CHRIS BENZ

Penelope Gown

Womenswear designer Chris Benz is known for creating ready-to-wear collections that mix classic American sportswear with quirky charm and progressive colors. Raised in Seattle, Benz entered Parsons at the age of 17 and graduated in 2004 with an internship at Marc Jacobs and the CFDA Emerging Designer Award under his belt. After graduation, Benz worked for J. Crew before establishing his eponymous label in 2007. His womenswear is at once all things elegant tomboy with eccentric preppy undertones. Each silhouette is classic yet modern, incorporating innovative details, sheer elements, layers, and heaps of color.