Photograph by wedig + laxton
Universal, comfortable, high-tech, versatile. If ever there were a time for El Lewis’s new line of knits, built around wear-anytime (or all-the-time), uniform-style dressing, it’s now. The Decatur native and UGA grad launched O. Studio last fall after years in New York working as a stylist for the likes of Alexander Wang and Barneys. O. (a symbol for coming together) first released two gender-neutral knit sweaters in four colors custom created with Pantone. Easy and minimalist, they’re meant to be incorporated into your outfit every day, for everything from a Zoom meeting to a workout. Lewis plans to expand to a 15-piece wardrobe system of staples—a concept he believes equalizes and democratizes fashion.
“The idea was to create clothing that would unify people,” says Lewis, who was recently dubbed “one to watch” by fashion bible Women’s Wear Daily.
Photograph courtesy of O Studios
Inspired by sci-fi and athleticism, Lewis, who trained as a gymnast, says the fusion of technology and clothing should let your body move and perform at its best. His sweaters were developed on a computer, woven from durable synthetic threads via a code programmed into a knitting machine. Samples are digitally rendered, and he’s experimenting with 3-D printing. “I saw how elitist and wasteful fashion could be, and it was not inspiring to me anymore,” says Lewis. “We want to always come back to the ideas of unity, innovation, and performance.” O. will launch face masks this fall and new colors for knits this spring. $100–$120
This article appears in our October 2020 issue.
