Steven Alan is in a voyaging mood. "Mediterranean", he said, remembering a trip to Spain taken with his brother. "Sort of getting out of New York, but having the New York sensibilities in a different place". Departing is apropos for a collection he calls a major departure for his ever-enlarging brand (not to mention that this is the label's first formal presentation, after seasons of viewings by showroom appointment only). "The stores that we sell to have been requesting more of a story", he went on. "This feels a lot more like a collection". Steven Alan made his name, and still makes a lot of his bottom line, on one piece of the wardrobe : the men's shirt -that's the opposite of a collection. But he's shrewdly growing into much more than a supplier of standards. For this season, the offerings felt breezily casual, more muted and more refined than in the past. Simplicity was a strength. Having mastered the shirt, he's moving on to perfecting the pant -and the gusseted, cinched-waist mountain pant he's offering as an alternative to denim is a solid contender. Mr Alan focused on easy grab-and-go looks to take to lakeside or seaside locals, like stretchable sweaters that'll be perfect for rolling up into beach bags or deck jackets and trench coats will be the necessary pieces for impromptu trips whatever the weather. Besides, a matching patterned polka dot bowtie subtly dresses up a basic single needle shirt and an inset belt attached to the gusset pant creates a versatile bottom that can take a man from the beach straight to an evening dinner. The feeling you took away from the whole was salt-aired and sun-bleached -and that's a sensation that sounds pretty salable, even if you're not going any farther than the next subway stop.
