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Nautica: Star Class
Written by: Godfrey Deeny
Photo by: Gruber-FWD
Sep 8, 2001/ FWD/ --- There were few surprises at the Nautica menswear presentation Friday, the opening
day of the New York season - except perhaps for the view.
Staged on the top-floor penthouse of the slickly remodeled Hudson Hotel, the setting did capture something of
Nautica's essence - effortless modern comfort.
As guests quaffed down turquoise vodka cocktails and admired the unimpaired view down Manhattan to the
Statue of Liberty, Nautica's designer and founder David Chu greeted guests with his usual easy charm.
"We wanted to say something about easy dressing for an active lifestyle," Chu explained to FWD as he pointed
out the collection's highlights. Chu has vacationed in Europe frequently in the past few years and his trips
across the pond showed in this collection.
The French Atlantic surf and gambling paradise of Biarritz and Italy's Mediterranean fleshpot of Portofino
showed through in this collection, which featured supple summer suedes, super soft linen blends and pink
Oxford shirts.
One of Chu's greatest talents as a designer is fusing high-tech fabrics with classic cuts. His yachting looks,
entitled Star Class after the sleek two-man Olympic sailboat class, were excellent, composed of hyper-practical
mesh tops, breathable windpants and slick vests. After our second highball, all we could say was Cast Away.
Nautica
Nautica
Nautica
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