Designer's Perspective: FW17
Finalizing the designs of the FW17 collection earlier this year, my vision for fall kept coming back to you, the CH Woman—who she is, what inspires her, and where she travels—perhaps more than ever. As uniqueness, individualism, and independence become increasingly valued in the everyday, from the words we choose to the sourcing of what we wear, I have come to revel in the diverse personalities of the confident women who represent CH style out in the world, bound by a shared way of doing life that is simultaneously well-curated, joyful, and laid-back.
Bold. Elegant. Cool.
To me, the CH Woman is equal parts boldness and elegance going into a new season of life. She takes quality of craftsmanship seriously, but not herself. She’s like me…and you. She has an endless to-do list, but knows when—and how—to relax. Her handbag holds the world; it’s lovingly worn-in and, therefore, quintessentially cool.
Form. Function. Everyday.
Laden with personal significance, this collection is close to my heart yet (I hope!) also fulfills the everyday functions my (our) busy schedules require.
Simone’s smooth ring handle, for example, is reminiscent of the gold cuff from our Adwell jewelry line, which is named after my mother-in-law. I’ve always admired her effortless sophistication and kind nature, so this piece is particularly meaningful. I mused on the “jewelry look” of a handbag for over a year, eventually designing an ironic pairing that I love: a hard metal whose round shape actually softens its supple leather yet structured square counterpart. I see it as perfect for dinner with the hubs or, with the cross body strap attached, for brunch with the girls.
The Frances is a larger iteration of our mainstay Claire design, which is based off of a beloved bag I carried when dating my husband Craige over 15 years ago. When developing the Claire, I spent time tweaking its sample during flights to and from LA studio visits. Channeling the same endearing offbeat of the Claire, I wanted the Frances to redefine the basic shoulder bag with its oversized shape, unique rope handle, whimsical gait, and gathered circular base. Spacious enough to carry for work, or full of kiddo supplies, or a weekend away. That’s the beauty—you pick.
No shoe reminds me so fondly of girlhood quite like the Henrietta heel. Their modern spin on the classic Mary Jane is directly inspired by the tap and ballet shoes I wore as a kid. I think they look cool with with everything from jeans to cocktail attire. And I’m crushing hard on the feminine color way—sweet, sentimental details that go a long way in our era of vintage throwbacks. I see Henrietta with denim and a casual blazer when it gets chilly outside.
I’m so excited about our FW17 apparel. Each piece is versatile and transitions well from warm to cool weather. The Marsden wide-leg is my take on the decades-old, badly fitting department store trouser. The lower waist- and hip-lines reveal the same elongating look as the high-waist pant but are more forgiving of our diverse body types. I’ve also pulled in exclusives from some of my favorite brands Father’s Daughter (Joan denim in Labor wash) and Megan Huntz (Poplin and Nina tops) to round out the collection.
With a nod to tradition in classic construction and smart design, I intended our FW17 darlings to reflect the adventurous spirit of the modern environment with a diverse color palette and unexpected detail. CH core pieces, such as the Kennon, Phoebe, and Alys Tall, return in warm, muted fall tones mingled with rebellious splashes of Spanish Pink and metal hardware. Like the CH Woman, the pieces in this line improve with age as they acquire a natural, even more beautiful patina with frequent use.
Urban. Edgy. Collaborative.
Downtown Nashville, a character all its own, played the perfect backdrop to our FW17 story. The urban hardscape, including cobblestone alleyways and chainlink fences, provided an edgy and visually interesting surface for our narrative. My long-time friend and collaborator, photographer Brett Warren, managed yet again to capture the mood, color, and texture of our fall line. His shots in and outside Little Octopus are especially dear to me. I fell in love with the design of the restaurant first, then the food, but when I realized the designer was from LA and the chef from Nashville, I knew there couldn’t be a more appropriate spot for our FW17 campaign showcasing the “new Nashville.”
xoxo, Ceri
Model | Omot Abella
Photographer | Brett Warren
Stylist | Megan Evans
