Carr, a new collection of menswear launching exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue this fall, is not just about style and exquisite tailoring. It’s about the story of fashion and family through designer George Carr’s eyes. The designer, who has worked in both fashion and film, based the brand’s designs sketches created by his late brother, also a designer, named Zack Carr.
SaksPOV: How did the Carr menswear collection come about?
George Carr: I took one of my brother’s sketches of a women’s suit and translated it into menswear. It was a four-pocket safari suit that was homage to Yves Saint Laurent. I thought, well, that’s really a menswear item. I brought the sketch to Rocco Ciccarelli, who is probably the number one tailor in America. He told me, “I understand your brother’s sketch. I understand the attitude and from it I can create your suit.”
SaksPOV: So this is a very personal collection?
G.C. One of the things I was very intentional about was making this brand personal. I felt it was important. First, working with my brother’s sketches and then I started seeing the importance of where I’m from, the Hill Country of Texas. It was loaded with great inspiration for our brand. We made a branding iron with our logo and it’s literally seared into the leather label on our jeans.
Clockwise from left: Belts and shoes from Carr, original Zack Carr sketch that inspired the mens collection, Carr branding iron, Zack’s Hermes sketch book and Montblanc pen, Zack and George Carr in Istanbul
SaksPOV: How would you describe the Carr man?
G.C.: Men today accept and even expect fashion. I came from a background in Texas where men were football players, hunters and fishermen. Today, fashion is as much on the male radar as sports, dating, you name it. Our guy has seen a lot. He’s expecting quality. All of our products are made in the top factories.
SaksPOV: How does your background in directing and acting influence the way you approach Carr?
G.C.: I feel like I’m writing, casting and directing a new play based on fashion. And the name of that play is Carr. We are in the “wow” business.
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