Sensual Structure: Inside the World of Simkhai
Origins and Founding
Simkhai was founded in 2010 by Jonathan Simkhai in New York City. A Parsons graduate, Simkhai set out to design garments that merged architectural tailoring with a sensual, body-forward perspective. Early collections focused on elevated basics with unexpected cutouts, sleek textures, and modern femininity. The brand quickly gained traction for its blend of strength and softness, earning Simkhai the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2015.
Ownership and Leadership
Jonathan Simkhai remains the creative director and face of the brand, which operates under the rebranded name SIMKHAI as of 2022. He leads a team based between Los Angeles and New York, overseeing both ready-to-wear and newly introduced categories like denim and accessories.
Aesthetic and Design Language
Simkhai is known for its fluid power dressing—garments that combine sharp tailoring with unexpected draping, sheer layering, or corset detailing. The brand plays with tension: masculine and feminine, structured and soft, revealing and refined. Color palettes range from icy neutrals to rich jewel tones, often grounded in luxe materials like silk, crepe, and fine knits. SIMKHAI has also leaned into elevated everyday wear, introducing denim, leather, and relaxed essentials without losing its signature sophistication.
Notable Pieces
- Cutout Midi Dresses – A recurring signature: long, body-skimming dresses with open back panels or chest cutouts in ribbed jersey or stretch satin.
- Sculpted Blazers – Tailored jackets with hourglass shaping and soft draping or deconstructed sleeves.
- Sheer Panel Knitwear – Luxe sweaters that combine mesh and solid panels for a layered, skin-baring effect.
- Twisted Front Tops & Sets – Draped tops that cross or knot at the center, often styled with wide-leg matching pants.
- Eveningwear Capsules – Elegant gowns with plunging necklines, asymmetrical hems, and high-impact silhouettes.
Famous Fans
- Zendaya
- Emily Ratajkowski
- Jennifer Lopez
- Sydney Sweeney
- Gigi Hadid
The Future
Simkhai continues to expand into new categories, including accessories, eyewear, and fragrance. With a growing presence at fashion weeks and high-end retailers, the brand is also focusing on direct-to-consumer engagement and exclusive capsule drops. Simkhai’s evolving aesthetic keeps pace with modern femininity, staying rooted in empowerment through sharp, sensual design.
