Effortless, Enduring Style From Adam Lippes
The New York-based designer, who looks to decorative arts and interiors for inspiration, has become the go-to for a modern aesthetic that mixes preppy sportswear with after-dark polish
Contemplate the notion of contemporary American style today and Adam Lippes will immediately spring to mind. The Manhattan-based, New York-born designer has built a solid reputation for perfecting and polishing key pieces in the modern work-to-weekend closet – think refined separates and smart suiting imbued with the ease of American sportswear. Whether it’s a tailored vest that’s perfect for layering over a crisp shirt, or a feminine dress that riffs on ’50s Upper East Side glamour, the designer has become a go-to for effortless, understated elegance.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that Adam Lippes is a bona fide stalwart of the American fashion industry. Having cut his teeth at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he immersed himself in the sartorial staples of modern prep, he honed his eye for refined eveningwear at Oscar de la Renta before establishing his namesake brand in 2014. Now, with the label’s 10-year anniversary looming, his vision is a unique distillation of what has come to be known as quintessential American style, and each Adam Lippes collection meshes smart, off-duty essentials with statement-making dresses.
“The label is also renowned for its tailoring, blending smart, city-appropriate separates with a softer silhouette to create pieces that work well beyond the Wall Street boardroom
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That notion rings especially true for spring/summer 2024. The designer, inspired by the Gustav III’s Pavilion at Haga Park in Sweden, offers a collection that plays into his affinity with architecture and arts (his mother was an interior designer; his father a collector, so Lippes grew up with an appreciation of decorative arts and interiors from a young age). Palettes and prints are, therefore, natural signatures, and, for spring, this manifests in washed yellows reminiscent of sun-drenched facades, shocking pinks, crisp alabasters and deep amethysts — striking hues that make a statement in their own right, whether to brighten up gray days in the city or worn beachside on a warm-weather vacation.
No summer wardrobe is complete without an array of dresses, and Adam Lippes offers midi versions that are feminine and flattering. A striped cotton style is ideal with flat sandals and a raffia basket bag for days in the city, while printed crepe de chine styles in a floaty silhouette can be layered with a sharp, tailored jacket on cooler days, then paired with boots come fall.
Heading to a warm-weather wedding? An inky-hued ’50s-style midi, decorated with painterly roses inspired by royal-residence draperies or a manicured garden at dusk, is just the ticket; with a fitted bodice, fine spaghetti straps and a full skirt, it’s perfect for both afternoon cocktails al fresco and twirling on the dance floor come evening. Let the dress do the talking and pair with minimal accessories, a slick ballerina bun and neutral makeup. A pair of strappy white or nude heels and a simple clutch are all you need to ensure this dress is reached for season after season.
“This collection pays homage to the hand of the artisan, respecting and reflecting the very best time-honored manufacturing techniques, ensuring each piece in the Adam Lippes SS24 capsule will be treasured additions for decades to come
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Of course, the label is also renowned for its tailoring, blending smart, city-appropriate separates with a softer silhouette to create pieces that work well beyond the Wall Street boardroom. For spring, this manifests in fluid, wide-legged pants that sit high on the waist and offer a cool take on the quintessential sailor’s pant. For day, pair with crisp cotton shirting or tuck into an understated white T-shirt before adding a belt. Come night, opt for a slinkier silhouette – barely-there tanks and halter-neck styles will balance out the voluminous proportions, while the matching button-up tuxedo vest, a sharp and insouciant alternative to a suit, is ideal for formal occasions.
For a designer with such a keen interest in decorative arts and interiors, fabrics are naturally a brand signature, too. The floral midi dress is painstakingly hand-stitched by four artisans (each takes almost a week to create); jacquards are tenderly crafted on ancient looms; the silks and wools used are among the finest in the world, and delicately hand-embroidered or hand-painted; while floral buttons are hand-cast by a century-old family jeweler. This collection pays homage to the hand of the artisan, respecting and reflecting the very best time-honored manufacturing techniques, ensuring each piece in the Adam Lippes SS24 capsule will be treasured additions for decades to come.
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