Designer Charlotte Ronson is all grown up
Erin Skrypek

NEW YORK—Charlotte Ronson’s clothing label began as C. Ronson, a playful mix of cotton tees and underpants, but now it has matured into the more complete “Charlotte Ronson,” a true collection that is, aside from the new name, a more finished endeavour.
Because the Ronson name is synonymous with music - both Charlotte’s brother Mark and her twin sister Samantha are internationally known DJs, alongside the fact that the original C. Ronson line was done in partnership with Damon Dash - a lot of people like to look to Ronson’s clothes as some sort of insider’s link to the music industry. But they really aren’t, at least not any more. Her family may have ties to music and her laced-up tees might have been a favourite among music celebrities when she started, but it’s beyond that now.
Now paired with Japanese apparel company Sanei, Charlotte Ronson currently boasts 16 stores in Japan, as well as her little Nolita digs in Manhattan. A passing trend? It doesn’t look like it. FWD met Ronson at her Manhattan-based showroom, Showroom 7, to discuss the evolution of her collection.
With a tan still left over from summer and sun-streaked hair, Ronson was effortlessly dressed in a bohemian-inspired top from her Spring 2006 collection; a loose, brown floral tunic with some simple ruffles lining the open neck. Pairing her shirt with jeans cut off at the knees and some straw wedges, she looked younger than her 27 years. Her style was relaxed and cool, yet entirely together. Just by looking at her you could tell she wholly involved in fashion, not music, though you wouldn’t doubt she knew a thing or two about that subject as well.
Pulling a beaded top from the rolling rack and raising a slightly discontented brow at how her collection was merchandised on the racks, Ronson was quick to say she’s moved beyond her straightforward cotton separates and into a more upmarket, designer territory. “It’s more woven and less knit driven,” she said, “It got a little more grown up as I grew up… so I can still wear the clothes.”
She has expanded to jackets, more tailored dresses, pants, swimwear and shoes, not to mention her lucrative line of Tooshies, an adorable collection of ‘70s-printed underwear that stems from the C. Ronson days. It’s interesting to see how the tiny brightly collared dots of deer, lollypops, rainbows or ice cream cones printed on little girl-style white cotton tees and on little boy-style undies now contrast with the new hints of military (nautical ropes), safari details (cargo pockets) and bohemian shapes that rule her new line. That said, the Tooshies are still instep with the new line thanks to fun pieces like tie-died hoodies, shrunken sweatshirts and cropped French terrycloth sweatpants. It isn’t a 360-degree evolution, just a tweaking of Ronson’s old taste.
Charlotte Ronson’s Spring 2006 collection is priced as follows: tops (not tees) are about $180, dresses average $220 and jackets are between $260-$350. The collection will be available in March at all Charlotte Ronson shops, www.cronson.com, Planet Blue (Malibu, Venice, Santa Monica), Tracey Ross (West Hollywood), Jasmine Sola (Boston), American Rag (Los Angeles & San Francisco), Kitson (Los Angeles), Twist (New York & New Jersey) and Fabric (New Zealand).
Ronson is currently busy at work planning her Fall 2006 collection - another venture that mixes her youthful foundation with her maturing tendencies. “I am inspired by Brother Grimm’s ‘Hansel and Gretel,’” said Ronson, “[The next] collection shows the sweetness of eternal innocence, juxtaposed with the realization of lost youth.” Perhaps Ronson is also adding a little philosophy into the mix.
“Soft jersey and chiffon dresses and tops are in free-spirited, whimsical prints that are inspired by fantasy candy and delicious fruits and confectionary flowers,” she said. “I’m mixing this with rich, warm tweeds, corduroy and herringbone jackets, coats and bottoms mixed with chunky wool and cashmere knits that are perfect for the cold, dark, unknown enchanted forest of life.”
Ronson will also be expanding her accessory range continuing with her wedges and introducing boots, heels, bags and belts. “I will never have an excuse to not wear a full Charlotte Ronson outfit,” quipped the designer. A very business-savvy sentiment from a very full-fledged designer.