ProHipHop Fashion Coverage Continues at Fashion II
ProHipHop's hip hop fashion coverage continues in our Fashion II category.
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ProHipHop's hip hop fashion coverage continues in our Fashion II category.
The Giant Peach at MAGIC
The Giant Peach has a video with a "taste of what's to come for Holiday & Spring for some of our lines" from their late August trip to the MAGIC fashion trade show in Las Vegas.
Goolish Glow-in-the-Dark Vent-Tech 6-inch Premium
I'm kind of digging Timberland's new Goolish Glow-in-the-Dark Vent-Tech 6-inch Premium boots.
Goolish Glow-in-the-Dark Vent-Tech 6-inch Premium
They're much hyphier than Timberland's hyphy boots.
Hyphy 6-Inch Premium
Spoke too soon. I hadn't seen the orange soled Hyphy Boots though I think that honeycomb look is hard to beat.
Kimora Lee Simmons recently unveiled a new Baby Phat fragrance collection and revealed her plans for future fragrances:
This week in New York City, she launched her new Baby Phat fragrance collection. A second freestanding scent, Fabulosity, will join the lineup this fall. Simmons says also has two additional scents to her Goddess fragrance line coming out in the spring. "I'd also like to do a [fragrance] splash for my daughters," Simmons said.
Unforgivable For Women by Sean John [Cinematic Mix]
According to Blogger A this Unforgivable For Women by Sean John commercial was "too racy" for MTV. Be that as it may, I concur with Blogger A, it's a long commercial.
Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Sex & Race: Sean John's Unforgivable Ad Campaign
It doesn't take much to realize that banning saggy pants is kind of ridiculous unless, of course, you believe that will make some kind of difference in regards to the bad things in the world:
Last week, Atlanta Councilman C. T. Martin sponsored an amendment to the city's indecency laws to ban sagging, which he called an epidemic. "We are trying to craft a remedy," said Mr. Martin, who sees the problem as "a prison mentality."
Well, there you go, prisoners go home and launch the saggy style, saggy styles get picked up by forward fashion youth, the saggy style then spreads everywhere, therefore, kids have a prison mentality. Ask around and see if any kids wearing saggy clothes would describe themselves as dressing like prisoners.
Things start one place and change as they spread. If you want to make a direct connection back to the beginning, you've got to provide some evidence, not a leap of logic that looks more like a leap of faith.
Niko Koppel does a nice job overall with this look at the variety of places banning saggy pants and the various issues involved. Unfortunately, I can't buy this line which is a big one if accepted at face value:
Not since the zoot suit has a style been greeted with such strong disapproval.
Between the zoot suit and now, lots of people have gotten seriously injured for dressing in disapproved ways. Ask the hippies. That's not to say that one couldn't draw many parallels but we haven't seen anything like the Zoot Suit Riots in relationship to saggy pants.
Apparently HSAN may get involved:
Benjamin Chavis, the former executive director of the N.A.A.C.P., said, “I think to criminalize how a person wears their clothing is more offensive than what the remedy is trying to do.”
Dr. Chavis, who is often pictured in an impeccable suit and tie among the baggy outfits of the hip-hop elite, is a chairman of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, a coalition he founded with the music mogul Russell Simmons. He said that the coalition will challenge the ordinances in court.
“The focus should be on cleaning up the social conditions that the sagging pants comes out of,” he said. “That they wear their pants the way they do is a statement of the reality that they’re struggling with on a day-to-day basis.”
HSAN would be an appropriate group to take this on though I'll be surprised if they do anything substantial with this issue in terms of legal action. And the idea that all these saggy pants wearing people are reflecting their struggle in their clothing is also kind of ridiculous but I guess we'll be encountering that soundbite over and over in press releases and media coverage as soon as HSAN starts holding press conferences on the matter.
There are very serious issues at stake here in terms of self-expression and freedom of speech but also in terms of potential harassment of saggy pants wearing people. I don't believe these initiatives will successfully make it through the courts but I do know that as soon as they pass locally, cops won't be swarming the malls, they'll be swarming low-income neighborhoods and clearing the streets.
Now if you'd promise me showcase raids on malls filled with rich white kids, heck, rich kids of any color, then I might sign on just for entertainment.
Late last week Russell Simmons stepped down as CEO of Phat Fashions and Kimora Lee Simmons expanded her role as President and Creative Director of Baby Phat to become Creative Director of Phat Fashions.
It's unclear if a new CEO will be named or if those duties will subsume to Kellwood CEO Robert C. Skinner, Jr.
Rich Boy - Will Not Lose Video
I can't say I'm really inspired by this Rich Boy spot for Rocawear's I Will Not Lose campaign but Rich Boy's YouTube channel just released an embeddable version.
Know why you haven't seen many of the Will Not Lose spots posted a couple of weeks ago on YouTube?
They're not embeddable. The why is beyond me.
I've become a big fan of DrJays.com blog and quickly added it to World Cypher even though I never really check out the clothes they have for sale except when I need to see an example of something in the news. That statement might strike old school business types as evidence of wasted energy but that would be missing the beauty of what they do with this blog.
Though I would prefer to have the blogger or bloggers identified, other than that, I think everything they do is right on target for a blog intended to support a business through the provision of entertaining content closely tied but not limited to their core business.
So, looking at the current home page, one sees posts about fashions they carry, posts about celebrities whose lines they carry and posts documenting visits by celebrities whose lines they will be carrying.
They also link out to other blogs when there's relevant coverage such as their post about ProHipHop's hyphy boot post. Though I doubt they link to direct competitors, linking out is key to building communication and presence and they're successfully linking out to thematically related blogs that have relevant content without having to big up or attack the competition.
One more category of posts well worth considering are those that feature thematically related news not directly connected to anything they carry but intended to spur discussion, such as this post about Mary-Kate Olsen.
I could point to more but that already covers a lot of territory. While DrJays does have the added benefit of regular celebrity visits, any business blog can be used to open up a window into the life of a company in a way that will draw in readers. Though guys sitting at desks and talking a lot are already too common on hip hop company blogs, visits by cool people are always good as are celebratory events and other activities that help give readers a personal connection to the business and the brand.
For example, say you've got a tiny store in a tiny town and you think you don't need a blog. A better way to approach the issue is not to ask whether or not you need one, cause everybody already knows who you are, but rather to explore how a blog could deepen your relationship with the community you already serve.
One idea along those lines would be to make your customers the stars. Let's say somebody buys the first piece from a line you're hoping to cash in on and you take their picture and feature them on the blog. Suddenly they're a superstar for a couple of days plus, since blogs readily archive material, they can link to it from their MySpace blog giving longer life and broader reach to your content while helping promote your current stock.
That's right, now you're not only a retail artist but a content creator and star maker and all you did was start a blog that featured your customers wearing your merchandise.
Other related possibilities would be to make your neighborhood a star by visiting nearby stores and featuring the characters that hang on your block. If your business takes you into the community or on the road, that offers more content possibilities that are real, not something phony or irrelevant or manufactured in the crazed mind of a publicist [no disrespect intended].
By blogging on the open web with content that goes beyond whatever they're carrying at the moment DrJays can dramatically extend their reach. So I may not buy their clothes or visit their store, though I'd probably drop in now even if I wasn't shopping, but I'm writing about them because it relates to my blog. But I'm really writing about them because I check for them and enjoy their content.
Since they do mail order, that extends their reach in a potentially direct manner, especially since fashion is the biggest category for which web surfers check at ProHipHop. But I think that even if you don't do mail order, the examples above show that such an overall approach with context specific details can help even a small local business with no plans to serve a broader community.
Featured Blog:
DrJays.com Blog
Timberland's Hyphy Black w/Green 6 Inch Boot
Here's what I received from the same pr source as the above photo:
Timberland does indeed have three boots in its Fall 2007 Authentic Youth line that are inspired by the Hyphy scene in the Bay: one is a 6 Inch Premium in Black with Green and White and Black with Orange and White; one is a Roll-Top (same color scheme as 6 Inch) and one is a Euro Dub (same color scheme as 6 Inch). They will hit retail nationwide in mid-August and retail for $145, $110 and $100 respectively (to the order above).
Timberland footwear designers are inspired by all aspects of youth and youth culture, and its my understanding that these particular boots were inspired by a trip that they made to the Bay in 2006.
The Cents/Scent T-Shirt by Alife
I'm not sure how long these Snowman/Cents tshirts have been out but I really like them.
The Night/Thing T-Shirt by Hiroshi Fujiwara & Fragment Design
Look, it's DMC in a Staple t.
Unfortunately, the Staple Design website undermines its coolness by requiring one to disable one's popup blocker to use. If I didn't like that Snowman t so much I wouldn't have bothered but they hooked me.
Via Front Runner.
Fergie Ferg will appear in Candie's fall campaign that is said to be "extracted" from the video for Big Girls Don't Cry featuring Candie's merch:
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICON) recently announced its exclusive partnership with 3x Grammy award-winning artist, Fergie for its Candie's(R) brand fall '07 television, print and online advertising campaign. The junior brand, available exclusively at Kohl's Department Stores, styled her current music video "Big Girl Don't Cry," which features Candie's apparel, footwear, jewelry, sleepwear, hats and bedding.
The Candie's television commercial is a direct cut from the "Big Girls Don't Cry" music video and the print campaign will feature candid shots taken on set during the shoot. This is the first time a junior fashion brand has extracted their campaign from a music video. "Big Girls Don't Cry" is in the top five on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and among the top 10 most played videos on MTV and VH-1.
Related Coverage:
Fergie to Star in Candie's Only at Kohl's Campaign
Lil Wayne is launching clothing lines Foreign Money for men and Double U for women.
A 50 Cent boutique is being set up in the virtual world of Zwinky. For those that ain't heard, 50 Cent topped Stardoll's Paperdoll Heaven Chart back in '06.
Doppelganger is providing virtual boutique services for Rocawear.
50 Cent rocks a G-Unit t on 106 & Park.
Fabolous discusses his new clothing line Rich Yung Society.
will.i.am and Lor-e Phillips unveiled their new uniforms for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos Tuesday night at a soiree for Mark Ronson's new cd at Hard Rock Cafe New York.
More from the press release:
[The] new designs will debut at Hard Rock's two newest properties: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Biloxi, opening July 7, and Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, opening Fall 2007. Hard Rock will roll out the uniforms to eight other Hard Rock Hotel and Casino properties in operation or development in 2008...
will.i.am...studied design at the Los Angeles Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and then joined forces with Lor-e Phillips, a noted LA-based fashion designer and head stylist for Black Eyed Peas, in 2001 to create the i.am clothing line...Using the i.am line as an inspiration, the two have now collaborated on the new collection for Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, which comprises 27 uniforms for both men and women...
Lor-e and will.i.am have incorporated several signature elements into the uniform designs, including puffed sleeves, tonal lizard brocades at the collar and cuffs and Hard Rock's trademark signature tattoo prints. The uniforms for each hotel also reflect the unique essence of the specific property: the uniforms for Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Biloxi exude a relaxed Southern style, with deep purple, brown and bronze colors accented with putty, burgundy and rust grey, while the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego collection contains a more colorful and tailored pattern, with signature floral brocade details...
Working with Lor-e, will.i.am created a unique look for each employee after studying the needs of the individual job function...The cocktail waitresses will don a short skirt, box-fitting, corset-like bustier and three-quarter sleeve mini bolero jacket, while the casino dealers are outfitted in shirts and blouses embellished with the signature tattoo print and silver stud buttons, as well as black bottoms. Guests will be greeted by front office agents wearing signature shirts with tonal lizard brocades and gunmetal buttons, accompanied by black pinstripe pants.
From what I've seen, the uniforms look great and I'll update with links to better images.
Hieroglyphics Announce Hiero Jeans
Hieroglyphics has announced a new line of men's denim jeans:
The first release, which consists of a hand-numbered, limited edition, vintage indigo "Basic" style denim, will initially be available online exclusively. This debut will be followed by four different denim jean styles including an organic jean, a resin-coated jean, a soft grey denim, and an all-black formal "Phantom" jean.
The line will debut at MAGIC in August with performances by members of Hieroglyphics and then will launch more widely with related t-shirts and sweatshirts plus a women's line to follow in '08.
No site yet but check for it at hierojeans.com.
New fashion lines are coming from Russell and Kimora Simmons. Phat Farm is releasing Russell's:
XV, a casual line aimed at the hip, older guy; Atman, an expensive line with such items as cashmere hoodies embroidered with yoga images in silk; and Russell Simmons, a line of pinstripe suits with style.
While Baby Phat is going upscale with a woman's line called KLS.
The Alador & Smith label is taking off with designer t-shirts.
Via DrJay's Blog.
Vanessa & Angela Simmons at Pastry Photo Shoot
DrJays.com Blog brings word of Vanessa and Angela Simmons with a video of their Pastry shoes photo shoot for the Cake Collection and news that they are joining DrJay's Summer Sensations campaign.
Alex Naswari, the owner of A&A Jewelers in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts who is sometimes known as Lex Diamond, is riding bling culture to the bank with a high end line of watches out soon:
The Lex Diamond watches, as the line is called, will be available around the world in July, starting at $43,000.
Naswari is known for his attention to detail and abundance of diamonds:
Each of Mr. Naswari’s creations are handmade with Swiss movement and an average of 1,000 diamonds. He hand picks the gems from the diamond district in New York, and combines them with rubies and sapphires. Each Lex is unique and takes about a week to produce. Each is personalized with a serial number and a certificate of ownership, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Lex is also hip to concerns about diamond production:
Ten percent of all sales from the Lex Diamonds line will go to Oxfam, an international organization that, among other humanitarian efforts, aids exploited diamond miners in Africa.
“I only buy non-conflict diamonds,” the jeweler says, referring to the illicit business of selling gems to fund civil wars in Africa. “I deal only with reputable dealers who have been established for many years.
Not surprisingly, hip hop celebrities are his best marketing partners:
Among his patrons are such hip-hop celebrities as Snoop Dogg, Big Tigger, The Game, The Archbishop Don “Magic” Juan and Michael “Mad Dog” Martin of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride.” Under a product placement agreement, celebrities will wear Mr. Naswari’s signature watches to public events to gain maximum exposure for the jeweler’s craft...
Meeting the giants of hip-hop was an eye-opening experience for Mr. Naswari. He says the reality of these stars is often different from the way they are portrayed in the media.
“They’re all really nice guys,” he says. “They have so much knowledge. ... Once you get to know them, they’re very intelligent businessmen who invest their money wisely.”
No word from Raekwon is currently available.
DrJays.com's Summer Sensations Graphic
DrJays.com launches their Summer Sensations campaign featuring a variety of young stars including Serius Jones and Drumma Boy.
Since Slav Kandyba is in Vegas covering MAGIC, I want to point out this great piece about the fashion trade show at Format Magazine that focuses on streetwear at MAGIC.
Yung Joc, Wood Harris, Coltrane Curtis, and Lyfe Jennings sport Established 1971 Collection (L-R). (PRNewsFoto/The Rockport Company)
The Rockport Company is launching a national ad campaign in the spring for its Established 1971 collection featuring "R&B sensation Lyfe Jennings; acclaimed actor, Wood Harris; rising hip-hop artist, Yung Joc; and MTV television personality, Coltrane Curtis":
Set in Miami, the ad campaign, expanding Rockport's Differences Inside theme, will highlight the versatility and breadth of the Established 1971 collection by showcasing the distinct personality and style of each celebrity...In addition to appearing in the ad campaign, the featured celebrities will participate in special Established 1971 events in designated local markets.
Official Site:
Rockport
Timberland's special designer line of boots had a debut party in New York yesterday. The Boroughs Project features 5 boots by 5 designers representing NY's 5 boroughs [555!?!] including The RZA for Staten Island.
Paul Wall, Johnny Dang and Kids in Kono [Credit: Irena Mihova]
VH1's Rock Doc Bling'd: Blood, Diamonds and Hip Hop is coming Thursday, February 22nd with Paul Wall, Johnny "the Jeweler" Dang, Raekwon and Tego Calderon offering a record of their trip to Sierra Leone. Included are lots of interviews with folks Stateside such as Kanye West on the topic of conflict diamonds and hip hop.
To some degree this documentary can be looked at as an update of the flick Blood Diamond in the context of rap music's worship of diamonds. But it also represents a much different approach for Paul Wall and Johnny as businessmen in the jewelry biz than that taken by Russell Simmons.
Related ProHipHop Coverage:
2006's Unfinished Agenda: Truth, Justice & Diamonds
Nas - Shine on Em (Blood Diamonds)
There are so many things I didn't get to this year that may or may not be addressed in 2007. In particular, I'm disappointed not to have done more with Russell Simmons' Blood Diamond Campaign, though I imagine there's more to come.
Note to Russell Simmons:
Bottom line, don't tell us the Kimberley Process is working well enough and it's all good since you're trying to do positive things in Africa. Show us how you're not only complying with the Kimberley Process but also how you're working to make it 100% effective. Join with all the major human rights organizations who say that the Kimberley Process is not fully effective. Maybe then we won't be looking so closely at the recent past revealed in the movie Blood Diamond to the not so long ago past and DeBeers' complicity in apartheid.
Nobody wants that. Except for the survivors and the freedom fighters, of course!
Note to Ben Chavis:
You were once a mighty figure. Please come back!
Note to Self:
You really should have written about 2006 as the Year of the Pig and done more to encourage the legalization of marijuana.
Following are some excellent responses and resources on the issue of conflict diamonds and Russell Simmons' apologetics for the diamond industry.
Hip hop writers respond to Russell Simmons
Annansi Chronicles:
African diamond facts according to Russell Simmons
The Couch Sessions:
Russell Simmons Fronts For DeBeers
Davey D:
Bad Blood, Blood Diamonds & Why I Disagree w/ Russell
The Rap Up:
Hip-Hop Is Dead
Notes from a Different Kitchen:
Why is Russell Simmons...
Basic resources related to conflict diamonds
Reuters AlertNet:
Diamonds and resource wars
Global Witness:
Combating Conflict Diamonds
Authors of Bling: The Hip-Hop Book:
Interview w/Reggie Oso and Gabriel Tolliver
Related Issue:
No Dirty Gold
Special thanks to Kofi Annan and Gabriel Tolliver for being in touch and sharing resources.
Previous ProHipHop Coverage:
Russell Simmons Helps Diamond Industry Get Ahead Of Leonardo DiCaprio's Blood Diamond Flick
After writing about a commercial for the Kenpo iPod jacket I was contacted by a marketing rep and offered a review copy. I accepted a Bonded Fleece Jacket that I've been wearing on occasion and finding it to be a comfortable garment.
I tried out the iPod control functions with the help of a friend in high school who's very into gadgets of all kinds. Unfortunately, the controls on this one fired up momentarily and then went dead. Fortunately, Jake Ludington reviewed one of the jackets and had a much better experience with the tech end. He also conducted more thorough tests in varying weather conditions.
What I was most struck by was young men's reactions to the jacket. The holidays gave me a chance to get responses from various relatives and kids of friends and I found that young men in high school and college (within my limited sample) consistently loved the idea of the jacket and liked what they saw.
I'd suggest checking out the jackets at a department store if this kind of thing interests you. Due to mine not working, I'm thinking it might be better to buy offline where it's easier to exchange.
One suggestion from Dorian Dancy-Jones is to put the iPod dial on the sleeve. Along with Ludington's review, which points out that the jacket has the same problem as iPod remotes, no menu to see what's ahead, I think that the fashion/tech scene has plenty of room for development and will be an increasingly interesting space to watch.
Official sites:
Kenpo Jacket for iPod
Kenpo Jacket at MySpace
Common Explains Gap Ad Lyrics
Here's a great little interview with Common from B.Kyle who I assume is the director and interviewer from the credits but B. makes it hard to know him, if you don't know him already.
In any case, it's Common during the filming of American Gangster dictating the lyrics live to his [rather saucy in a good way] assistant and explaining how he took a few bits of info from The Gap and came up with a rap that reflected his own concerns and values.
It also contains answers to questions asked by readers responding to the ads.
Answers received:
Dave Champipple is a way of playing with Dave Chappelle's name and Champipple is a term for champagne used in Chicago [minus Fred Sanford's addition of Ripple].
He says "peace love and Gap" not "peace love The Gap".
When Common says,
"I seen peace in the hood when I stopped in the hood",
he says it's a way of speaking peace into existence since hip hop is already alive in the hood.
Thanks to Qt for the tip!
Damon Dash is launching a new clothing line called CEO that will feature a "cleaner and mature look". Dame makes it clear that this won't reflect his own style of dress but will fit current fashion trends that he doesn't actually represent. Think "couture" and "higher-end price points".
It's kind of an interesting way to keep it real, clarifying that he's not switching his own style, while at the same time responding to the marketplace.
He's also planning a PRO-Keds clothing line for easier color matching.
The Simmons Jewelry Company's fact-finding mission's report on diamond mining and related operations in South Africa and Botswana, conducted at the "invitation" of the Diamond Information Center, is well-timed to get ahead of Friday's release of Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The creation of a non-profit, the Diamond Empowerment Fund with a trademarked D.E.F., and of a fundraising product, Green Initiatives jewelry, nicely ties together such efforts by establishing a long-term platform for good works and good pr.
For some reason, the U.S. government is also worried about Blood Diamond and I'm very curious about their concern. It seems to go a bit beyond protection of U.S. business interests.
In any case, the film will definitely stir up a lot of interest in the history of conflict diamonds and the complicity of current operations in that history, from jewelry companies to national governments, especially among that all important diamond buying demographic, Ladies That Love Leonardo or L.T.L.L.(@).
Of course, except for folks in hip hop who are making money in jewelry, hip hop artists have already successfully insulated themselves from such concerns by repeatedly verifying that "it's all about the Benjamins" while building Bling Nation.
The press release says they're dropping something on YouTube but I couldn't find it. I'm also guessing on the web address of the Diamond Information Center. I'll update.
Related Coverage:
The Boston Globe takes a closer look at the controversy and other industry responses.
Update:
Ok, that above link to the Diamond Information Center is correct and, according to Sekita Ekrek of the DIC, is funded by Diamond Trading Company, the "sales and marketing arm of the De Beers Group".
Here's the Simmons' trip to Africa YouTube video. Oddly enough, though someone has created a RUSHphilanthropic channel and posted a comment as Russell Simmons on the posted video, it was actually posted by 51geelock51 whose other contribution to YouTube is a selection of random pirated tv clips.
There are some mildly deceptive elements here but they aren't clearcut and the PR rep for the DIC does seem to be answering my questions in a straightforward manner so far so I'm not going to assume that this campaign is similar to the Armand charade.
In fact, the story seems to be that DeBeers got Russell Simmons, who has a jewelry company, to go be the frontman for what will be a very difficult campaign.
That's quite a legitimate role but various odd details make it appear as if they're trying to cover their tracks a bit. I'll come back to this in a separate post because I think some of the criticisms directed at Russell are actually unfair, especially when describing him as a diamond industry pawn. He's a participant, not a pawn.
Final Update:
I'll hold other info for a followup but I wanted to clarify here that I did contact the folks at Rush Philanthropic and they clarified that they had approved the YouTube activity though I don't have further details. It really isn't looking like deception so much as poor exection of an initial appearance on YouTube.
I'll come back with a closer look at this campaign and the reason why I consider it a lost opportunity for companies in the diamond industry who are willing to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.
Further ProHipHop Coverage:
2006's Unfinished Agenda: Truth, Justice & Diamonds
Parish Clothing Models
Lost in the whirlwind of ProHipHop activity focused on Jay-Z this month was coverage of the launch of the Parish Clothing Co.'s menswear line in New York on November 8th sponsored by Smirnoff Vodka.
Jacky Lee, Big Daddy Kane, Tony Shellman and The Retro Kids
What really caught my attention was the event's focus on the 80s and the attendance of the Retro Kids who aren't in costume, they're just fly like that! The Retro Kids are also "negotiating with Pro Keds to appear at special events and in an ad campaign."
Mele Mel Rocking Pink
The event space itself was 80s themed and featured folks like Big Daddy Kane and Marly Marl, according to the press release:
The chic loft was transformed into a a typical NYC home in the 1980's, complete with Breakfast Club posters, guests in 80's attire lounging on beds watching "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and refrigerators were stocked with Olde English 800 "forties." The highlight of the evening was an impromptu performance by legendary MC Big Daddy Kane, while Marly Marl spun his classic "Warm It Up Kane" and Crazy Legs from Rock Steady Crew performed, making revelers feel like they were in a scene from Krush Groove and Breakin'. Guests enjoyed Smirnoff cocktails and epicurean delicacies by Creative Edge Parties while Legendary DJ's Marly Marl, Clark Kent, Q-Tip and Sky Nellor set the soundtrack for the evening making it impossible for every celebrity, tastemaker, mogul and fashionista to sit down! Guests were treated to gift bags which included Parish apparel and the Totally 80's Edition of Trivial Pursuit.
I truly expect to see much more of this kind of thing in the future. Big ups to Parish Clothing for getting in on the early days of the 80s hip hop revival.
Common in Gap's "Peace Love Gap" Commercial
Related Coverage
Common's Peace Love Gap Commercial Inspires Question:
"Who is Dave Champipple?"
Common makes things clear:
Common On Gap Ad Lyrics, Dave Champipple, Seeing Peace In The Hood
Common continues his work with the Gap while Bow Wow signs on, at least for the Christmas season Holiday In Your Hood print campaign featuring Gap hoodies, along with a bunch of other stars who will remain unmentioned here.
Common for Holiday In Your Hood Campaign
Though not visible in these pics of Common and Bow Wow, according to the press release:
The ads are tagged 'peace love gap' and each campaign image has a corresponding message such as believe in your hood, together in your hood and reflect in your hood. With a gold peace symbol prominently featured throughout the print campaign, the images remind us of the powerful message peace brings during the holidays.
The print ad campaign, which was developed by Gap's creative agency Laird + Partners, will run in December issues of publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, Allure, Glamour, Lucky and Rolling Stone. The campaign also includes outdoor elements such as billboards and bus shelters in select markets.
Bow Wow for Holiday In Your Hood Campaign
To be honest I haven't found these pics that inspiring and I'm almost wondering if they slipped somebody else in Bow Wow's place. Guess it's been a while since I've stopped and looked at a picture of him.
Mary J. Blige for Gap (RED) Campaign
Actually, the only interesting image I've seen from The Gap in a while is this photo of Mary J. Blige for The Gap's participation in the (PRODUCT)RED campaign. It's a beautiful photograph with feeling that manages to be a slick image at the same time. Which says a lot about Blige's presence in comparison to the other celebs in that campaign.
In addition to the print campaign, Common also wrote the Holiday In Your Hood theme song that will appear in commercials:
The holiday TV advertising is comprised of two 30-second spots
featuring musician and actor Common rapping "Holiday In Your Hood," an
original song he wrote especially for the campaign. Common's remake was
produced by Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and the lyrics are set to
"Holiday," the song made famous by Madonna.
Graphic for DMX & DMX Signature Collections
In fall 2007, DMX is coming out with the DMX and DMX Signature collections that will include "designer apparel, headwear, outerwear, footwear and accessories" produced in "various groupings of denims, leathers, cottons, twills, canvas, knits, fleece and other durable fabrics imported from Italy, Japan, France and London as well as fabrics made in the USA."
I'll have to say I'm curious about the clothes but the above graphic that was included with the press release makes me wonder exactly what demographic they're targeting.
In any case, I'm extra curious about the design implications of the following pr statement:
His penchant for secret pockets and durable gear reflect his over-the-edge lifestyle. Dangerous grounds warrant reliable clothing.
Yes, DMX-style "secret pockets" sound like a true differentiating factor!
Animal lovers may also look forward to the eventual appearance of a DMX "apparel collection for dogs".
I'm as outraged as anyone by the glorification of coke and crack dealers, but I still like this Snow Business t-shirt.
Via better than yours.
Woo Agency has created a "music video-style commercial" for the Kenpo Jacket for iPod with a modified form of breakdance battling and a closing moment with a solo dancer.
You can find both versions at the Woo Agency in the Woo News section. No direct link available. The longer version is better.
The commercials were "directed by Shawn Pillar, producer/director of TNT's 'The Dead Zone' and 'Wildfire'... with music by Miami-based rapper and producer Nacho Typical."
After you're done waiting for the quite lovely Woo Agency site to load, you can then wait for the hip and high energy Kenpo Fashion site to load.
Interesting post at Counterfeit Chic regarding the Black Style Exhibit in New York and the example of Dapper Dan who "created customized high-end products that incorporated highly recognizable accessory logos like those of Gucci and Louis Vuitton".
Due to time considerations constraining my desire to add visuals to today's editon of ProHipHop, I haven't actually looked at the following videos related to hip hop fashion all the way through. I'm just taking Eskay's word that they're worth sharing.
Photoshoot For LRG Fall Fashions, Pt. 1
I have no idea when this was actually shot.
Photoshoot For LRG Fall Fashions, Pt. 2
But not everyone enjoys hip hop fashion:
Hip Hop Clothes Are Omnipresent And The Black Album Is Satanic
Enjoy!
Sub-Urban Brands has announced an interesting cross-promotion with EMI Music Publishing that involves attaching a "unique digital "hang tag" to thousands of Sub-Urban's clothing products [their WHITEBOY line, I'm assuming] currently shipping to retailers. The hang tags contain a mini-DVD for computers, which connects customers to Sub-Urban's various online marketing initiatives. The interactive DVD's contents includes free music downloads, opportunities for additional shopping and other online links to Company sites."
Chingy is included in the current crop of free downloads.
Sub-Urban Brands fashion line: WHITEBOY
Sub-Urban Brands Investor Information
I want to follow up on my previous Starbury One post with a few quick notes starting with the press release.
Though the focus has been on the shoes, the Starbury Collection includes almost fifty "items for men and boys, including jackets, jeans, hoodies, tshirts, athletic tops and shorts, lifestyle and performance sneakers, work boots, hats and other accessories" with most items priced at $10 or less.
But it's the shoes that have caught everyone's attention. Stephon Marbury's claim that he will wear Starbury One's in the upcoming NBA season remains one of the biggest marketing angles that will make a crucial difference in the longevity of the collection.
Speaking of marketing, Erin Patton who's heading up the Starbury One marketing campaign for The Mastermind Group was "director of the Jordan Brand at Nike for five years".
In addition, "Marbury's marketing representatives, Jordan Bazant and Peter Raskin of The Agency Management, and urban marketing agency The Run Group" were involved with developing the collection.
I haven't seen much on initial sales of the Starbury One but Lang Whitaker, who attended a launch party at Manhattan Mall, also passed along reports of first day sales action including this:
I just got word that when the Steve and Barry’s store in Manhattan Mall opened this morning, there were about 500 people in line outside the store. The people came charging in when the doors opened, and the store completely sold out of Steph’s shoes. Really. They were bringing in shoes from the back, people kept coming in to get their kicks, and even the actual Steve and Barry were having to work the registers to help get people through there.
Via adfreak.
I can't help but wonder who passed along that glowing report.
In any case, I missed out on all the release day excitement because there are no Steve & Barry's in my neck of the woods. That's a big limit on what the Starbury Collection can do but, then again, it seems like a proposition in which both Stephon Marbury and Steve & Barry's are building together.
Official site: Starbury.com
I know almost nothing about the new fashion social network called second chance fashion beyond what I've read in the press release but it sounds like an interesting opportunity for up and coming designers to network and market themselves within the industry.
As the site says:
Our mission is to create more opportunity for new fashion designers, artists and small businesses in the fashion industry.
The first time I saw this NY Times Magazine piece on The Brand Underground, I didn't get far enough in to realize that street wear company The Hundreds is a big part of the story once you hit page 3 or, better, page 6:
When I saw Ben and Bobby with their collection at Magic, the trade show in Las Vegas, they had just taken the bar exam. Their parents — who wanted their kids to take advantage of the American-dream opportunities offered by a good education — were disheartened that the Hundreds was looking less and less like a phase. Of course, to Ben and Bobby, the Hundreds is the American dream. . .
A few months later, they got the official word: they had both flunked the bar. Ben sent out the specs for the spring ’06 line; orders climbed to 4,500 shirts. “We never have to grow up,” Bobby said.
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