W.R.K. Spring 2015

W.R.K. looks to occupations that produce strong personalities for inspiration. For spring 2015, the brand focused on Formula I racecar driving with British champion James Hunt as their point man. The British race colors of vibrant green and blue dominant in this collection, as well as fire-retardant fabrics, and racer-inspired silhouettes.

Creative director Matteo Gottardi uses lots of layering in this collection, rendering some of the looks in this outing more attuned to pre-spring or climates that don’t warm up until mid-May. Still, overall this spring collection can be embraced by range of male consumers who are looking for stylish, comfortable clothes with a patina or fashion-forward sensibility.

The name of the game for Gottardi in this collection was the embellishments and details. Gottardi employed reinforced seams and articulated sleeves that can be found in racecar drivers uniforms, but also serve swell for the consumer looking detailed craftsmanship.

The stretchable fabrics in this collection facilitate mobility and ease of movement; while racing flags, garage oil stains, tiremarks and all things racecar inspired the prints. And though there are a lot of neutrals in this collection, the pops of color expressed in vibrant hues of blue and green elevated this collection from what could have been a somber distillation on color.

Though there were no breakout silhouettes and fabric combinations in this spring collection, Gottardi has created some garments that will appeal to a wide range of male consumers. Innovative textile combinations and silhouettes aside, clothes still have to have retail value, and with this collection Gottardi has positioned W.R.K. for spring 2015 market appeal.

—William S. Gooch