Nathan Jenden has been quietly making his mark as chief design officer at DVF. With his debut collection unveiled in February, the London-born Central Saint Martins graduate continues to build on his efforts to infuse the brand’s signature prints and dresses with a softer touch and a sense of lightness.

Jenden references the Age of the Aquarius as a starting point for spring, channeling its open spirit through free-flowing silhouettes, the dreamy illusion of sheer fabrics and prints layered, and designs that invite effortless movement.

But his designs aren’t in the clouds. They’re grounded in the way women want to dress now.

“Diane started with a dress that you wear to work, and now, how do people dress when they go to work? They actually wear a lot more separates, and how do we dress that up?” Jenden asked himself, observing that, “I also think that people want to wear clothes that are comfortable.”

That is one of the reasons why Jenden focused on knitwear, particularly sweaters, for this collection. From a sporty tennis polo in copper Lurex with matching knit skirt to ballerina wrap cardigans in merino silk, the offering spans easy-to-wear, “pull on, pull off” pieces that prioritize the woman’s pace of life.

Versatility was at top of mind for the British designer. But also the idea of simplifying each garment. Fixtures like buttons, zippers and hook-and-eyes were notably absent. And there was a reason for that, said Jenden. “Diane always says that you can stay the night with the guy, and then he doesn’t even know you’ve left in the morning, because you’re not making that noise [with your clothes].” An attention to detail ladies on the go would truly appreciate.

Yet perhaps most appealing, there is comfort knowing that a garment is free of restrictive fastenings or ones that are just simply cumbersome to undo when in the process of getting dressed and undressed each day. Even those seemingly small details can feel profoundly liberating.

“It’s joyful, but just a little bit softer, because I feel like, you know, with all the hardness that’s going on in the world, it’s time for a bit of joy,” said Jenden.