Richard Chai: Design In Mind

Many designers have a signature style. When you see a preppy look coming down the runway, it’s probably Tommy Hilfiger. If an elegant gown appears, it’s most likely Coco Chanel. Richard Chai’s signature style is versatility. You see billowy, flowing material, then expertly tailored blazers and blouses next. He uses bright colors and muted tones to bring a little bit of everything to the table.

All of his ability is built on his experience. He began taking night classes at Parsons School for Design at the young age of 13. While studying at Parsons, he interned at Geoffrey Beene. After nine years of studying, Chai graduated from Parsons and began studying at LISSA in Paris. Initially, Chai was not a fashion student. He originally studied graphic design at Parsons and quickly changed his mind after one of his classes was moved to a different room.“The doors [to the elevator] opened on the wrong floor and there was a model posing with really loud house music blasting and everyone [was] drawing frantically. The energy in that room was intoxicating. The entire time I was sitting in my graphic design class I was wondering what I’d just witnessed. I soon found out that class was Fashion Illustration and switched into it the following week. At that moment I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer,” the designer said in a Style.com interview. Chai really made a name for himself. After graduating from Parsons. He began working with a number of different designers and their labels. He worked as an assistant designer for Armani Exchange and Donna Karan‘s D and DKNY lines . He even played a part in launching Marc by Marc Jacob‘s collection for men.

All of these experiences helped Chai create his own line and brand. While working under other fashion designers, he had the opportunity to learn about the creative and business sides of fashion.“I always had the dream of having my own line, but I think it was important for me to gain that knowledge, to learn those things it takes to become a designer,” Chai said in a Vogue interview. In 2004, Chai showed his collection at the New York Fashion Week. This was his debut as a designer and it was well received. He was named People Magazine‘s sexiest designer in their “Sexiest Men Alive” issue for November 2004.The designer believes his clothing calls to people who like well-made clothes without losing their individuality.“I think the men or women who wear my clothes have an appreciation for how clothes are made. They are not about trend-driven clothes. It’s about the purity of design and how that reflects in their personal, individual style,” Chai said in an interview with New York Magazine.From studying, to being featured in Vogue, to growing his business from the ground up, Chai has loved every minute of his career.“Honestly, this entire process from start to finish has been incredibly rewarding…. It’s all been a blessing,” he said. Chai has built his empire on his own hard work. He financed his company on his own from the very start. After he landed a job consulting for Onward Kashiyama, a Japanese clothing manufacturer, he was able to fund his business. Even in a declining economy, Chai was able to keep his brand alive. The designer is still up & coming, but shows so much promise he’s already guaranteed in his lines.

-Geneva Toddy