Easy Like Sunday Morning... Or Wearing Geren Ford

After last week's post that covered a designer everyone and their mother was talking about, I thought this week I would introduce you to a label a little more under the radar.

Geren Lockhart: Creative Director of Geren Ford
Image from: blogs.nordstrom.com

Meet Geren Ford: a relatively new contemporary line started in 2002 with a lone pair of pants. (Quick vocab lesson: a "contemporary" line is a line that brings luxury inspired fashion to a typically younger demographic at a much more reasonable price.) At the helm of the label is Geren Lockhart, an ex-advertising creative whose jet-setting lifestyle puts those of us who call ourselves "seasoned travelers" to shame. As work sent her globetrotting, she realized the need for a pair of comfortable, functional, yet stylish pants to trek around the world in.  Not only did the lounge pants she designed meet all of her traveling in style needs, they also brought her fame.

In 2002, along with a newly obtained degree from Parson's School of Design, Lockhart left advertising and jumped into creating the Geren Ford line full time.  The small startup shipped its first collection to Barney’s from Lockhart’s own apartment.  Now, the label has a studio in LA, strong retail presence in high end retailers such as Barney's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and even Harvey Nichol's in the UK, and is regular sighting on the streets of Hollywood. Everyone from Jennifer Lopez, to Paris Hilton, to Elizabeth Hasselbeck have been seen sporting her fashionably facile looks. Nicole Scherzinger, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and Nicole Richie have all been spotted wearing this Geren Ford ruffle neck top.

Nicole Scherzinger, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and Nicole Richie
wearing Geren Fords' Ruffle Neck Top

Lauren Conrad and Rachel McAdams have opted for dresses by the label for daytime press events.

Lauren Conrad at a Grammy Kick off Party
Rachel McAdams at a premier of Morning Glory

The line’s classic aesthetic subdues the latest trends for comfort and wear-ablity yet, manages to be effortlessly stylish. Lockhart confidently marries luxury with utility. Case in point: Rachel McAdams’ dress. It takes a skilled hand and incredible vision to make a leather dress look that easy going. Her characteristic, functional but fabulous, approach stems from her many adventures traversing the globe.  Exotic locales provide the pretext for her famed prints, and the many hours she spends hopping from place to place influence the ease of wear and the comfortable cuts of her designs.


While this may seem like the latest in a long line of
animal prints, it is actually a series of scans of
Geren Lockhart's own fingerprints (slightly modified)
Image from: GerenFord.com

Subtle details  in her designs transform average everyday tops (averaging around $250), dresses (averaging around $350) and bottoms (averaging around $200)  into little wardrobe gems. Take for instance the denim skirt. While it is a summer suitcase staple, it's often hard to tell one from the other. This skirt by Geren Ford is a far cry from the monotonous sea of denim minis donned by so many.  The fishtail hemline, three zippers, and grey wash take the classic wardrobe essential from wearisome to wearable. These delicate touches aren't just decorative embellishments; they also provide incredible functionality (of course)!

The fishtail hemline is a lifesaver for the girl on the go. When you're running from place to place, the last thing you want to be worried about is the back of your skirt riding up. This unique hemline allows you to dish out a little leg without ever having to worry about an unintentional side of cheek.

The zippers, two in the front and one in the back, allow for completely customizable mobility (and leg visibility.) Taking up the zipper just a few centimeters in the front or back instantly allows for a wider stride, it also lets you up the "saucy" quotient if you deem necessary.

As for the grey wash, it transforms the denim skirt from ultra casual to wear-anywhere sophisticated. The high waisted silhouette and lengthier cut help in that department as well.

The powder grey, draped arm top also from the line is one of my wardrobe's easiest go-to pieces. I pull it out whenever I'm looking for something with a little high-fashion pizzazz but the comfort of a tee. The fluidity of the silk and the delicate draping keep the steely hue and architectural cut from becoming too bleak. The subtle textural print provides a touch more visual interest without overpowering the top letting it's structural qualities take center stage.

The "chance of rain" palette of my outfit (and the weather outside) begged for a pop of color. Enter another of my favorite trends: pairing neutral with neon. The day-glo shoes and belt give a colorful lining to today's cloudy ensemble. A little bit of electric coral, combined with the comfort, versatility, and effortlessly chic pieces by Geren Ford, makes getting dressed for those overcast days easy… like Sunday morning.