Hanne Gaby Wears

ABOVE: HANNE GABY ODIELE AT THE LAUNCH OF #HGOTOGO, ODIELE’S COLLABORATION WITH MATT BERNSON. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX LAKNER/BFA NY.

Last night, Hanne Gaby Odiele and Matt Bernson fêted the launch of their first-ever collaboration at the accessories designer’s airy Tribeca duplex boutique.

Odiele, the Belgian fashion model, is perhaps best known as the unofficial queen of model-off-duty street style. Need proof? A quick Instagram or Tumblr search of her name brings up enough endless scrolls of whimsical and brightly colored outfits to stage an entire fashion month roster (see: dreamy Dries van Noten coats, new and vintage Balenciaga statement pieces, Comme des Garçons 2-D shorts, and tons of Technicolor separates).

It’s no surprise then, that Odiele has taken her knack for pairing of fresh-off-the-runway demi-couture with equally eye-catching thrift store finds a step further. More than one year in the making, the Hanne Gaby x Matt Bernson collection is an abbreviated sampling of the type of understated, “sporty, but dressy” footwear today’s urban sophisticates crave. Best of all, the look book images (co-starring Odiele’s stylish model pals Tilda Lindtsam, Charlotte Free, and Xiao Wen Ju) were lensed by the heir-apparent of street style photography, Tommy Ton.

“From our very first meeting, Hanne brought a huge amount of creativity to the table, which made the project very exciting,” Bernson shared. “She also brought her strong sense of high-end style and individuality—that handmade quality with a touch of futurism that she does so well.”

One of the standout styles is a printed croc sling-back with zips at either side of the foot. “I call these the ‘wine spill,'” Odiele said of her merlot colored flatform sandals; for her chic affair, she paired them with a bias-cut Balenciaga blouse and T by Alexander Wang trousers slit to the knee.

“These are shoes for different days of the week,” Odiele declared. “They’re all very comfortable, which is good, especially when you have too many blisters. All the styles are flat, but still chic,” she continued. “You can wear them to the office or to the beach…either way you’re good to go!”

FOR MORE ON HANNE GABY X MATT BERNSON, VISIT BERNSON’S WEBSITE.