Coming Full Circle at Casertano

It was only fitting that Alex Casertano chose to debut his eponymous collection last night at Chelsea’s Luhring Augustine Gallery, since he worked there throughout high school and college. As a gallery guy, Casertano was inspired by the fashion and art crowds that surrounded him at work. And work is where girls will be wearing his sportswear, though the designer worked to create transition pieces that go from day to night. Accents like fur trim, silk waistbands, and pops of red in an otherwise muted palate should help them do just that. If the silhouettes themselves are straightforward—”not delicate, not tough, but somewhere in between,” the designer says—the color-blocking and cutouts keep things interesting (if sometimes a little too tricky). Standouts such as a color-block bustier dress and a slate gray wool poncho showcase Casertano’s knack for creating feminine pieces with a slight edge. After a few seasons designing menswear at J.Crew and Yigal Azrouël, it looks like Casertano is enjoying the addition of a few girly touches. There may be plenty of office gals this fall who’ll enjoy them, too.