Summer, for most of us, brings a sense of lassitude that the other seasons lack. The comforting glow of the sun as it breaks over the horizon. The heavy heat of longer days with pastel dusks promising camera defying sunsets. It’s an atmosphere that aligns perfectly with Studio Nicholson’s SS22 collection. A dreamy deconstruction of soft, sporty classics brings us a welcome injection of 1970s American seaside drama.
Women's Summer '22 Collection - Hue & Sky
"As ever, this is all about clever layering and practical simplicity – but this time there’s a spectrum of sun-dazed bliss soaked into every single fibre."
The work of photographer Joel Meyerowitz was at the core of founder Nick Wakeman’s SS22 moodboard. A long-time fan of his, it was his Provincetown portraits in particular that kickstarted the experimental colour palette for the summer season. Loyal fans of the brand will know that Wakeman chooses her hues very carefully – making sure the modularity aspect remains. But here, she introduces a sense of vitality and urgency with energetic lilacs, tropical brown and oxblood.
Scanning through the images captured by Meyerowitz on and around the beaches of Cape Cod, there’s a hedonistic freedom that feels so lacking in the humdrum of city living. The ease of laid-back freckled shoulders, the awkward (but confident) tilt of suntanned bodies in glorious swimsuits, lazy bubble-gum mouths, accessorised with a lit cigrarette. This is relaxation factor 3000.
Studio Nicholson have captured these iconic, vintage tones with a determination to administer a long overdue shot of playful holiday energy. Fabrics are exceptionally light, with cottons expressing a new wearability. Powder cottons, Organic cottons and Stonewashed versions guarantee crisp breathability. Continuity favourites are given a warm weather reboot – the Asher Pant in stone and optic white, the forever popular Dordoni in Powder Cotton and the Meavy in navy or calico Powder Cotton. Culottes with a utilitarian edge make an appearance as key players for the season, with Benko Pants and round-neck Haydee jumpsuit.
Purposeful playfulness reigns supreme, with shirts and shorts combos, casualised with fluid cotton knits that come alive in wear. Dresses billow in volume, making one-piece modularity an easy fix for occasions that require something with a touch more polish. As ever, this is all about clever layering and practical simplicity – but this time there’s a spectrum of sun-dazed bliss soaked into every single fibre.
LEANNE CLOUDSDALE IS THE STUDIO NICHOLSON EDITOR-AT-LARGE
