What's the one thing in the world that can cure lovesickness, stress, hangovers, and even keep you warm in the cold, dark night? No, it's not that — get your mind out of the gutter. It's a cashmere blanket, and the centerpiece of The Elder Statesman, a new collection that also includes sweaters, hats, scarves, and hoodies made of 100 percent feel-it-to-believe-it cashmere. Designed by the Los Angeles entrepreneur Greg Chait, a 30-year-old former exec at The Firm and Ksubi, The Elder Statesman is all hand-spun by artisans he's found during his world travels, from a knitting guild in western Canada (they give good thread) to an elderly craftsman in Italy (who also works with Hermès). Though Chait has no formal fashion education, the lady-slaying surf dude — who's a partner at L.A. drinkeries The Dime and Winston's — has, over the years, become an expert on those rare pieces of clothing (say, a hooded sweatshirt) that manage to look good on men and even better on women the next morning. "There's a thin line between sexy and frumpy," Chait tells me in his Manhattan showroom. "That's why I tried this stuff on so many girls of different sizes and heights and things. I want it to look ill on a girl."
While the higher-end items put the cash in cashmere — prices available upon request — Chait guarantees them for life and will take one back anytime for free refurbishing. (He also makes custom pieces if you have a California King or a thing for monograms.) One of the Italian-made blankets he showed me is so soft from a special finishing wash that it feels like the tactile equivalent of breaking the sound barrier — but don't expect Chait to share his secrets. "I freaked out when I felt this; I couldn't believe it," he recalls. "I can't say, but it's all in the formula: where you do it, the type of water, the pH balance." He's more forthcoming about the inspiration for the collection: his older brother Paul, who died at age 33 in 2003, leaving behind a wife and young son. "He was an incredible guy, and since this is so personal to me, I thought I would name it in honor of him," Chait says. "The Elder Statesman symbolizes someone who holds a high rank in society and is revered by all, and that was the perfect way to describe him."
