A Monotonous Style Composition ... Olivier Thesyken for Theory SS2011

After his sudden disappearance from the fashion world for quite some time, Belgian designer Olivier Theysken is back with a new gig: as the new creative director for American fashion label Theory.

I know a lot of people within the fashion sphere, especially influential fashion editors are gasping deeply when they heard the news since Theysken used to set the creative direction for Nina Ricci, an infamous couture cum fashion maison in Paris.

Nevertheless, couture or not, the new gig got his long-devoted fans happy as now they no longer have to fork out or being charged more than RM 20000.00 or approximately $6000.00 into their credit card bills for, say, a simple black shift dress.

What are in stores for them now are superb dresses and ensembles retailed at a fraction of what they used to pay for Theysken’s Nina Ricci masterpieces. Case-in-point: $425.00 (or approximately RM 1323.71) for a gorgeous draped-blanket coat in polished lambskin from Theory’s FW2010 collection.

"I had been looking for a more personal project," Theysken said to Nicole Phelps of Style.com at Theory’s headquarters in New York. "I've found it at Theory. It's the right position in terms of quality, price."

Playing with basic, monotonous hues of black, white and grey with occasional presence of blue, the collection is made of pieces that are basic yet necessary for every fashionista. There’s not a sign of luxury embellishment or silhouettes overpowered with cutouts on strategic places. Everything is utterly plain and ennui. And to speak from a loud and brash fashionista’s outlook, “You need a thousand and one accessories to make them look ‘alive’!”

The streamlined shapes and über approach are perfect for work and play purposes, which also at the same time, aligns with Theory’s philosophy – a fashion brand that creates the future instead of looking to it. But here’s the best part: the fabrics used in the making of Theysken’s debut collection for Theory are imported from Italy and Japan, while the designing and the manufacturing are made in, ehem, where else if it’s not the US and China.

But again, no matter where the materials come from or where they are manufactured, I bet Theysken fans are eager to dash into Theory stores early next year and stocked on his über chic collection sans the anxiousness of waiting for their credit card statements to arrive fin du jour!

Olivier Theysken for Theory SS2011 collection will be available at all Theory stores, select fine departmental stores and multi-brand boutiques in spring.

*Photos by Style.com

To locate your nearest Theory stores or authorised retailers, kindly visit http://www.theory.com/ for more information.