CHARAF TAJER’S SPRING SUMMER 2025 COLLECTION FOR CASABLANCA WAS A HEARTFELT HOMAGE TO MEXICAN-AMERICAN YOUTH CULTURE AND BROADER LA SUBCULTURES. REFLECTING ON HIS YOUNGER YEARS, TAJER SPOKE ABOUT THE CONNECTION HE FELT BETWEEN MEXICANS IN THE U.S. AND ARABS IN PARIS—BOTH COMMUNITIES OF “OUTSIDERS” WHO SHAPED THEIR OWN DISTINCT CULTURES AND STYLES. NOW, 25 YEARS LATER, HIS ADMIRATION FOR THIS CULTURAL TAPESTRY TOOK CENTRE STAGE.

THE RUNWAY IMMEDIATELY EVOKED THE SPIRIT OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURE THAT TAJER REFERENCED. HOWEVER, AS THE COLLECTION UNFOLDED, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS HOMAGE HAD EXPANDED INTO A BROADER EXPLORATION OF LA SUBCULTURES.

THE COLLECTION’S GRAPHICS TEAM DREW INSPIRATION FROM CALIFORNIAN PSYCHEDELIC ARTISTS LIKE RICK GRIFFIN, INFUSING THE BRAND’S SIGNATURE FOULARD PRINTS WITH BOLD, FREEWHEELING DESIGNS. THE MULTICOLOR FADES ON CRYSTAL-TRIMMED SHIRTS ADDED A STRIKING TOUCH, ECHOING THE GRADIENTS OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON LA STREETS. A SURF-INSPIRED SECTION INTRODUCED OVERSIZED DENIM EDGED IN RAINBOW FRAYS, NODDING TO VENICE BEACH’S SKATE CULTURE.