Over the past two decades, Derek Lam has made a name for himself with a distinct luxurious eye and approach to American fashion. Fast forward, and Lam’s new role, as creative director of Italian brand Câllas, allows him to further lean into his ethos.

As he put it, Câllas is “a brand that aligns with my vision of design with intention and purpose. With Câllas, I want to create clothing for discerning women who appreciate fashion with lasting quality and produced responsibly.”

Câllas was launched in 2020 by Jan-Hendrik Schlottmann, its CEO, and Marco Panzeri, CEO of Italian manufacturer Cieffe. The vertical company’s business strategy emphasizes a direct-to-consumer model with the addition of carefully curated retail partners including Neiman Marcus, Elyse Walker, The Conservatory, and Ikram.

“Our products are made with a conscious and ethical approach, utilizing locally sourced materials and crafts,” Schlottman, who is Lam’s husband, said. “Our focus is on craftsmanship, ensuring high quality and longevity. Our motto is: what is beautiful today, remains beautiful tomorrow”.

Lam’s initial capsule will be unveiled on Saturday, February 10th,  during New York Fashion Week.

“My immediate objective,” Lam noted, “is to establish a clear and recognizable brand identity, focusing on distinctive silhouettes across all categories with the Câllas ethos of responsibly made luxury fashion.”