In a year upended by a global pandemic, our research and design process changed as a response to the shift in our day-to-day lives. Our starting point for the Fall 2021 collection was product and textile innovation, versatility, and redefining workwear for this new world. The silhouette and fabric direction was informed by a renewed sense of ease, comfort, and casual elegance.
Dominated by red tones, the color palette is inspired by fall foliage, dried flowers, and works by artist Donald Judd. Dusty pink and petrol blue take the lead, while dry red and warm orange usher in September, and shades of purple paired with hawthorne mustard close out the season.
A series of new fabric franchises have emerged. Bond Wool—a technical Japanese wool blend with functional properties and a classic hand—comes in several weights for a variety of uses from pants and a new relaxed-fit blazer to outerwear both long and short. A new, water-resistant sweater yarn, Armor Merino, brings a fresh perspective to fall knitwear as a transitional layer that’s perfect under a down vest or technical outerwear.
Traceable Knit—a sustainable tech-wool ponte comprised of traceable wool and nylon spun from recycled sea waste—is used in our softest, most comfortable blazer yet. A prime example of our new approach to workwear, it fuses elegant tailoring with the effortlessness of a cardigan. The versatile shirt jacket continues to dominate the wovens section in several new iterations that can be worn as a layering piece, transitional jacket, or as an alternative to a blazer.
We are also excited to present an athleisure capsule which launches at the beginning of the season and will be refreshed throughout. A more casual, sporty direction for Theory, this range of styles toggles between the home office and off-duty adventures. Informed by the idea of reduction central to artist Jenny Holzer’s 2012 Top Secret series, the mixed-media combo.
