Rarely do we come across designers who manage to satiate our yearning for clothes that are über artsy and come with a shelf-life of at least three seasons; yet CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Richard Chai manages to maintain this type of resume. A man who assisted in the launch of the Marc by Marc Jacobs line, who brought TSE back to life and who also holds a Ecco Domani award, sits besides the Derek Lam and Peter Som as one of the few “bright Asian modern designers”. His pre-spring collection is a brilliant amalgamation of fine tailoring and contemporary trends, a fact acknowledged by both, buyers and editors alike.

Chai chooses to play with textures and graphics. The prints are traditional impressionist floral, quite similar to that of a Monet painting, yet what breaks the predictability is his clever use of black trimmings. Blazers and cropped jackets keep the look fresh and clean particularly when teamed up with a itsy-bitsy pair of shorts. Shrunken hemlines and structured silhouettes characterize this collection and waists remain defined with trousers worn high. A easy-breezy mood echos in the hues and shades ranging from whites to pastels and even earth tones.

Chai’s upcoming assortment for spring channels the essence of a new beginning … attire that’s carefree, yet crisp and bright, completely suitable for warm weather. To learn more on Chai visit RChai.com; below are highlights of his recent collection. [Images courtesy of Style.com]

- Dyuti Mishra