Number:Lab Designer Luis Fernandez On The CFDA Fashion Incubator

by Justin Fenner | 7:39 pm, September 10th, 2011

A few weeks ago, we were delighted to learn that Number:Lab, a sportswear-focused men’s brand designed by a former architect named Luis Fernandez, had been picked as a member the CFDA’s Fashion Incubator Program. And if its current members (Prabal Gurung, Waris Ahluwalia and Bibhu Mohapatra, among others) are any indication, this is one brand that’s destined for good things.

Fernandez talked to us backstage at his men’s show earlier this week, when he presented a collection of clothes inspired by skateboard culture — and by a really old cubist painting.

“We looked at one one of Picasso‘s paintings, Bathers With Beachball from 1928, and then combined with this kind of urban skateboard park at Pier 62, and kind of their urban coolness and their street style,” he said. “And there’s a lot of similarities between the two, even though one tends to be more luxe, relaxed French Riviera and the other is very now, very modern, slightly futuristic.”

Number:Lab collections seem to be built for very chic jocks — and we mean in the best possible way. For fall, Fernandez translated the look of an alpine skiing resort to city streets, and spring is a little bit more about relaxation than extreme sports like snowboarding. There’s more to menswear than blazers and dark denim, after all, and the designer says he hopes the CFDA is “breaking for menswear.” Four other up-and-coming designers who cater to guys join Number:Lab in a class of ten.

And while the incubator helps make sure young businesses grow and thrive, Fernandez already has his sights on what needs improving in his company.

“I definitely think that it’s about taking it to that next level. There’s a lot of the backend and operational things that we would like to fix and perfect, and I think that that’s where they’re really going to crank it up for us. And I think if you look at the group, there’s a good mixture of business, talent, and I think everybody’s at a slightly different stage, and I think that’s a part of the beauty of putting this group together.”

You can read up on his other classmates here. For now, check out what Fernandez is bringing his customers for next spring.

CFDA CFDA Fashion Incubator Luis Fernandez New York Fashion Week Number:Lab NYFW SS2012

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