Nicholas K Looks to a Grim Future

nicholas k spring 2013 fashion show

Photo: Alessandro Lucioni

The Nicholas K girl is going somewhere come next spring. Stylized anoraks, lots of layering, and a color scheme heavy on camo-friendly sand shades sent a clear message that she was ready to rove. chatted with designer Nicholas Kunz about the inspiration behind the collection.

ELLE: It looked like your collection was made for a world traveler. Where did that vision come from?

Nicholas Kunz: It was the '70s film Soylent Green, which predicted what was going to happen in NYC in 2022. It had this futuristic, nomad feeling that was interesting for us since we're really organic in our lifestyle. It talks about how there are all these technological advances, but people are reverting back to pureness and a minimalistic life.

ELLE: The movie is pretty grim and forecasts a lot of pollution, poverty, and problems from the greenhouse effect. Are you worried about the future of Manhattan?

NK: I'm not pessimistic [about it], I just feel like people will appreciate nature more, and they'll want a little more simplicity and to streamline their lifestyles. For us, it's about a versatile wardrobe. When you go on a trip, can you bring one small suitcase and not have to worry about things? I don't want to bring complicated things everywhere. I don't want big luggage. I don't want to worry about things wrinkling.

ELLE: Any opinion about the Mayan prediction of the world ending this year?

NK:  I'm really into that kind of stuff, but no. I do feel like if we don't start taking care of our planet, though, it's going to turn into a domino effect. Everything is so interconnected. If we don't take care of it, it's not going to take care of us.

ELLE: How does it feel to kick off fashion week?

NK: We love it. It's our time slot now and [feels like] the calm before the storm. It's nice to get it out of the way.

ELLE: What's the rest of your week like?

NK: I'm going to spend time with friends and family. I don't really do a lot of the shows or parties, [but] we'll probably have drinks with our staff to thank them for their hard work. It's pretty low-key. I might go upstate, watch the birds a little bit.

Photo: Alessandro Lucioni

See the Spring 2013 Nicholas K collection.

See all the Spring 2013 collections.