SLIDESHOW: Richard Chai Love by Filson creative director Richard Chai. The fall/winter ‘12 collection sparked what would become the formal relationship between the designer and the local brand; many of the upcoming season’s pieces feature Filson-informed elements. Check the fanny pack-belt-coat situation here. Swoon.

Filson’s tried and true shooting bag was one of Chai’s big inspirations. Why should hunters get all the fanny packs, after all? (And why have I not seen this thing before and worked it into my personal collection?)

And a version for the guys. Overall, the collection has a sort of androgynous egalitarian/utilitarian thing going on.

The designer riffed on the shooting bag in a number of different ways. According to style.com, his aim was ‘handsome femininity.’

Filson’s backpacks were also adapted for the runway. Personally, I think backpacks are better left in elementary schools, but to each his/her own.

Another gorgeous, shooting-bag coat.

Though not strictly Filson-informed, this outerwear example also fuses the urban setting with an outdoors one. It would be interesting to see this piece in person; it’s a little unclear what’s going on with that mock drawstring neck …

I think it’s exciting that a designer who shows shooting bags, tin cloth, and rugged backpacks in the same narrative as classic prep knitwear and voluminous free-form slacks is now working for our favorite local brand.

Same thing goes here. Sheer pants and oversized menswear? Please pack those ideas when you come out west, Chai.

If you see this guy on streets of Seattle—maybe down around SoDo—wave back.