Patrick Assaraf: Calm, Cool & Collected

We’ve carried Assaraf’s T-shirts and knits for several years; they’re so flattering and soft to the touch that customers often buy three or four at a time. This fall, you’ll find the Canadian designer’s full collection of beautifully made basics, from Merino wool knits and sweaters and silk-cotton polos to blazers, and outerwear. Each piece offers incredible versatility and value, whether you’re building a new wardrobe or enhancing your closet.

“Patrick has really come into his own signature look. It’s modern and elegant, never flashy,” says Belinda Yu, Harry Rosen’s sportswear buyer. “These are very easy sportswear pieces. Every man can wear Patrick Assaraf clothes without having to think too hard about how to coordinate the rest of his look.”

Assaraf’s designs combine European aesthetics, North American sensibilities and a great deal of insight about what men are looking for. It’s no coincidence that Assaraf is deeply attuned to the needs of Harry Rosen customers – he visits the stores often to consult with buyers and Clothing Advisors. “He’s always looking to make the most value-added, sophisticated pieces of a particular item and improve upon what he’s done,” says Yu.

“Men just want to look good,” says Assaraf. “That’s really the focus of my way of thinking. They also want comfort – and it can’t be too complicated.” Versatility is another essential. “Everybody’s active today, and this collection reflects that,” Assaraf continues. “You can go to the airport or you can go out to dinner and still look refined. It’s easy.”

Yu muses that the Patrick Assaraf customer is much like the man himself: “He’s entrepreneurial, he’s a globetrotter, he wants ease and elegance, and he wants good value for his money. Those are all tenets of Patrick’s design process. Life is complicated enough – he takes the noise out of how a man dresses.”