Biography
Chris Benz is an American designer whose bold, exuberant collections convey a sense of history as well as progress, and a keen understanding of the emotional, vibrant aspects of how women want to dress. With the best of American sportswear, European craftsmanship and the ever-evolving concept of modernity as his guides, Benz brings new life to the canon of women's wear essentials each season.
Benz attended the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, where, in 2004, he was recognized with the coveted "Emerging Designer Award" from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). He launched his eponymous collection with the Fall/Winter 2007 season, drawing relevance and inspiration from his love of popular culture, art and architecture, as well his work at Marc Jacobs Collection and J. Crew, the venerable institution of classic American design. The New York Times immediately dubbed the premiere collection "the best example of the heightened level of sophistication that is expected of new designers today." Chris Benz signatures include unabashed use of color and texture, and deft use of prints. The designer is also acclaimed for his inventive subversion of traditional dressmaking codes and techniques, like the t-shirt expertly cut and rendered in an elegant fabric, or the resort gown with the simplicity of a pareo. His witty, distinct point-of-view has been described as "perfect imperfection," and the result is meant to feel accessible without sacrificing personality, and to reflect the dialogue between the wearer's style and her real life.
Chris Benz has been featured extensively in such publications as The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Women's Wear Daily, and international editions of Marie Claire, Glamour, InStyle. Outside the fashion world, Benz has been featured extensively in the media in both television and online, notably on HBO's How To Make It In America, E's Fashion Police, and Bravo's Styled To Rock, produced by Rihanna. His irreverent personality has generated a dedicated international social media audience.
Over the past decade, Benz has designed for both his own women's ready-to-wear collection, as well as with some of the most esteemed brands and companies in the world, refining their vision through both collaborative design and creative consultation. In recent years, Benz assumed the role of Industry Mentor for the Fashion School at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, as well as having been awarded the Pantone Award "Best Use of Color By A Designer" by WGSN.
In his current role as Creative Director in charge of the reintroduction of Bill Blass in 2015, Benz is working diligently towards transitioning the great American 20th Century company into a global 21st Century brand.
