Three designers who define regional style

Many noteworthy new brands are emerging from big cities. They’re either Brooklyn-based startups or LA darlings, both on their way to becoming mainstream. Elsewhere in the United States, however, many brands are responsible for some of the country’s most exciting events. new menswearAnd they’re doing it with less capital and a smaller target audience.

Take for example New England, a region famous for its blue blazer and all-American aesthetics. But here an exciting new crop of talent is rejecting the status quo and designing for a different kind of person.

Manresa

Norwalk, Connecticut

“Being a one-man brand is just an extension of my personality and the culture I grew up in,” says designer Mike McLachlan. Manresa.

McLachlan works in Norwalk, Connecticut, a city on the Lower Coast of New England.There are many people wearing Nantucket Reds It’s a step-and-repeat relationship, but he relies on his working-class upbringing and Scottish heritage for inspiration. I mean, he makes tartan flannels, waterproof anoraks, deck his shorts, tough hoodies and bulky beanies, not preppy polo or boat his shoes.

“Other than a handful of wealthy towns made up mostly of Wall Street New Yorkers with lots of money and little style, New England used to be GORP. Gorp was Gorpsays McLachlan, referring to the technical hiking style that has become popular in recent years.

McLachlan wants Manretha to represent “born in New England in the ’90s and raised as a normal working-class kid.” It reflects what he wore to help his father around the house. These things “still haunt me,” he says.

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slow process

Burlington, Vermont

From Burlington, Vermont slow processis a small clothing brand that specializes in classic menswear in rare fabrics.any outfit Cut and sewn by Sam ZollmanEstablished the label in 2018.

At first, Zolman was frugal with jackets and shirts that he could repair, customize and sell. He then expanded to: Denim Jacket, overshirt and soft sweatshirt Vintage fabrics, such as certain types of woolen blankets from the 19th century, are applied to famous patterns such as national team jackets.

In the summer, old tablecloths turn into baseball jerseys. And when temperatures drop, French terry transforms into a stylish mock neck.

“I have great respect for the textiles I come across, especially vintage and antique textiles,” says Zollman. .”

Once Zollman settles on a particular fabric, it can take days, sometimes weeks, to finish a single garment.

“It would be disrespectful to rush through the process of making a piece and not honor our legacy of making something that lasts,” he says. That’s my reputation.”

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tony shirtmakers

Damariscotta, Maine

Tony Parrotti, half tony shirtmakers, which operates a studio in Damariscotta, Maine. The city’s extremes of hot summers and cold winters are reflected in his handmade shirts and jackets.

A graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York City, Parrotti taught himself how to sew shirts by duplicating shirts he already owned. Now he offers a mix of gorgeous off-the-shelf and bespoke designs, each at a price to match.

“We make clothes that are meant to be worn and loved. It’s like hanging by a door and reaching for it over and over again,” Parrotti says. So you don’t want to be afraid of getting muddy, wet or sweaty. [These are] All things that happen when you live an active lifestyle in rural New England. ”

On social media, Parrotti and his partner Laura Fraser paint a pretty picture. A quiet, clutter-free studio with open doors and lots of indirect sunlight. But they are not alone.

“Maine has a great network of manufacturers and craftsmen, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” says Parrotti. “Whether out of necessity or out of curiosity, there is this legacy of making things by hand that really resonates with us.”

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