Embracing a refreshed sense of effortless luxury, Theory’s Spring 2023 collection brings the bold optimism of the season to life through a playful remix of favorite proportions and silhouettes, pops of vibrant color, and luxe fabrics.
For Theory Project Fall 2023, Lucas Ossendrijver mines his appreciation for architecture to raise the bar on quintessential pieces and create moments of surprise and delight for the wearer. The Dutch-born, Paris-based designer uses intricate, concealed craftsmanship to create deceptively technical essentials that do more than meets the eye. “I’m more of an architect,” Ossendrijver explains. “There’s a lot of work in these pieces that doesn’t show on the outside, but it elevates them and makes them special.” These cleverly engineered styles include reversible jackets, a 3-in-1 parka-meets-bomber, and a women’s trouser that can be worn two ways courtesy of an adjustable waistband.
Occupying a middle ground between formal and informal, feminine and masculine, artful and pragmatic—the collection continues to channel New York City’s dynamic energy. Ossendrijver embraces a liminal way of dressing and eschews the rigid notions of work, leisure, and occasionwear. Coordinating men’s and women’s versions of a single style—parkas, bomber jackets, pleated slim trousers, mixed-media loafers, and weather-resistant chelsea boots—create a mirror effect throughout the line. Concurrently, traditional tailoring and crisp shirts informed by Ossendrijver’s career in menswear ground the collection.
Focused on tonal hues as opposed to a monochromatic approach, the collection’s rich color palette explores a gradient scale of olive green, aubergine, gunmetal gray, camel, and ivory. This point of view extends to footwear where the Theory Project sneaker is reissued in a new high-top version crafted with canvas. Elsewhere, a leather and neoprene women’s boot, suede pumps, and a two-tone block heel loafer are finished with rubberized soles geared towards urban exploration.
Says Ossendrijver, “Theory is about functional, adaptable design that speaks to different people and allows them to make each piece their own.” This elevated, versatile take on wardrobe essentials mixes effortlessly with Theory’s core collection. “It’s the same language in a different accent,” he expounds. Realized in a campaign shot by Tyler Mitchell, channeling the vibrancy of New York City, the fourth chapter of Theory Project includes men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, footwear, and accessories. Fall 2023 launches in stores and on website globally October 2023.
