GREI S/S 2015

The NYC studio’s latest collection offers scarves and sweatpants in relaxed, natural fabrics and native shades of blue

1 April 2015

NYC-based independent brand GREI was founded in 2011 thanks to a love for the brand’s namesake neutral color and its unusual ability to express a wide range of moods: from somber to soothing to sophisticated. Partners Andrew Spargo and Larry Paul have since slowly grown the line to offer high-quality accessories and ready-to-wear that age with grace, much of which is indigo-dyed in small batches. And it is GREI’s palette of neutral colors—which has expanded to natural shades of blues with grey undertones—that distinguishes their look. Their S/S ’15 collection is filled with comfortable, made-in-USA pieces (many of which are non-gendered) with just a twist of avant-garde: tote bags made from washed canvas and Bolivian rugs, sheer breathable crinkly tees, hooded shirt dresses, knit denim sweatpants, knee-length dashikis and more.

“I refer to the collection as The Bluffs,” Spargo explains to CH. “It reminds me of the scenic drive starting in Malibu heading north to Big Sur. Native influences accent a quiet palette of hand-dyed chambray, Japanese crinkle and textured washed denim. The attitude is relaxed and fabrics are hand-worked, giving each piece a lived-in quality like your favorite pair of jeans. You can definitely see influences from Larry’s background growing up in Ojai, CA combined with my family’s quilting heritage and our fascination with artisanal methods. I’m especially excited about the fabrics this season as they combine natural fibers with Japanese technology giving you the best of both camps.”

GREI’s scarves have always been the company’s strength, and this latest collection includes a blue patchwork panel scarf made up of three different fabrics as well as cashmere and silk scarves made with Italian Cariaggi yarns (and knitted on Shima Seiki machines with seamless technology, so the garments drape more naturally).