Teddy Vonranson Brings the Desert to New York
With his latest spring/summer 2023 presentation, Teddy Vonranson has achieved yet another moment of triumph within his unique diaspora of design. Inspired by the Californian Joshua Tree desert where “there are no words and structures of the past start to lose their grip on you,” Teddy found respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, cleansing his palette to bring in newness and that ever-present spirit of youth and vitality to the menswear market. According to the tenured designer and creative director, “One can be young at any age. More so than ever, we are a young culture.” It’s all about how you feel. The designer still feels 20. Yet, his mastery of menswear in trendsetting adaptations reflects the skill of a craftsman who's been creating clothes for multiple decades. Teddy calls this latest assortment of looks his most vulnerable and considerate collection to date.
Anthony D’Alessandro in Teddy Vonranson Spring/Summer 2023 at Daylight Studios
We’ve always known him as a color aficionado and for prints and patterns. With this collection, his eye for hue is still ever-present, only this time it is translated into one of his most sophisticated tonalities. “It isn’t because I didn’t feel my past was not sophisticated; I just really wanted to do a desert collection. I was attracted to Joshua Tree through the promise of getting centered in this landscape.”
Artists across all mediums take nature as the ultimate inspiration when creating. This notion is proved yet again with Teddy and his never-ending global explorations in between seasons. “The sky above becomes crystal blue, then you get these gorgeous aquas and teals where the mountain ranges hit the sky.” As an east coaster, Teddy experienced Joshua Tree early in the morning by 4:30 am due to the time difference, hiking to watch the sunrise to see a very cool tone of the desert at that time in the morning, providing an ideal and picturesque vision for his latest masterpiece of menswear.
A Model wears Teddy Vonranson SS23
Along with fellow members of the fashion press, I saw firsthand at the presentation how the models walk in a classic runway formation on a pedestal with a snapshot of the desert blown up in the background along with dried flora bordering the center which reflects natural geography. Some of the strongest looks are a classic American fringe jacket in clay, along with another chore coat done in a rich teal. There are knitted tees, shorts, and short-sleeved shirts which are perfect for staying stylish as we melt in the summer while waiting for trains or taxi cabs!
With this collection, it is evident that chocolate brown is back! These sandal-espadrille hybrids that he continues to produce need to be in every man’s closet next spring and summer! Teddy’s way of translating his lens on the world into his clothes is evidence of a design legend in the making. His collections always garner mandatory attendance from buyers, journalists, and new and old onlookers of fashion. Many entities across the globe may have a vision for their creative projects, yet it takes a distinct level of precision and imaginative genius to pull it off in the way that Vonranson does every single time.