Come spring, gr.dano wants to let you down easy – or, at least, soften the landing as we emerge from winter months – courtesy of a spring 2010 collection punctuated with uncharacteristically loose, flowing pieces in crinkled parachute-like fabric alongside the structured shapes and neutral hues the San Francisco-based label from Brian Scheyer and Jill Giordano has become known for.

In creating their latest and fifth collection, Scheyer and Giordano found inspiration in the works of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, whose wrapped buildings and installations such as The Gates in New York City incorporate flowing fabrics in the most unexpected of ways.

“That led to this parachute feel, where things are kind of drawn up and use drawstrings in interesting ways to accentuate certain parts of the body and create shape,” Giordano says.

Done in neutral hues and solids with the occasional buffalo plaid or subtle stripe, the collection includes versatile dresses in jersey and stretch poplin, flouncy skirts whose shape comes from tucked and folded details and a mix of loose silhouettes and more body-conscious pieces with architectural details. Standouts include a wear-with-anything pair of leggings with pant-like construction, a tie-waist skirt in grey parachute material and numerous necklines accented with playful folds and abbreviated cowl necks.

Despite design sensibilities that result in many first-timer viewers of their work assuming they’re from Europe, the designers intend to remain firmly planted in the Bay Area. Working at a remove from the major fashion hubs, it seems, can have its advantages. 

Says Jill:

“You’re not persuaded to do what everyone else is doing. It really lets you be creative and come up with your own ideas. I feel like you can be who you want to be.”