Patrik Ervell - Spring 2011 - Review

Patrik Ervell stuck to what he does best for Spring 2011: stunningly slim and boyish suits and jackets, elegant outerwear, and rounded collar button up shirts. While I'm not exactly disappointed by this collection, I am most certainly underwhelmed.

If I could own everything Mr. Ervell produces, I would certainly be a happy camper, but at the end of this brief collection I am left wondering, "Where is the runway?" This is a runway presentation is it not? To me, these garments look as if they are walking straight from the runway into stores. While it's all well and good to be wearable, this simply lacks pizzaz!

Yes, everything looks great, the colors are gorgeous, and the fit is impeccable, but one needs to find the medium between the outlandishness of Rag & Bone's Spring 2011 showing, and the controlled nature of this collection. I've seen it done many times this season, so it makes me question the necessity of showing for these designers who present less of a lifestyle that must be communicated on a runway than they do simply elegant clothes.

At the end of the day, I'll still be a Patrik Ervell customer. I would die for the navy car coat, the black blazer, and the tan crew neck sweater. While he hasn't moved in any new direction or taken any risks, his clothes are still chic. They simply have more hanger appeal than they do runway appeal.

SAVE - Gap x CFDA x Patrik Ervell

Although the items may be pricey, considering the workmanship and name attached, I would definitely consider all of the items by Patrik Ervell on sale at the Gap x CFDA pop-up store on 53rd and 5th a save. Ervell got his start selling his pieces in one of my favorite stores, Opening Ceremony, and just recently won the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Award along with Sophie Theallet and Monique Péan.
Ervell designed a stiff jean, a white cotton sweater, a tweed and silk blazer, a white button down, and a white tee for the collaboration, all retailing significantly under his full-priced lines usual cost, while maintaining the same workmanship (the blazer is hand stitched). I picked up the white cotton sweater ($198) and the silk blazer ($248), both of which will be perfect for the summer, but versatile enough to transition into the fall. The fit of the blazer is slim and smaller (I had to go a size up from my normal 38 to a 40 just to move my arms), but fit perfectly once I found the right size.
Ervell's other wears can be found at Opening Ceremony down on Howard Street (or online), where his blazers retail for around $650-$1100.
Make sure to get there quick. I did a little research and discovered that everything on the floor (i.e. everything in this picture as of now), is all thats in stock for the entire run of the capsule collaboration. The pop-up remains open for the rest of the month, but with the phone orders coming in like the crazy the whole time I was there, I would make sure to make a trip next weekend. Save.

SOURCE OF PICTURE: Fashionista