Behind the Threads: CooLuxStylin

Fashionistos have all heard the sayings “treat the world as your runway” and “fashion changes but style is eternal.” Echoing throughout the streets of New York, those words have inspired numerous fashion designers to take their visions and make it a reality. Chris Gonzalez, founder and designer of CooLuxStylin, takes his style and targets a niche that many designers neglect.“Fashion is an outlet for me to release my creative juices,” he said. “I bring something new and fresh to the urban community.”

As he heads to his factory in the Garment District wearing his wax denim jeans, CooLux leather jacket and hats, he doesn’t look at current trends for his inspiration, but rather gets inspired from the city. “Most of my designs are in my head, but I look at modern art and what’s new in New York,” he said.

Gonzalez takes a basic item like a hat and transform it into his own creation. The Two Tone Denim 5-Panel Strapback, is a throwback to the 90’s which is gaining popularity, and mixes denim with leather. Quilted leather is on the brim and strap, while he mixes two colors of denim, and adds a gold plated buckle and button to finish the hat.

He releases his new designs in a timely matter and is working on having a full line. “Right now I am focusing on new items and the possibility of doing fashion shows,” he said.

One of his newest designs is the Double Zip Sweatpants, which combine soft cotton fabric with a slim fit cut, making these pants creative and one of a kind. There are four zippers across the front of the sweatpants, with real black or red snakeskin as knee patches. With gold plated zippers as the finishing touch, these sweatpants are the perfect item to liven up your outfit.

Within the few years that CooLuxStylin has been around, it has already received attention from NBA players and musicians. You can see the complete collection and place an order by visiting the website. Prices of the items vary, but range from $200-$400.