Anti-Prep Fashion Is Disrupting the Americana Aesthetic
At a moment when the American dream feels more fractious than ever, Calvin Klein, Sies Marjan, Proenza Schouler, and others are taking preppy basics in twisted new directions. Photographed by Rob Kulisek. Styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.
Photographed by Rob Kulisek. Styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.
Since the Reagan era, the preppy look has defined the visual code of American affluence. Now, with another wealthy showman in office, designers are toying with that tradition. While madras prints, knits, and polos still reign supreme, the focus here is not on venerating WASP culture. Instead, it seeks to expose the fiction in the fabric of the American dream.


Barbra-Lee wears cable-knit sweater and trousers by Mansur Gavriel; Erika wears sweater and trousers by Raf Simons, earrings by Tiffany & Co. throughout unless noted

Erika wears cardigan and skirt by Pringle of Scotland; Barbra-Lee wears sweater vest, cardigan, and skirt by Pringle of Scotland, sweater by Patagonia (in hand)

Barbra-Lee wears sweater, shirt, trousers, and shoes by Sies Marjan, bracelets by Tiffany & Co. throughout; Erika wears sweater by Sies Marjan, watch by Hublot; On the staircase: stole by Marni, bag by Nancy Gonzalez.








Erika wears coat and dress by Loewe, shoes by Marni


Barbra-Lee wears jacket by Carven, skirt by Marni, shoes by Roger Vivier

Barbra-Lee wears coat, sweater, and trousers by Mansur Gavriel, shoes by Manolo Blahnik, earrings by Jennifer Fisher.
In this story: Hair: Shinya Nakagawa at ArtList New York; Makeup: Yumi Lee at Streeters using MAC Cosmetics; Models: Erika Belle, Barbra-Lee Grant at New York Model Management; Set designer: Marcs Goldberg; Photographer’s assistants: Justin Leveritt, Alexander Rotondo; Fashion assistant: Victor Qunnuell Vaughns Jr.; On-set production: Stephanie Putker
More from GARAGE No. 14:
Andy Warhol's Polaroids Are His Most Influential Work
Hedi Slimane Photographs a New Class of Los Angeles Artists
These Designers Are the Next Generation of American Luxury
In Art, Fashion, and Even Politics, We Are Living in a Warholian Moment
A version of this story appeared in GARAGE No. 14, available for purchase here.