Laurence Chico Reinvent Haute Athleisure At SS19 NYFW

The haute-athletic looks seen at Laurence & Chico’s spring/summer 2019 runway show in New York City signal an evolution of the brand and its take on athleisure.

Canadian luxury womenswear label Laurence & Chico unveiled a collection of athletic-inspired couture during their spring/summer 2019 runway show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). In a press statement for the show, the design duo behind the behind admitted they “do not like to exercise but love to buy athletic wear.”

Jay Alexander opens the show in a black mesh blazer, long purple tulle skirt and green and orange “Sport” cage

Laurence Li and Chico Wang, who met at Parsons, an elite art and design school in New York City, before establishing their brand in Vancouver, returned to Manhattan on September 6 2018 to show at Chelsea Piers Fitness Studio. The venue, a favorite runway spot since the the Bryant Park tents came down, was ideal for Laurence & Chico’s SS19 collection, which envisioned sport as a “competition for prettiness.”

Numbered long sleeve dress with pink accents and lime green shoulder

The collection incorporated athleisure items such as windbreakers, track shorts and visors, while staying true to the whimsical maximalism that defines the brand.

Many of the design ideas for the Laurence & Chico SS19 collection were reminiscent of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week fall/winter 2018. In particular, outrageous tulle ruffles as seen on the Giambattista Valli runway come to mind.

Orange and fuzzy lime green sleeveless mini dress

Laurence & Chico’s SS19 collection also referenced the exaggerated layering seen on the Martin Margiela runway this summer, which signaled that the couture world was once again embracing an over-the-top aesthetic.

Bright and bold orange, neon green and vibrant purples dominated the color palette of the Laurence & Chico collection, which was intended to make a statement.

Pink and black windbreaker dress and coordinating joggers

With showrooms throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Laurence & Chico are creating a couture wardrobe for a global audience that demands the spotlight. The current collection affirms this design initiative, while also having fun with the idea of athletic apparel.

About the author

Jill Di Donato

Fashion Editor

Jill is a New York native who holds a BA in Literature from Barnard College, and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. She is the author of the novel Beautiful Garbage (She Writes Press, 2013) about the downtown Manhattan art and fashion scene in the 1980s. A former staff writer for The Huffington Post and Bustle, Jill comes to Culture Trip after working with Refinery 29, Vice, Salon, Paste Style, Los Angeles Times, Nylon, Shopify, Autre, and producing content for emerging fashion labels. She teaches classes about fashion and culture at Barnard College and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her prized possessions are her Gucci fanny pack, vintage rocker t-shirts, and her grandmother's collection of costume jewelry. She's always on the lookout for a gem-encrusted turban.