KAI D and friend
“TOOLS & CLOTHING FOR ARTISANS”
75 Orchard Street, Lower East Side
September 29th 2009,
7:00PM
Words, Judith Ecochard
Images, Courtesy of Designer and J. Ecochard
It was SRO- barely, at the new Kai D. store located mid block in NYC’s historic now really hip, lower East side.
Suitably- a block from the Tenement Museum, the handsome store reminds us of Kai D’s work loft that we visited last Spring.
“Doesn’t it look familiar,” Kai chuckled when we caught up with him to offer a big congrats.
This is a good thing…and we were thrilled to see the smart, functional and so well made Fall/Winter collection we had previewed, built up with a few new selections for the holidays.
THE COLLECTION RECAP”
Inspired by hunting gear, work wear worn by hard hat types, and vintage military uniforms (done with subtle modern elements, not dated costume gimmicks), Kai Ds full line never misses a beat.
This is really one of the few menswear lines we can think of that the guys in our life (tall, built American types) would wear without hesitation. Kai looks great in his attire too...btw.
The separates get the best fabrics and finishes--- and have bumped up survival design details that we usually only find in true performance wear gear---like inner pockets for iPods, utility zips, double reinforced stitching, and stash compartments that lie flat, not bulky.
Plus, “entirely local-based resources produce the collection.”
Highlights are the Bowery Shirt –a versatile “little black shirt” and the Bond Street Wool Jacket…in a pin stripe or solid shade.
The limited edition “Build The Future Collection” of tees, bags and stationary…with 20% of sales donated directly to the glorious NEW YORK CARES-the Big Apple’s leading volunteer organization that touches so many urban lives in a positive way… and GIVE SOMETHING BACK INTERNATIONAL. … that help kids learn. As in build a future.
THE STORE:
Kai had an idea for some type of shop back when we met him in May, “to see how people react to the collection.” Amazingly, he got the space in late August and built the space out in a matter of weeks.
HOURS: Monday through Saturday 11-8PM and Sunday 11-7pm...till end of Novemebr
The Kai D menswear collection is also available in Neiman Marcus and Takashiyma NY.
INFO: KAI UTILITY
