Stacy Chang: Quality and Innovation Without Breaking the Bank

OK, it’s really cold. No matter where you are in the US, temperatures are way below normal. And all this cold weather makes you yearn for warmer climates and the opportunity to break out that spring/summer wardrobe.

No need to fret; in just a few weeks the first deliverables of spring/summer clothing will hit department stores and specialty boutiques. And right in the mix will be Stacy Chang. If you’ve never heard of her, well here is your chance. True to our DNA, Fashion Reverie keeps its viewers front and center with all the new design talent on the horizon.

In reality, Stacy Chang is a bit beyond emerging designer fare or those new talents on the periphery of fashion recognition; her fashion projection is already assured. With her spring/summer 2014 collection being picked up by Anthropologie and previous collections in specialty boutiques in Alabama and California, Chang is well on her way, creating clothes that are innovative and affordable in the challenging petri dish of fashion’s over-saturated market.

“My brand’s DNA is about providing quality, sophisticated clothes at a competitive price. So much of fashion is overpriced. Where a $500 blouse might be affordable to some shoppers, for most working women that price point is out of their budget. Quality and affordability is foundation for which the brand is based on,” explains Chang.

 Quality and affordable are adjectives that are bandied about by lots of designers, but for Stacy Chang, innovative, quality product is at the core of her brand’s philosophy, most evident in her current spring/summer 2014 collection. From her custom-made polka-dot patterned sheers and overlays to her signature all-in-one-effect,“smart layering,” Chang is setting herself apart from the pack of young designers who have to contend with the constant demand for new product.

“Consumers want to layer their clothes, but often the layering isn’t flattering to the body, particularly during springtime.  So, I devised this idea of “smarting layering.” I first came up the dress, with a tee shirt, tank and skirt connected together in a dress. Some of the garments have an asymmetrical cut. So you can separate the pieces or wear them all together. There is always a twist with my layering. By doing it this way, it can be one seamless outfit. Shoppers feel it’s fun and playful, yet very wearable, “ details Chang.

And playful, exuberant fun is the inspiration behind Chang’s spring/summer 2014 collection. “The basis for this collection was fun, playfulness and child play. There are lots of prints and florals in this collection.  It is very lighthearted, inspired by positive childhood memories.”

While pleasant childhood memories served as inspiration for this collection, in all of her outings Chang doesn’t stray too far from her California roots. “California is very laid back and I always thought there was something to be said about effortless dressing. The philosophy of my designs is that the clothes look effortless; not looking like you took a long time to put your look together.  One misperception is that looking good can be uncomfortable. My brand changes that perception.  The trick is to be comfortable, but not sloppy. However, too laid back can be a good thing, sometimes. I travel a lot and I think Americans do need to become a bit more elevated in their style. I want to blend my California roots with urban city sophistication.”

Still, Stacy Chang has unearthed that delicate balance between what has market viability while satisfying consumer’s need for good, quality, fashion-forward garments at a price they can afford. “From a merchandising point of view I have been drawn to neutrals. But I have come more in line with what consumers want. So, in my spring 2014 collection there are more pops of color; the blues and more grain yellows in the prints that correspond with many different age demographics and personalities. So I am learning how to use color to make the collection more international and versatile.”

So, what’s next for Stacy Chang? A holiday capsule collection for next holiday season that combines looks that seamlessly transition from day to night, as well as an expansion beyond sportswear. But, most importantly for Chang is a continued trajectory toward excellence, encapsulated in collections that speak to the needs of the American woman.

Stacy Chang’s spring/summer 2014 line retails between $88 and $165. For more information, go to stacychangcom.

—William S. Gooch