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"FacebookPinterest\n\n Club Monaco has undergone a brand transformation over the past several years. All the way from monochromatic European minimalism to staple-driven, hearty haberdashery for American guys, the latest chapter is its best to date. Vice President of Men's Design Aaron Levine has been on a similarly torrid path in his own career, doing time at the now-defunct Hickey, Rogues Gallery, Jack Spade, and now Club Monaco. Levine is one of the most approachable guys in men's clothing, so why should his first full collection for the brand be any different? From soft Italian tailoring, to British style that's equal parts stoic and whimsical, to hardcore Americana, the Club Monaco fall lineup has something for everyone. Simply put, you're going to want to shop here if you don't already. We met with Levine to discuss what's happening behind the scenes of one of the more watched American brand stories of the new year.\n\n\n\nGQ: How do you feel? Are you pumped?\n\n Aaron Levine:  I am! I am super excited. However, I've felt better. I went out with Michael Williams last night.\n\nFacebookPinterest\n\nGQ: Say no more. What's the first thing that comes to mind with the new collection?\n\n Aaron Levine:  It's a departure, for sure. This is July, August, September. So what you're seeing here is transitional. It's crazy for us because we \"flip\" product in the store and add new deliveries 14 times a year. We are a buy now, wear now brand, so for July we are still stocking shorts. It's not like that with everyone.\n\nGQ: But there's some outerwear here, for sure.\n\n Aaron Levine:  Our fall outerwear is insane! I'll give you a sneak peek. We have a new guy on our team doing outerwear for us now, and the guy is a freakin' ninja. Our design team is six people\u2014it's super tight, we're all focused, and we're all on the same page. Casual elegance has been our theme. We want our guys to be able to have the option to wear tasty stuff.\n\nFacebookPinterest\n\nGQ: This suit\u2014it looks expensive. I'm guessing, however, it won't be.\n\n Aaron Levine:  That suit is likely going to retail for under $600, all said and done. It's got great details; full curtain waistband, pick stitching. We really considered the details. This quality of this stuff makes it look much more expensive than it actually is. I'm using a lot of the factories and people I've used over the last 12 years of my career, but we've been able to make it even more accessible. [Levine pulls a pocket square from the chest of the mannequin we're examining] Sorry buddy!\n\nGQ: There are a bunch of DB jackets rigged in here. Big story for you guys?\n\n Aaron Levine:  We did a few DBs, for sure. There are two sides to our suiting game\u2014we have our opening price point offering, which you just saw, and then we have our elevated tailored clothing. Even this is still really affordable, full canvassing, double venting on all the jackets, etc. We've got this whole aesthetic I love right now; these nylon climbing belts, paired with Japanese canvas trousers and then a nice jacket on top. Toss in some McNairy boots (we're continuing to stock Mark McNairy product) and it's just a great look.\n\nFacebookPinterest\n\nGQ: This pin-dot suit is pretty amazing.\n\n Aaron Levine:  Probably my favorite suit right here. Super-chill, pin-dot, great finishes. We're selling everything as separates, so you can buy it as a dress trouser, as a jacket, etc. A lot of guys probably wouldn't wear this whole thing as a suit, but I would. I dig this thing. It's my summer wedding suit. Aggressive.\n\nGQ: The sweaters are bold statements.\n\n Aaron Levine:  We're doing a lot with knits, and sweaters. A few of these actually came in differently from the factory than we were expecting. People take credit for the good, but don't want to for the bad\u2014but hey, these came in off, but they looked amazing. It's a beautiful mistake. We also did these kind of inside-out Fair Isles\u2014all the links will be on the inside... and fisherman [sweaters] in cotton linen\u2014put your paws on that!\n\nFacebookPinterest\n\nGQ: What else is in the collection?\n\n Aaron Levine:  We have a lot to talk about in the accessories department\u2014exotic-skin belts, a collaboration with Smathers Branson on some needlepoint leather pieces, great bags from a variety of guys, super-natty scarves, and socks, and of course our Made in the USA collection. That's all really beautiful, staple-driven pieces, as well as collaborations with Golden Bear, Barbour, and Sunspel. \n\nFacebookPinterest\n\n As far as denim, we know our guy does want to buy denim from us, but we also know that he's discerning. So we're sticking with American mills we trust, and doing basic black selvedge, a rinsed wash, and classic rigid. We're not going to mess around. The materials we're using have real integrity. It's amazing to me that we are able to offer such great product at these price points. Overall, I'm just really thrilled and looking forward to working with all of it, and getting everything ready for the stores. I've had a blast so far.\n\nGQ: What are you going to do after we leave?\n\n Aaron Levine:  I'm going to go down six coconut pineapple waters and go back to work. [laughs] Please tell me you don't want to take a picture of me today, of all days."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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