madras in unpredictable colors, whimsical ginghams and subtle shine. Lafayette 148 New York fans will also find chic fitted jackets, the must-have spring coat and plenty of girlish dresses, along with, as always, Wilkerson’s signature quiet sophistication and confidence of the city.

While the women of Rio may have served as his muses for Resort 2009, Wilkerson’s muses do change from season to season. For Fall 2008, he recalls his fixation with Bianca Jagger’s iconic 70s look. “She really had style,” he explains. “She shows that you can be smart, sophisticated and stylish at the same time.“ And his recent trip to Japan will likely influence his next collection, he shares. He also recalls his mother’s immaculate sense of style growing up, but it’s Donna Karan that he credits for influencing his style most as a whole.

But it’s Wilkerson’s perseverance and determined attitude that have gotten him to his current stature. And his genuine love of his work is obvious in speaking with him. He laughs recalling a time at Parsons during his Junior year where he was told “you don’t have what it takes to be a designer.” He even shares that he failed draping back in his school days but when he re-challenged himself with the class at FIT, he received an “A”. For Wilkerson, design is not work but a passion and he credits his focus as the secret to his success. Each day he challenges himself to interpret the world as he sees it through his photography into wearable designs for his customers. He explains, “When I wake up in the AM, I want to discover something else by changing looks.”

Meet designer Edward Wilkerson at his personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach Gardens on January 29. Lafayette 148 New York is available at Saks Fifth Avenue Stores statewide.

Quick Minute Questions:

What do you think is the most important trend of the spring season?
A very feminine blouse with wide leg pants

What past trend could you have done without?
Grunge

What fashion classic is always best in your book?
A fitted blazer

If you had pursued a different career path, what would it have been?
Architect

Who is your favorite designer?
Yohji Yamamoto.

His clothes are not just stylish but there is so much thought behind them.