To highlight the clothes currently inhabiting our fantasy wardrobe, we've teamed up with vitaminwater and asked The FADER's extended family of photographers, stylists and models to pool their talents and showcase some of the best threads around. Each Styled by FADER will feature a different brand's collection of the season that sits at the top of our most-wanted list. This week, we bring you Riviera Club. Click through the slideshow to see more photos from the shoot and to read our thoughts about the brand.
We caught up with the trio of designers behind California's Riviera Club, Joe Sadler, Derek Buse and Greg Ullery, who answered our questions collectively about their great new fall collection.
What was your starting point for the collection? The California Wine Renaissance. Turn of the century Napa. The people, the land, the grapes.
Would you call yourselves preppy? Dapper? Gentlemanly? We joke with the phrase "polished dishevelment." It’s California’s spin on prep. Well-dressed, yet natural.
California is a perfect image, actually, because the Riviera Club guy is dressed up but never stuffy, always a bit relaxed. We keep it relaxed by not taking it too seriously. It’s a light-hearted approach to keeping things fresh and surprising. Think beer pong on a Slim Aarons set.
How important is color to you? Some of those bright chinos were true statement pieces. After defining the season’s concept, immediately comes the palette. Color before fabric, styling and everything else. It’s one way we try to separate ourselves by keeping it unpredictable and fun.
Did you have a soundtrack in your head when you were designing fall's collection? I think so, definitely. We love the classics, but last season’s playlist consisted of a lot of things we listened to while driving from winery to winery researching the season. Bands like Sun Kil Moon, Bon Iver, Neil Young, Cass McCombs, JJ Cale, and a few vintage country classics.
Is there a dude from history who's personal style especially influences Riviera Club? Paul Newman was Riviera Club’s first honorary club member.
In your presentation for the collection, the pants were rolled really, really high up on the calf. What's the best length for a guy to roll his pants? Maybe we were a little too proud of the Fox River socks that evening. I personally roll them just above the ankle, about an inch in thickness, the more irregular the better.
Photography Ackime Snow. Styling Alex Frank. Model Brady Donnelly. All clothes by Riviera Club.