The Elder Statesman founder Greg Chait and its creative director Bailey Hunter like to come up with elaborate concepts for their collections—and their lookbooks—that match the level of creative exploration and expression that they’ve come to be known for. This season, it was the classic All-American catalogs that rose to prominence in the 1980s and ’90s.
“We really think that catalogs were in a way the original influencer—before social media–and they showed this aspirational lifestyle,” Hunter said on a Zoom from Los Angeles. “They also really put an emphasis on the product itself; so we went full into that kind of world.”
The pared-back, lifestyle catalog vibe may have been intended a bit tongue-in-cheek but the results highlighted where the genius of The Elder Statesman lies—in its simple silhouettes, luxurious and innovative fibers and materials, and of course, its sense of humor.
The brand is preparing to open a flagship in New York later this year, so the collection had a sense of cleansing the palette and building a strong foundation. “Page after page” in the catalog showed off kooky 100% cashmere argyle separates, wool-silk fluffy chenille sets, and a new-ish “deli-cash” fabric which is half silk and half cashmere and softer than soft. All of it was deftly modeled by three generations of women seemingly caught in the middle of power walking, carrying matching weights in their hands.
The brand’s recent forays into wovens were also excellently represented, among them 100% cashmere tartan plaids shirts, trousers, and shawl coats in a holiday-ready shade of red or blue; or an olive and white cashmere gingham “workwear” zip-up jacket and matching drawstring pants.
As befits a good holiday catalog; there were also more unconventional, but equally desirable items on offer including an alpaca-wool blend oversized hooded cap; a hand-patchworked “Twister”-esque game quilt; and slippers, shams, a sleeping bag, a teddy bear, and even a hobby horse.
On the catalog’s “cover” the headline announced The Elder Statesman’s core theme— , and that’s exactly right.