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With fall officially here, there’s a chill in the air, leaves are falling, and (in the best possible way) it’s the best fashion season. To dress us for all the fall activities and help us channel our best Cathy, Old Navy has teamed up with Altuzarra on an enchanting collaboration.

“Drawing inspiration from the Regency and early Victorian literary eras, the collection reflects the romance and mystery of classic Romantic and Gothic fiction,” according to a press release. Inspired by Wuthering Heights, these designs are meant to be worn passionately — and to frolic through wide fields in. It’s also the first time one of Old Navy’s collaborations has featured styles across women’s, girls’, and toddlers’ sizing for matching family moments.

Below, Old Navy’s Chief Creative Officer Zac Posen and Altuzarra’s Creative Director Joseph Altuzarra discuss how this collaboration came about and share their favorite styles to build fall outfits with. The limited-time collection ranges from $24 to $140 and is available on Old Navy’s website.

How the Collaboration Came Together

Old Navy has done many viral collabs at this point. How did this one come about? Who approached whom, and how has the process been working together?

Posen: This is actually our third collaboration with a designer. This came to be because Joseph and I ran into each other at a cocktail party and he kind of said: “I’d love to do something with you.” And then I went to one of his beautiful fashion shows, and the idea of doing designer collaborations was just percolating.

And I said, let’s stand for American design for an iconic American brand. And I knew I wanted Joseph. I was sitting in his fashion show, and I was just totally enchanted by the work and by him. And then his kids came running on the runway, and I knew that he was an Old Navy guy, too.

The Regency and Victorian Inspiration

Why did a Regency and Victorian-inspired collection feel like a natural fit for both brands?

Altuzarra: I think there was a really beautiful tension between what Old Navy stands for — this American sportswear and optimism and joy — and the romanticism and femininity of Altuzarra. When I was thinking about how to bring those worlds together, I had just read Wuthering Heights. I had read Pride and Prejudice. And I think this idea of storytelling through literature and books, and having that kind of bind everything together, felt really authentically Altuzarra, but also felt really interesting as a starting point for this collaboration.

Are there specific pieces that you think are Wuthering Heights-coded, or that a specific character would wear?

Altuzarra: Well, honestly, everything — when I was drawing it and when we were fitting it, I was imagining everything kind of windswept, like on a cliff somewhere in Scotland. I really imagined these tiered skirts blowing in the wind. A lot of the colors came from harvest festivals. So everything is coded in that way. And then I think the whole storytelling aspect with books and reading in the collection will make everything feel really cohesive.

Posen: And I was imagining bringing that romanticism onto the city streets — that moment when fall just starts to hit, and how great this collection would look from drop-off at school to a special occasion, or just everyday elevation of your wardrobe. Making pieces that can last a lifetime.

The Altuzarra Archive Influences

Which pieces are inspired by the Altuzarra archive?

Altuzarra: There are a bunch of styles inspired by the archive. The first piece I designed was this parka, which was really inspired by one of the first parkas I designed in 2011. It was sort of a military-inspired era in fashion.

Also the balloon pants with these really great pleats in the front. I think this is such a relevant shape right now. We showed a version of this on the runway, and it was amazing to be able to bring it to a broader audience with Old Navy.

Favorite Outfit Combinations

Which pieces make up your favorite outfit combination?

Posen: I never pick a favorite child… Okay, well, multiple moments. I love the parka — love it next to this yellow. I love the front-pleated trousers, and I love the black tailored jacket with the multi buttons. It’s such a great take on a classic jacket, and I love that paired with the front-pocket Joseph Altuzarra Old Navy jeans, because we are the denim destination.

Altuzarra: I love the mix of this great cotton poet blouse with the kind of American sportswear jacket that has broken-down embroidery, paired with a great tailored pant and these gloves with faux fur. I think there’s something so idiosyncratic and interesting and very “capital F fashion.”

And more for myself, I also love this look: a wider denim in a great wash with this Sherpa patchwork fleece with a yoke in knitwear. I just love how easy and how cool this looks, and that it speaks to Old Navy but also Altuzarra.

Is there a piece you think is most versatile — one that everyone needs in their closet?

Posen: Wow, that’s hard. When I look at this heathered tropical wool front trouser, I think it’s such a pickup look — a way for somebody to be romantic but also professional, and give that sense of whimsy. That’s a keeper.

Altuzarra: I definitely think everyone needs this in their closet. Everyone who’s tried it on has fallen in love with it. Also, don’t sleep on the balloon pant — it’s amazing with a suit jacket, with a little sweater, and great on a weekend. And then some of the underpinnings, like these great little T-shirts, are so easy. And obviously because it’s Old Navy, the denim is just effortless. Everything goes back to denim.

The Kids’ Collection

This is the first time an Old Navy collab has included children’s apparel. Why was this the perfect opportunity to do it?

Altuzarra: For me, it just feels really authentic and organic because I have three kids, so I’m constantly dressing kids and thinking about kids’ clothes. And I buy a lot of Old Navy kids’ clothes. So it felt like a really exciting way to continue the story from grown-ups into kids.

Posen: I’m all about mommy and me. Family matching moments are a really wonderful, whimsical part of Old Navy’s DNA — you see it in Jingle Jammies. I thought, what a great opportunity, especially within print and the shapes, to bring that moment into a collab. And I knew that Joseph was the man to bring it to life.

Do you have a favorite kids’ apparel piece?

Altuzarra: No contest — I love this one. I love the feeling that it’s a little bit of a ’90s dress, and I love that it’s sort of a full look in and of itself.

Posen: I love this sweater. It’s so cute. I just like how it has this dropped arm and relaxed quality. Super cute.

Where to Wear It This Fall

Where do you hope shoppers and fans wear these outfits this fall?

Posen: Wherever their own story takes them.

Altuzarra: Good answer!

The Old Navy x Altuzarra collection is available now, with prices ranging from $24 to $140.