If you ever wondered what the Fear of God woman would look like, founder Jerry Lorenzo says his wife, Desiree Manuel, is the ultimate muse. "We spend the most time together," he tells BAZAAR.com on the inspiration behind the brand's newest offering, a slate of dedicated womenswear. "Understanding her needs and seeing what's missing in her world, I was able to see things that I felt like I wanted to design into."
In a continuation of the language Lorenzo started through Fear of God's Essentials line, the label's universe is expanding to include women-specific pieces for the new season. The first collection telegraphs comfort, from drapey button-downs to coordinating knit sets.
Lorenzo first introduced shoppers to his concept of effortless American luxury back in 2013 with an assortment of elevated basics that he admits was selfishly focused on the needs of his own closet—hence the menswear origin. "As we got better at designing and communicating our language, it was only natural that we extend that through different platforms, whether it's kids, home, furniture, or womenswear," the creative director explains. "We feel our proposition is timelessly sophisticated in a relaxed and approachable way. Our point of view is something that can really live through anything."
With his vision for the brand becoming clearer, Lorenzo is taking a similar design approach for the women's offering. Personal experiences are his main touchpoint of inspiration, regardless of the category. "In the same way that I'm scanning and observing how guys dress, I'm looking at women and saying, 'Hey, maybe the short could be shorter; maybe this skirt could be longer; maybe this cardigan could have a little bit more volume.' Before you know it, you look up and you've got an opinion on about 15 to 20 pieces," he says.
As for the clothes themselves, they are distinctly Fear of God with a feminine edge. Standout pieces from the collection include a selection of rugby-themed knits and polo sweaters emblazoned with a new 1977 insignia. Classic cable-knit turtlenecks that can be dressed up or down are also present. For those ready to get their hands on the new offering, it will be available to shop online at fearofgod.com tomorrow.
Shelby Ying Hyde is a Brooklyn-based shopping and fashion contributor BAZAAR.com, with bylines on The Zoe Report, Teen Vogue, Essence, Nylon, Elite Daily and more. Prior to entering the editorial space, she worked at luxury e-commerce giants Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi on the product editorial team, where she gained an extensive understanding of the luxury market as it pertains to shopping and engaging customers in a digital space. Follow @theshelbyying on Instagram for shopping advice, sale updates, and tips for building a well-rounded wardrobe.
