When former fashion writer Aimee Cho started Gryphon five years ago, it was all about the trenchcoat. Now her focus has evolved to include what lies beneath the label s eclectic, feminine outerwear. For Spring, Cho found inspiration in her own post-baby tendency to favor easy dressing; "tomboy style," she calls it, "but still chic and polished." Slouchy pants, a first for the designer, in denim-colored camo, embossed snakeskin, and tie-dyed plaid were paired with Gryphon s signature embellished T-shirts, vintage sweatshirts with lace overlays, and oversized vests. Cho added a hint of "sexy" to the range of boyish silhouettes with a purple-ash colored leather bra top worn over a cream-colored shirt—a look that echoed Balenciaga s latest Resort collection. Despite all that, though, outerwear was still the major player. There were trenchcoats, of course, including a piece designed in collaboration with blogger Lizzie Garrett Mettler of Tomboy Style and seasons-old jackets that were brought back to life with reworked denim swatches on the pockets and collars. Those will be made-to-order. For the Gryphon girl who s looking for instant gratification, the metallic anorak would be a smart choice.
