Quote:
Originally Posted by
APK 
Geller seems like one of the more accessible non-heritage brands discussed around these parts. He's definitely one of the more polarizing designers around here. You've got folks who seem to scoop up several items from each collection, while others seem to note their distaste for Geller on a routine basis. There was a good
Geller discussion from both sides of the fence in the RFT thread last spring that brought forth some concrete pros and cons about the label.
I fall somewhere in the middle. I'm not sure I've seen a RG collection that hasn't included at least a couple of items I'd like to have in my closet. The laced-cuff overcoat from F/W '10 was the sort of understated, yet attention-grabbing product Geller is capable of when he gets it right. On the other hand, most collections are also good for some real swings and misses. Stuff such as the
student cardigan are examples of what happens when Geller gets too cute with his designs.
I do love the fabrics the man uses for his mainline stuff and don't mind
gushing about that. That's really all I'm usually looking for with this whole crazy jawnz thing. I'll admire the really balls-of-steel-level boldness from the sidelines, but when it comes to my own wardrobe, I prefer sharp design with good fabrics. Geller usually meets that criteria.
I went back and looked at that discussion. Someone in there made the very good point that it's the buyers who are responsible for a store only carrying dip-dyed sweatshirts and that sort of stuff. I'm pretty certain I remember Geller saying in an interview that he found buyers' preferences a little frustrating. He said something like he has a showroom full of these great romantic pieces and they go straight to the jeans and tees because they know those items will sell. (Tried to find the interview just now but I couldn't locate it; if anyone happens to know where it is that would be awesome). There were also complaints that some Geller stuff is just too over-the-top to wear. But that isn't a criticism of the design really, it's more about what the individual is comfortable wearing.
Personally, one of the things I like about Geller is that within the same collection there are awesome standout pieces and then more run-of-the-mill stuff that anyone would be comfortable wearing, but that still has something unique about it. Geller's buttondowns, for example, are mostly just regular shirts with a good cut, made of nice fabrics and with cool details like covered buttons. Or the fencing shirt, which is unusual but not particularly attention-calling. One of my favorite Geller shirts is just a
light denim with a contrast collar in dark denim. I could wear that every day and make it look different every time depending on how I wear it. But it's still just a simple shirt. A lot of the runway looks come together in the styling, but they can totally be deconstructed and the individual pieces used in more conservative, everyday looks. This look below is probably more dandyish than most guys would want to wear, but if you ditch the cumberbund and the scarf, you still have an awesome (easily wearable) jacket over a cool shirt and jeans.
