Rather than boasting of himself as a designer, Gareth Casey simply says he is an “architect” and “maker of things.” Given the structural nature of his fabrics and forms, the former is an apt descriptor. At his small Parisian atelier, Casey Casey, he builds upon the soft romance of French tailoring with modern and earthy influences. For Casey Casey’s latest collection, Gareth presents exceptional shirting, pants and coats in a palette of navy, chocolate and just a hint of lipstick red.
In designing his line, Gareth brings his wearer closer to the earth through fabrics that emulate the natural world. He does so through nubby, fleece-like cashmere, the aforementioned paper cotton, and a notable selection of cotton velvets. Unlike its silken cousins, cotton velvets are a dry-touch varietal lower on the shine factor, making them an excellent choice for a subdued, but elevated look.
If there is anything Casey Casey is best known for, it’s the shirting. Harnessing classical tailoring silhouettes, Gareth reinterprets the style through his relaxed sensibility for a be-anywhere-do-anything piece. His material of choice is paper cotton, presented in a range of polished and crisp finishes that are not only durable but sing against the skin.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that Gareth’s free time is spent close to the earth as well. Often, you can find him tending to the monastic grounds of Le Prieuré d’Orsan, a former medieval nunnery turned modern garden an hour south of Bourges. Amongst the rows of cornflowers and cascading walnut trees, Gareth reconnects with his core inspiration.
“It’s not about being flashy or surprising. It’s just about: ‘Oh my God, that feels so good.’ ”
– Gareth Casey
