New York based design Jonathan Cohen found himself drawn to his roots for his latest Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Inspired by his upbringing in San Diego, California, particularly Windansea beach, one block from his high school and the book, The Pump House Gang, a 1968 collection of essays and journalism by Tom Wolfe. The stories in the book explored various aspects of the countercultures of the 1960s. The most famous story in the collection, from which the book takes its name, is about Jack Macpherson and his gang of surfers that frequented a sewage pump house at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. The surfers formed gang like friendship. They tested the realms of territory and made their own. In their own ways, they thrived off the power from the beach, almost becoming creatures of Windansea. These edge and rebellious surfers reflected the embodiment of Jonathan Cohen woman today.

During a recent trip back to San Diego, Jonathan photographed the beach, surfers and an old VW wagon, where the collections prints and colors stem from. All elements of the prints were discovered surrounding Windansea Beach. The collection takes the concept of The Pump House Gang and its "grunge" beach culture modified, heightening to couture like shapes, beautiful details, and luxe fabrications. The bright colors and prints speak to Jonathan's Californian background, while the modern design of each piece represents his sophisticated sense and appreciation of style and the contemporary urban woman.

Jonathan Cohen is designed and produced in NYC. Jonathan Cohen thrives on multidimensional influences. Continuing on from past seasons, Jonathan worked with illustrator Adrien Dacquel, creating symbolic designs to pair with the prints. These designs translated into the t-shirt capsule for the season.

Music, architecture and world cultures serve as a constant and rich source of inspiration. This seventh collection from the brand is a fervent reflection of a unique mix of coastal ease and big city cool blended with a modern and vibrant edge.