Nautica

David Chu

The Label

Using the Latin word for ships, David Chu started his menswear company, Nautica, in 1983 and proceeded to build an empire based on all things attached to the sailing mentality. Since then, the label has grown to include women’s and children’s ready-to-wear, swim, denim, and fragrance lines, all housed in several big stores around the city. The logo-happy collection covers all the bases for anyone who spends much of his day outdoors: sporty windbreakers in all-American red, white, and blue; tailored suits for him and her; crisp khakis, polos, and button-down shirts; and equally patriotic-looking swimwear that has steered into sexier waters over the last few seasons.

The Look

East Coast bluebloods on a permanent yachting trip.

The Designer

Preferring to keep a low profile, the no-nonsense Chu doesn’t go for the bells and whistles other fashion heads might. He’s a keen businessman first and foremost. Chu moved to the U.S. from Taiwan at the age of 14, speaking no English. He went on to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology before launching Nautica.

Official Website

nautica.com