- rachelvallozzi
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Smart Casual Branding
Profession: Architect at his own firm
Age: 45
Year: Fall / Winter 2025
ABOUT THE CLIENT/ client back story
This client wanted to merge his personal creativity with his professional branding. He owns his own architecture firm that focuses mostly on large commercial spaces, so professionally he is often in a corporate setting, while his larger community includes designers with an artistic edge. Our intention was to thread the needle in his collection to include outfits that felt appropriate in both settings.
Style Priorities
Blue and Orange
Textures and subtle opportunities for personality accents
Mostly Preppy with a touch of Dapper
Very soft garments, including socks
No buttons on his collars
Our Focus
His branding colors are predominantly blues accented with orange and warmer tones. Blue is also his favorite color, but when he reached out, he was feeling like his wardrobe felt flat and boring. We discussed how to add texture and personality into his blues - both literally and by layering and focusing on details like pocket squares, socks, multi-colored shoes, braided belts, and watches.
Final Looks
When I was designing this collection, I researched new Italian brands selling luxuriously soft cashmere sweaters with gorgeous weaves. I found cashmere ribbed socks in saturated colors. I gave him a mix of shirts with executive-level structured collars and patterns and fun orange and blue plaids. We completed the capsule with multicolored braided belts and suede oxfords, a blue and orange watch, and dress shirts with blue buttons. This is a small selection of some of the outfits we curated from his collection.
After this client started wearing his collection, I received this text
"I wore one of your looks to a high stakes dinner party and was given the compliment “You look dapper!” Then I wore the plaid blazer to the Design Pittsburgh Architecture Awards - Every single person I interacted with complimented me on the jacket. Every. Single. Person. I have never received attention like this before!"
Ready for your own branded wardrobe?
