California Apparel News

Men’s fashion line Arcady was introduced with a big splash recently—the label founders produced a party attended by actors, models and musicians at the Los Angeles landmark Chateau Marmont—but the show of glamour was not necessarily the aim of the new line. Founders Billy and Christopher Hines hope that the line will mix in seamlessly with whatever someone is wearing.

“We wanted to make clothes that would let a person’s individual style define what they are wearing,” said Christopher Hines, who founded the line with his brother Billy. “Hence the classic design and minimalist approach to our aesthetic.”

The line’s “Standard Pant” is an example of that credo. “After 15 minutes of wearing, it adjusts to you,” Christopher Hines said. “There’s a small amount of polyurethane in it. It stretches to your leg size.” Other looks include a cashmere hooded sweater. “It’s a great layering piece; there’s an accessibility to that,” Billy Hines said.

But the Hines brothers did not want to simply produce the Zelig of men’s fashion. All of the pieces were designed to emphasize craftsmanship, and some of the pieces were designed to make a statement. There are mandarin-collar shirts and the “Sparta Overcoat,” which is a mix between a peacoat and a trench.

The Hines brothers worked with designer Jonathan deLagarde on Arcady’s styles. In the past decade, deLagarde has designed for Gap Inc., Nike and Wilson Tennis Apparel. Also on the Arcady team are Jack Hurley, who works as the chief operating officer, and Adam Bolden, who has worked for fashion labels such as One World Apparel and is a cofounder of Blend Management LLC, a fashion management group.

Currently, Arcady is sold only online at www.arcady.com. Retail price points range from $65 for a Standard Crew T-shirt to $2,400 for the Sparta overcoat.