#oriental owned streetwear brands

[dippedanddripped]

CLOT x THE NORTH FACE COLORED BY NATURE

CLOT is pleased to announce its first collaboration with the world-renowned outdoor sportswear expert The North Face. Seeing outdoor exploration as our dialogue with Mother Earth, the brands take us through the mountains and towards the misty peaks, introducing a collection that brings together elements of nature and stylistic aesthetics that aim to add colors to your journey.

“The core person that I am, it hasn't really changed over time, but my curiosities have, what gives me a successful feeling has. My mindset is actually exploration. Allowing yourself to see new things, allowing yourself to experience with clouds, sunset and sunrises, is a story that I've never told. I feel like The North Face was the perfect conduit for that story to be expressed,” shared Edison Chen, Founder and Creative Director of CLOT.

Reshaping outdoor wear with eminent style, the collaboration delivers a perfect combination of design and functionality. Nature-inspired elements encountered along the journey are translated through colors with hints of oriental charm, topped with technologically enhanced materials and creative layering ideas for maximized practicality. Edison Chen has also invited fashion designer Kazuki Kuraishi to participate in the project, integrating his unique fashion understanding into The North Face's outdoor pieces, creating more possibilities for outdoor wear.

“When I design, I normally think about the details first. I don't think too much about the concept, but Edison does. That's why we work together. I always think of good design as it is, but even beautiful design needs good function,” explained Kazuki Kuraishi, Fashion Designer.

EXPLORE THE COLORS OF NATURE,

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA AND THE CLOUDS

Taking in the beautiful colors of nature while trekking through the mountains, The North Face and CLOT have put together a collection featuring captivating landscapes and sensual gradients. This new collaboration features a breathtaking sea of clouds above mountaintops, along with natural shades of lunar slate to lupine, reef waters, and macchiato for a unique aesthetic.

Thanks to DRYVENT technology, the CLOT x The North Face Shell Jacket features an all-over cloud print, topped with color-blocking sleeves and side seams to create a stylish outdoor look. Meanwhile, the new waterproof Poncho can be adjusted with the hidden buttons on the hem, ensuring a perfect fit. In addition to outerwear, the extensive The CLOT x The North Face collection also includes Fleece Pullovers in different colorways, each with a detachable hood and Chinese button knots signature to CLOT. Wear it with the matching Fleece Pants for extra warmth and comfort. Crafted from translucent materials, the Shell Pullover comes with a detachable hood and diagonal placket, designed for laying over the Fleece Pullover. All jackets can be styled with translucent Shell Pants or Fleece Pants for a solid look.

PERFECT YOUR LOOK

WITH ACCESSORIES OF COLORS

Discover the hidden gems in the mountains and cherish every moment. CLOT and The North Face have expanded their creative offerings to a range of accessories and footwear, so you can coordinate your outfits from head to toe. With a mesmerizing sea of clouds print, the Camping Blanket is made of heat-retaining fabric to protect against sudden temperature changes. Thanks to The North Face’s patented VECTIV™ and FUTURELIGHT™ waterproof technology, along with the high-traction SurfaceCTRL™ outsole, the VECTIV™ TARAVAL hiking shoe can provide exceptional stability and drive on any terrain. The collection also includes the ThermoBall™ Traction Mules and other outdoor-dedicated footwear, creating more possibilities for all kinds of exploration.

SPICE UP FAMILY TRAVEL WITH

CHILDRENSWEAR COLORED BY NATURE

The CLOT x The North Face collection also debuts with childrenswear, offering more options to fashion and outdoor-loving families. From Shell Jackets to Fleece Pullovers and Fleece Pants, these children's dedicated creations present little explorers with a piece of the ingenious design and care of the collection.

The CLOT x The North Face collection is set to pre-release at select JUICE selling doors on February 23, 2023, opening a new chapter in the combination of artistic expression and outdoor functionality.

[dumplingtrait]

lamar mills // for @theosconfessions's love is embarrassing bc

✧ twenty-five, heterosexual, san myshuno ✧ ambitious, family-orientated, creative ✧ charisma 4, entrepreneur 5, knitting 2

from humble beginnings, lamar grew up in a big close-knit family. born and raised in san myshuno, he dreams of seeing the world but knows he'll always come back to his city.

while he is laid back and easygoing, he is highly driven and isn’t the type to waste time. as a rising name in the creative industry, lamar owns a high-end streetwear brand and is determined to become someone that's hard to forget.

✧ family matters a lot to lamar and a big motivation for success is to be able to support his family.

✧ lamar’s brand, la mare, is recognised for blending elements of luxury fashion with a laidback and urban style. influenced by fear of god, ambush, and yeezy. 

✧ when researching for his brand, experimenting with textures and fabrics, lamar discovered a quiet love of knitting. he does it in his spare time and plans on incorporating it into his next collection. 

[xsulsulnooboo]

New sims townies ideas

1. Amara Vasquez

• Aesthetic: Bohemian

• Traits: Loves Outdoors, Creative, Cheerful

• Aspiration: Freelance Botanist (Gardener)

• Origin: Mexico

• Appearance: Wears flowy, earth-toned clothes, lots of handmade jewelry, and has long, wavy black hair. She has a warm, glowing complexion and often walks barefoot.

• Backstory: Amara was born in a small town in Mexico, surrounded by nature and wildflowers.

She spent her childhood outdoors, fascinated by plants and their healing properties. Now, she lives in a cozy home with a wild garden in the city, making her own herbal remedies. Amara's dream is to open an apothecary shop and teach others about natural healing.

2. Sakura Tanaka

• Aesthetic: Cyberpunk

• Traits: Genius, Ambitious, Loner

• Aspiration: Chief of Mischief

• Origin: Japan

• Appearance: Sakura has neon-colored hair (often pink or blue), sharp makeup, and futuristic, tech-inspired clothing. She's lean with a cool, detached vibe, always wearing a headset or high-tech accessories.

• Backstory: Born in Tokyo, Sakura was always fascinated by technology. She became a top hacker in the underground scene, making a name for herself in the virtual world. Despite her rebellious streak, Sakura's main goal is to fight corruption in the corporate world, though she's willing to bend the rules to do so.

3. Mia Rossi

• Aesthetic: High Fashion / Chic

• Traits: Snob, Self-Assured, Perfectionist

• Aspiration: World-Famous Celebrity

• Origin: Italy

• Appearance: Mia has flawless skin, sharp cheekbones, and always wears the latest fashion trends. She prefers sleek, form-fitting dresses, bold makeup, and high heels, with platinum blonde hair styled to perfection.

• Backstory: Raised in Milan, Italy, Mia always dreamed of the runway. She worked hard to climb the fashion industry ladder, and now she's a well-known model and fashion icon. Mia is driven by fame and success, but she also has a secret passion for designing her own clothing line.

4. Aisha Carter

• Aesthetic: Athletic / Streetwear

• Traits: Active, Bro, Outgoing

• Aspiration: Bodybuilder

• Origin: USA (Atlanta)

• Appearance: Athletic build, muscular arms, and legs. She wears stylish athletic gear, often in bold colors, with her hair in braids or a high ponytail. Her style is a mix of streetwear and gym clothes.

• Backstory: Growing up in Atlanta, Aisha was always into sports. She played basketball in high school and eventually became a personal trainer.

Her goal is to open her own gym and inspire young women to embrace fitness and strength. Aisha is all about community and often organizes local sports events.

5. Leonardo "Leo" De Luca

• Aesthetic: Classic Italian / Sophisticated

• Traits: Romantic, Family-Oriented, Ambitious

• Aspiration: Successful Lineage

• Origin: Italy

• Appearance: Slicked-back dark brown hair, a well-groomed beard, and sharp, tailored suits. He exudes confidence and style, often accessorizing with watches and leather shoes.

• Backstory: Born into a wealthy family in Florence, Italy, Leonardo grew up appreciating fine art, good food, and family values. Now a successful businessman, he balances his corporate life with a deep desire to build a close-knit family of his own.

He dreams of being a role model for his future children, passing down his love for culture and tradition.

6. Jamal Thompson

• Aesthetic: Hip Hop / Urban Streetwear

• Traits: Music Lover, Creative, Outgoing

• Aspiration: Musical Genius

• Origin: USA (Brooklyn)

• Appearance: Jamal has dreadlocks, wears oversized hoodies, gold chains, and streetwear brands. He has a laid-back, cool demeanor, with tattoos that reflect his artistic and cultural roots.

• Backstory: Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jamal always had a deep connection with hip-hop culture. He began writing rap lyrics and producing beats as a teen, inspired by the rhythm of city life.

His dream is to become a world-famous rapper and producer, using his music to inspire and tell stories from his community.

7. Bjorn Eriksen

• Aesthetic: Outdoorsy / Adventurer

• Traits: Loves Outdoors, Active, Loner

• Aspiration: Outdoor Enthusiast

• Origin: Norway

• Appearance: Tall and muscular with a rugged, weathered look. He has a beard and long blonde hair tied in a bun, often wearing practical outdoor gear like flannel shirts, cargo pants, and hiking boots.

• Backstory: Bjorn grew up in the rugged landscapes of Norway, where he learned to appreciate the power and beauty of nature. He's an avid hiker, fisher, and survivalist, often disappearing into the mountains for days at a time.

Bjorn prefers solitude and is happiest when he's surrounded by forests, lakes, and wildlife. His dream is to travel the world and conquer every major mountain.

8. Ethan Park

• Aesthetic: Tech-Savvy / Modern Geek

• Traits: Genius, Geek, Ambitious

• Aspiration: Computer Whiz

• Origin: South Korea

• Appearance: Wears graphic t-shirts, hoodies, and glasses. He has short, neatly styled black hair, and he's always carrying a laptop or some sort of gadget. He has a casual, nerdy look, but with a sharp edge when it comes to his work.

• Backstory: Ethan was born in Seoul, South Korea, but moved to Silicon Valley to pursue his dream of working in the tech industry. A programming prodigy, he's working on a start-up that he hopes will revolutionize the gaming world. Though he's a bit socially awkward, Ethan is determined to become a leading tech innovator, while staying connected to his geeky hobbies like gaming and comic books.

[stelaernis]

let us hear your thoughts about sága's tastes in fashion huhu i'm aware of a few, but what do they like to wear as brand / style in general ? same question for norio if possible u-u

⋯ ✦ ad soluumis.

this might get preposterously long, i am a fashion enthusiast after all huhu ~ ✦ sága. reflecting my real life wardrobes and tastes; sága leans to extremely minimalistic elegant; couture & high end fashion with dainty jewelry to accompany. whether it be leisure, sleek chic, or streetwear, they are all uniform in these specific themes. they tend to not like patterns or textures, and prefer soft, stretchy, movable fabric. they also wear a lot of sheer organza !! turtlecks, sheer bows, and bodysuits are especially worn. there are certain skeletal / cold / ' naked ' aspects to their overall fit. despite the enthusiasm on design as a whole, sága also has the mentality of ' the less cloth, the freer '. hence will never wear too much cloth. we do not speak of jeans / hisses / true to their own brand, wear is monochrome with the very subtle exceptions. the choice in ornamentals leans heavily to gold, crystalline and pearlescent. thin circular, stelliferous & wreaths are always seen. there is an abundance of brands that are adored, but a few of them have especially been of astronomical influence. ⋯ ✦ dolce & gabbana · ralph & russo · balenciaga · heron preston · calvin klein · blvck · prada · gucci · vercace

✦ norio. norio shares a plethora of similar themes to sága / me despite not being of the same dreams & thoughts. ie. leaning to the minimalistic elegant & high end fashion, and the duality of ' eikyuu ' vs ' hakanai ' palettes. but norio tends to be slightly more adventurous or specific orientated in his execution such as actually modeling and being a stellar figure. there is fondness for all things beautiful, and norio breaks gender norms if he so pleases. he indulges in a variety of fits, both feminine and masculine. preferring less textured, softer and stretchy movable fabrics / especially due to his work / but capable of wearing them casually. somewhat a mix of traditional and the timeless, classic novel couture, almost regal at times with japanese themes present in all. norio wears a lot of suits that have been tailored specifically to compliment longer sleeves ie. kimono or haori inspired. at the same time, he also adorns harnesses and belts to some extent, often when in dress blouses. minimal embroidered simplistic patterns at times, often the work of his wife's. a repeating motif that will be seen is also rope / string, alluding to the red string of fate or lycoris. circular and golden jewelry ! subtle motifs referring to a shadowed sun as his core icon.

[citronsucre]

retournement de veste !

     All the kpop idols being invited to fashion events and becoming houses ambassadors made me think about how fashion luxury houses are so fast to turn around and try to seduce a public they used to turn their backs to. In fact, these companies have always wanted to dissociate themselves with certain groups and figures. The Kardashians are a great example of this phenomenon, luxury houses didn’t really want anything to do with them until Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing took an interest in the family.

   In France, owning luxury items is popular in urban areas leading to a love and hate relationship between fashion houses and these populations that don’t fit the image of said houses. The derogatory, racist and classist term “Lacoste TN” designate young black and north African men living in urban areas dressing in Lacoste tracksuits with AirMax TN sneakers. The term is widely known and shows the popularity of this style mixing streetwear and luxury. Unfortunately for these houses, this is not the lifestyle and outdoor activities they are trying to promote :(  The luxury tennis outfit oriented brand Lacoste especially, whose popularity in the suburbs is incredible, has been vocal about not wanting to associate with this group. Eventually, with them playing quite a large part in Lacoste’s sales in France, the house ended collaborating with french rapper Moha La Squale. 

   France is not the first country encountering this behavior. Actually, the popularization of streetwear, monogram, sneakers and chunky jewelry in luxury is due to the African American community in neighborhoods of New York and Hip Hop music. Dapper Dan was an amazing designer from Harlem, is influence on black music and the style associated with it is huge. His work at first consisted of creating knock-offs of luxury items and playing around with logos. That is how the monogram print was popularized. Luxury houses which excluded black people, did not want to be associated with them or their music, called their style tacky, ghetto or ratchet started reappropriating these creations and selling them to white rich people in the suburbs. 

   When European luxury houses first made their first steps into Asia, whiteness and the Parisian style was the goal. Boarding school uniform inspired preppy was in vogue in Japan starting from the 1960′s. I have always found it odd how 30 years later, with the rise of Harajuku fashion and the popularity of streetstyle photography magazine FRUiTS, these brands never tried to collaborate or work with young Japanese artists. It was maybe too tacky for them, too out of pocket or too “street” since it seems like it is a global problem. So it is funny now to see how Heavn by Marc Jacobs collaborated with FRUiTS Magazine’s photographer Shoichi Aoki and tried to mimic an aesthetic by watering down alternative asian fashion culture and manufacturing it to sell it to the mass while the whole purpose of the movement was to protest against social norms by being unique and creating unique in the world pieces mixing traditional and modern clothing. I am not trying to say i hate the brand, I actually liked it at first, I am juste a girl in my twenties who likes asian fashion so of course I liked it. But when thinking about it, nothing new has been created, everything they sell is already available on the market. It just caters down to mass consumerism and the “weird girl aesthetic” that for some reason makes me think of the manic pixie dream girl except it is fashion. 

   Now with the influence of Korean culture you know they had to ! Houses will go out of their way to have at least one Korean celebrity sit at their show, idols being the golden ticket. Even if this is not new and even if I am glad artists get this opportunity, I find it sad and sometimes reducing to invite pretty faces instead of actually working with them on interesting projects, especially since South Korea is a buzzing spot for emerging designers and small artists. It is like non white people have two options: be excluded or be a totem. 

(if you want to know more about Heavn i suggest you watch this video ! it is really interesting and i agree with everything being said)

[clostxxx]

Review of the best brands of men's sportswear

When it comes to men's sportswear, several brands stand out for their quality, performance, and style. Here’s a review of some of the best brands:

1. Nike

Strengths: Known for innovative designs, high performance, and a wide range of products from shoes to apparel.

Popular Products: Nike Air running shoes, Dri-FIT clothing, Pro Combat compression gear.

Notable Features: Advanced technology like Flyknit and Air Max, extensive range of sports-specific gear.

2. Adidas

Strengths: Blends performance with style, strong focus on sustainability.

Popular Products: Ultraboost running shoes, ClimaCool and Climalite apparel, Predator soccer cleats.

Notable Features: Boost cushioning technology, Primeknit material, collaboration with Parley for the Oceans for sustainable products.

3. Under Armour

Strengths: High-quality performance gear, excellent for moisture-wicking and temperature control.

Popular Products: HeatGear and ColdGear clothing lines, UA HOVR running shoes, Project Rock collection.

Notable Features: Innovative fabric technologies, strong presence in fitness and training gear.

4. Puma

Strengths: Combines athletic performance with modern streetwear style.

Popular Products: Puma Suede sneakers, Evoknit apparel, football (soccer) boots.

Notable Features: Fusion of sport and fashion, collaborations with designers and celebrities.

5. Reebok

Strengths: Focuses on fitness and CrossFit communities, durable and functional gear.

Popular Products: Nano CrossFit shoes, Floatride running shoes, classic Reebok tracksuits.

Notable Features: CrossFit-specific designs, emphasis on functionality and durability.

6. ASICS

Strengths: Renowned for running shoes and performance-oriented apparel.

Popular Products: Gel-Kayano and Gel-Nimbus running shoes, ASICS Lite-Show apparel.

Notable Features: Gel cushioning system, focus on stability and support, extensive research and development.

7. New Balance

Strengths: Known for comfortable and supportive running shoes, wide range of sizes and widths.

Popular Products: Fresh Foam running shoes, 990 series, training and walking shoes.

Notable Features: Emphasis on fit and comfort, Made in USA and UK collections, balance of cushioning and stability.

8. Lululemon

Strengths: Premium quality activewear, excellent for yoga and training.

Popular Products: ABC pants, Metal Vent Tech shirts, Surge running shorts.

Notable Features: High-performance fabrics, stylish and versatile designs, focus on both form and function.

9. Columbia

Strengths: Specializes in outdoor and sportswear, excellent for outdoor activities and adventure sports.

Popular Products: Omni-Heat jackets, PFG (Performance Fishing Gear) collection, hiking boots.

Notable Features: Innovative technologies for weather resistance, durability in harsh conditions, functional designs for outdoor activities.

10. Patagonia

Strengths: High-quality outdoor and sportswear with a strong focus on environmental sustainability.

Popular Products: R1 fleece jackets, Capilene base layers, Houdini windbreakers.

Notable Features: Eco-friendly materials, commitment to environmental causes, durable and versatile products.

11. The North Face

Strengths: Excellent for outdoor and extreme sports, high-quality and durable products.

Popular Products: Denali fleece jackets, ThermoBall insulated jackets, Venture waterproof jackets.

Notable Features: Advanced insulation and waterproof technologies, rugged designs for outdoor adventures, lifetime warranty on many products.

Conclusion

Each brand offers its own unique strengths and specializations, making them suitable for different types of activities and personal preferences. Whether you’re looking for high-performance running shoes, stylish gym apparel, or durable outdoor gear, these brands provide reliable options to meet your needs.

[lizseyi]

December Means The Season Of The Fashion Pop-Up In London – Skywire London

Even our own digital strategy experts here at Skywire London appreciate that there will always be a role for the “brick and mortar” element of fashion marketing. Indeed, as keen watchers of all things style in the UK capital, we have also noticed a variety of fashion-oriented pop-up stores coming on stream for this festive season. 

Only a few days ago, in fact, further details were provided by the circular fashion portal Depop about a scheme it had earlier announced with the aim of getting online sellers into physical spaces. 

‍“Reviving the high street for the Christmas party season” 

The Depop initiative, which is happening in partnership with the retail pop-up provider Sook, will entail the launch of a series of high-profile temporary stores over six months. It will encompass such venues as the Birmingham Bullring, Liverpool One, and St James Quarter in Edinburgh, as well as Oxford Street and South Molton Street in London. 

Depop said that the series would begin with four immersive pop-ups in London during November and December, “encouraging more people to shop second hand while reviving the high street for the Christmas party season.” 

The free-to-attend events in London will give 11 distinctive sellers a brick-and-mortar retail presence in Sook’s Central London pop-up spaces. 

The first of those will be the streetwear brand Kathandrosa, which will be present at South Molton Street on 30th November, presenting an edit of handpicked vintage and Y2K pieces. 

As Depop has also observed: “It’s all about encouraging sellers to connect with their fans in real life and reaching new audiences of fashion-conscious consumers in the capital.” 

‍But there’s much more that the London fashion pop-up scene is giving us this season 

This Depop scheme certainly represents one very important side of what pop-up retail activity can make possible – and one that our own digital strategy experts here at Skywire London salute. However, we have also been heartened by the abundance of other pop-ups that have been springing up lately around the capital, as the winter shopping season has intensified. 

Many of those were documented in a recent article for Country & Town House, which put the spotlight on such developments as maverick scarf designer Sabina Savage’s Bond Street pop-up, E.L.V. DENIM at Liberty, Omnes on Carnaby Street, and even a pop-up for pre-loved luxury offerings by eBay. 

A fair few of those pop-ups are continuing to run at the time of us typing this. So, for a tasteful excursion that might also get you inspired about the possibilities for your own fashion, lifestyle, or high-end brand both online and offline over the months and even years ahead, why not make a beeline for one or more of these temporary outlets? 

As for if you would like to more immediately discuss the possibilities for how we could work together, please feel free to do so using our straightforward online contact form. 

[betweentheracks]

LGBTQ+ and Queer Operated/Founded Brands

A composite list of some of the notable brands I have worked with or been in contact with throughout my time as a stylist. Rooted in queer communities, founded by LGBTQ+ designers, and dedicated to pursuing gender inclusive styles as well as providing an uplifting community committed to showcasing the talents of LGBTQ+ persons. A number of these also have a deal of activity in supporting POC or black owned and operated fashion brands and design studios. 

Otherwild: Los Angeles, California. 

Queer identified and woman-owned, Otherwild was established in 2012. It is a store, design studio, and event space. They offer apparel and accessories, as well as lo/no-waste home cleaning products and personal care products. Very grassroots and have a foundation of ethics and sustainability, working in earnest to establish a countercultural relationship to exploitative, extractive, and excessive consumer capitalist culture. They’re quite cost-effective with fair pricing on their range of products.

Rebirth Garments: Chicago, Illinois.

Entirely gender non-conforming, Rebirth Garments caters specifically to all non-binary, trans, and disabled. Their clothing line is custom made upon order, touting a distinct lack of standard sizes since part of their mission and manifesto is to tailor their styles to exactly the consumer’s specifications regardless of body type. Their party line is “Radical Visibility” and have a zine under the same name; their manifesto expressed as a desire to establish and nurture a community of people that have been excluded from mainstream fashion but are still deserving of an outlet to feel confident in expressing pride in the intersections of identity. Their materials are all vibrant and wild, bold and exuberant as a means to challenge the ableist and sizest ideals of mainstream fashions which still centers on gender and binary conforming styles. -- They also offer virtual lessons on accessibility, entrepreneurship, and much more. 

Automic Gold: New York City, New York.

Queer owned and queer operated all inclusive jewelry, Automic Gold promotes their products as the most comfortable and versatile jewelry available. The founder is genderqueer and makes a point to create truly genderless accessories and does so with designs that specifically mix and warp the essence of masculinity and femininity, bringing together that which is both outside and inside to form that which is beyond. Sustainable and eco-friendly, all of their jewelry is made from reclaimed gold and 100% recyclable material. Automic Gold is the only known jeweler that carries rings in sizes 2 to 16 and utilize this point to shade the fashion industry for being so constrained by sizing standards. 

Wildfang:  Los Angeles, California/Portland, Oregon.

Women found, women run, women oriented. Wildfang is seated in the belief that women can and should wear whatever they want and be whatever they want. They give much of their profits to charities and organizations that center on the rights of the oppressed communities, namely queer, reproductive, and immigrant activism. Their collections offer full suits tailored to a female body, workwear made of truly durable materials to outlast even the worst of working conditions, and button ups that won’t gap at the boobs and are not super form-fitting. They promote the sort of modern feminism that holds no underlying toxic ideals of woman’s superiority, and works in the name of women having their rights unrestricted so that they can live their fullest lives with a true sense of self and self-worth alike. 

STUZO CLOTHING: Los Angeles, California.

Steeped in the ideals of love, people, and life STUZO celebrates existence without emphasis on identity. Women owned and black owned, STUZO offers apparel with no gender bias with designs meant to invoke thought and feeling; an experience of the self, expressed without boundary. STUZO looks at clothing as being without life and therefore cannot be limited by borders of gender; textiles worn and filled out by consumers breathing life into them.

PYRAMID SEVEN: Chicago, Illinois.

A niche brand; they provide boxer briefs for periods, not gender. Their philosophy and belief is that regardless of where you fall on the gender spectrum or identify yourself as, if you menstruate you should be wearing their briefs. Designed with comfort and protection in mind, PYRAMID SEVEN briefs offer assurance that there is no longer a need to worry about leakage or bagginess - discomfort does not exist in their brand. These briefs are made to be used either in tandem with menstrual products of all kinds or even for free bleeding, it’s all at behest to comfort during an uncomfortable time. They are also advocates of privacy and neither reveal themselves too freely nor make comments on their consumer base, only expressing the validity of their representation being that of all who menstruate. 

Fluide: Brooklyn, New York.

Beauty brand founded by a mother’s goal to establish a gender-expansive beauty line to celebrate under-represented faces and voice, supporting young people’s self-expression and creativity. Fluide is queer oriented and offers a full range of vegan/cruelty free cosmetics for all skin tones + types and gender expression. Their belief is that makeup is joyful, transformative, and meant to be inclusive of all with a wish of being expressive and to invent themselves as they want to be seen. They are a platform of queer voices showcasing queer beauty and work with many LGBTQ+ non-profits and advocate for revolutionizing the world of fashion and all of it’s mainstream conception of beauty standards and create a style space of authenticity.

Official Rebrand: New York City, New York. 

A unique brand founded by a non-binary artist, Official Rebrand revives discarded clothing and remakes designs by breathing life back into what was unwanted. The mastermind behind the concept paints or otherwise alters (rebrands) items that have been cast aside and turns them into works of art which in turn proposes an anti-waste alternative.  The rebranding process strips clothing of their proposed gender categories and promotes the fluidity of identity. Official Rebrand dominates the medium where art and fashion overlap, reintroducing his pieces without any sense of today’s arbitrary societal constraints. 

PHLEMUNS: Los Angeles, California. 

Black and queer owned/operated, PHLEMUNS is a non-binary all inclusive brand that seeks to merge elements of nostalgia and modern contemporary fashion. With a goal of bridging the gap between high fashion and every day communities, this brand takes what is called a slow-fashion approach to their designs and crafts meticulously and intentionally on styles meant to be seen as accessible, inclusive, and wholly unisex. This is a brand which exists in the grey areas of society, fashion, and thrives on the idea of intersecting identity. 

NO SESSO: Los Angeles, California.

The brand name itself is Italian for “no sex/gender” and the fashion it produces truly encompasses this meaning. This is a fashion house that cranks out collections specifically targeting conventions of art, fashion, and culture. Their lines offer ranges in color, fabrics, prints, and reconstructed materials but their true signature is hand embroidery. Much of their collections are made from upcycled fabrics and materials found at flea markets and make use of patchwork designs as a motif of their community-based foundations. Think streetwear but couture, and this is what NO SESSO is defined by. 

gc2b: Maryland, USA.

Trans-owned, founded, and operated. gc2b produced the first chest binder and snapped off transitional apparel and established themselves as the first gender-affirming company in the industry. The credence of the company is comfortable, safe, and accessible binding options designed by trans people for trans people and to accomodate the vast spectrum of humanity. gc2b has donated over 6000 binders to those in need and sponsors over 100 LGBTQ+ organizations while working extensively with LGBTQ+ communities and charities to raise funds and awareness. 

Likely I will revise this post from time to time and update the listing. 

I really like being able to use my position as a platform to provide notice of undervalued communities within the fashion industry and world of style. I have often purchased outright and incorporated many key pieces of some of my most notable styles and ensembles from LGBTQ+ brands that deserve recognition and think of it as a soft promotion of their talent and falls within the conduct my company expects me to abide. 

Originally I did intend to have links in this post to make checking them out easier, but I was having some issues with tumblr being crotchety and had to forgo them sadly. Still, I encourage anyone interested to take a peek at their online sites or social medias - they’re all very lovely and inspirational!

[khaosfm]

          ‘sup  my  dudes   !  it’s  ya  boy  yves  sliding  into  the  group  after  eyeing  this  bad  boy  for  quite  some  time  ,  and  i’m  super  excited  to  be  here  .  i’m  not  even  gonna  lie  to  ya’ll  ...  this  intro  is  headass  as  fuck  and  my  son  is  hell  in  a  hand  basket  (  maybe  that’s  why  his  name  is  khaos   ?   lmao  ) .  anyways  ,  i’m  super  excited  to  be  here  and  to  introduce  ya’ll  to  my  son  ,  and  i’ll  be  sharing  my  discord  𝐝𝐨𝐣𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝑐𝑎𝑡 .#4437 just  in  case  anyone  would  prefer  to  plot  there  .  uhhh  ,  ya’ll  should  be  warned  that  this  intro  is  pretty  long  and  also  kinda  link  heavy  ,  but  you  don’t  have  to  click  them  if  you  don’t  want  to  !  it’s  mainly  because  i’m  an  extra  bitch  and  wasn’t  to  provide  ya’ll  with  VISUALS  .  

           chicago’s  very  own  khaos  banks  has  been  spotted  on  madison  avenue  driving  a  frozen  blue  metallic  2020  porsche  taycan  ,  welcome  !  your  resemblance  to  keith  powers  is  unreal  .  according  to  tmz  ,  you  just  had  your  twenty - fourth  birthday  bash  . your  chance  of  surviving  new  york  is  uncertain  because  you’re  austere  ,  but  being  debonair  might  help  you  .  i  think  being  a  virgo  explains  that  .  3  things  that  would  paint  a  better  picture  of  you  would  be  diamond  encrusted  grills  glistening  underneath  the  glow  of  club  lights ,  back  to  back  shots  of  patrón  with  pineapple  juice  chasers ,  and  the  swipe  of  an  american  express  centurian  card  out  of  boredom  .  (  his  parents  had  his  criminal  record  expunged  to  protect  the  family  name   .  ) 

𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜  𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  .

NAME :  khaos  maurice  banks  .

NICKNAME(s) :  kai  ,  or  nothing  . he’ll  gut  you  like  a  fish  if  you  try and  come  up  with  anything  different  . 

BIRTHDAY / AGE  :  september  17th  ,  1995  /  twenty - four  .

ZODIAC  :  virgo  .

GENDER  :  cismale  .

PRONOUNS :  he / him / his  .

NATIONALITY  :  american  .

ETHNICITY :  african - american  .

HEIGHT :  6′2″ ( six  foot  ,  two  inches ) .

LABEL(s)  :  the  lothario  ,  the  trust  fund  baby  ,  the  connard  ,  the  black  sheep  ,  and  the  sybarite  .

ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION  :  biromantic  .

SEXUAL  ORIENTATION  :  bisexual  .

FAMILY  NET  WORTH  :  $3.67  billion  .

LANGUAGES  SPOKEN  :  english  and  portuguese  .

CHARACTER  TROPES  :  the  quarterback  ,  spoiled  brat  ,  millionaire  playboy  ,  socialite  ,  and  the  casanova  .

CHARACTER  INSPO :  ambrose  spellman  ,  daniel  king  ,  spencer  james  ,  aaron  jackson  ,  and  chris  mckay  .

𝐢. 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 .

          born  in  a  moderately  comfortable  home  in  chicago  ,  il  ,  marcus  banks  never  really  knew  what  he  wanted  to  do  .  he  could  have  been  the  first  in  his  family  to  go  to  college  ,  especially  since  his  father  went  into  the  army  right  after  high  school  and  his  mom  worked  at  a  mac  counter  in  the  mall  to  give  herself  something  to  do  instead  of  being  a  stay  at  home  mom  .  when  he  was  in  high  school  ,  marcus  was  the  quarterback  for  his  school’s  team  ,  but  he  had  no  interest  in  playing  football  in  college  .  he  does  end  up  going  ,  and  manages  to  get  himself  into  prestigious  hbcu  morehouse  college  in  atlanta  ,  georgia  .  marcus  discovered  that  he  was  unhappy  at  morehouse  and  dropped  out  ,  so  like  most  twenty  year  olds  with  nothing  to  his  name  and  a  single  ticket  to  new  york  ,  marcus  somehow  managed  to  get  a  position  as  an  intern  at  uptown  records  .

          marcus  worked  his  way  up  from  intern  and  eventually  became  a  talent  director  ,  and  this  is  when  he  discovered  his  own  passion  for  music  as  well  as  how  exciting  it  was  to  help  develop  talent  .  while  at  uptown  records  ,  marcus  had  a  hand  in  developing  a  lot  of  the  talent  from  the  90s  ,  such  as  jodeci  and  mary  j .  blige  .  marcus’s  time  at  uptown  came  to  an  end  when  he  decided  that  he  wanted  to  start  his  own  label  ,  which  he  called  kingdom  records  .  through  those  years  ,  he  helped  to  manage  and  produce  tons  of  popular  artists  from  the  late  90s  and  early  2000s  .  although  marcus  enjoyed  his  time  as  a  producer  and  he  watched  as  his  wealth  grew  ,  he  also  knew  that  he  wanted  to  have  a  wife  and  children  .

           he  married  his  wife  ,  jada  long  ,  after  they  met  when  she  came  in  with  her  girl - group  to  become  the  next  big  trio  .  while  the  trio’s  career  didn’t  take  off  ,  jada  managed  to  find  love  with  marcus  and  they  married  after  six  months  of  dating  .  after  being  married  for  three  years  ,  they  welcomed  their  first  child  ,  a  son  named  isaiah  born  in  1993  .  in  1995  ,  jada  and  marcus  were  originally  expecting  twins  ,  but  one  of  them  absorbed  the  other  ,  so  that  explains  why  the  couple  decided  to  name  their  second  son  khaos  .  the  couple  had  one  more  child  ,  a  daughter  they  named  mariah  ,  in  1999  .  marcus  and  jada  settled  with  their  family  in  los  angeles  ,  where  their  company  expanded  and  marcus  started  his  own  music  career  .

          originally  ,  critics  were  skeptical  because  he  was  known  for  managing  and  producing  ,  not  rapping  ,  but  he  released  his  debut  album  in  2001  and  let’s  just  say  that  critics  were  floored  .  the  album  debuted  at  number  one  and  went  2x  platinum  ,  earning  him  his  first  grammy  nomination  .  marcus  continuously  released  music  throughout  the  2000s  and  even  into  the  2010s  ,  which  has  earned  him  18  grammy  wins  and  received  the  commemorative  ‘ salute  to  industry  icons  ’  in  2017  .  marcus  has  since  retired  from  music  after  touring  a  few  times  ,  and  now  mainly  cites  himself  as  a  businessman  .  he  is  the  head  of  banks  enterprises  ,  which  is  the  umbrella  com[any  for  his  restaurants  ,  fashion  line  ,  liquor  brand  ,  and  he  eventually  went  into  television  production  as  well  .

          as  for  their  son  khaos  ,  he’s  got  a  sick  case  of  middle  child  syndrome  .  while  growing  up  ,  he  always  felt  overshadowed  by  his  brother  who  went  into  the  music  industry  and  even  by  his  younger  sister  as  she  had  a  natural  talent  for  gymnastics  .  when  he  was  in  high  school  ,  khaos  played  football  because  it  made  sense  ,  but  he  wasn’t  as  passionate  about  it  as  his  father  .  football  was  never  an  interest  to  khaos  ,  and  he  never  had  an  interest  in  attending  college  for  it  either  (  sound  familiar  ?  )  he  wanted  time  to  figure  out  who  he  was  and  things  of  the  sort  ,  but  his  dad  was  a  stubborn  man  who  barely  let  him  decide  what  he  wanted  despite  the  fact  that  he  allowed  it  for  his  other  children  .  khaos  never  really  knew  how  to  tell  his  dad  that  he  didn’t  want  a  life  as  some  pro - baller  ,  so  he  started  hanging  around  the  wrong  people  .

          when  it  started  , khaos  primarily  hot - boxed  in  his  car  with  his  friends  ,  stayed  out  for  far  too  long  ,  and  occasionally  got  busted  in  the  mansions  that  were  up  for  sale  in  their  neighborhoods  .  to  him  ,  it  was  all  fun  and  games  ,  but  the  laughs  came  to  a  halt  when  his  father  picked  him  up  fueled  with  rage  and  his  mother  had  tears  in  her  eyes  because  he  was  ‘  headed  down  a  dark  path  ’  .  of  course  ,  khaos  never  took  heed  to  what  his  parents  had  to  say  about  anything  ,  so  he  continued  to  act  up  (  you  can  get  snatched  up  )  and  when  he  was  eighteen  his  parents  had  had  enough  when  he  was  placed  on  probation  for  two  and  a  half  years  for  reckless  driving  and  drag  racing  .

           the  heads  of  the  banks  household  decided  that  they  would  have  khaos  complete  his  probation  in  chicago  ,  and  was  made  to  stay  with  his  grandmother  for  the  duration  .  of  course  ,  khaos  was  mad  about  it  ,  but  he  decided  that  he  wouldn’t  stay  in  chicago  once  it  was  over  .  he  was  supposed  to  return  to  california  ,  but  somehow  managed  to  convince  his  parents  that  he’d  be  better  off  moving  to  new  york  ,  and  so  they  let  him  . 

𝐢𝐢. 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 .

now  ,  he  lives  in  new  york  and  pretends  like  he’s  the  ‘ changed ’  son  that  his  parents  want  .  in  reality  he’s  just  doing  whatever  the  hell  he  wants  because  his  parents  made  sure  that  the  media  didn’t  discover  that  he  was  going  in  and  out  of  jail  and  on  probation  for  a  period  of  time  .  he  mainly  lives  the  life  of  a  socialite  ,  taking  random  excursions  around  the  world  when  he  feels  like  it  and  popping  up  in  the  tabloids  because  he’s  having  another  club  night  escapade  .  

𝐢𝐢𝐢. 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲  .

khaos  is  pretty  much  the  epitome  of  a  spoiled  rich  boy  .  he’s  really  arrogant  ,  and  thinks  highly  of  himself  but  he’s  not  really  in  your  face  about  it  .  it  mostly  can  be  seen  in  his  aura  /  his  energy  as  he’s  not  much  of  a  talker  in  the  first  place  .  he  doesn’t  brag  or  boast  about  himself  or  his  family’s  wealth  because  well  ...  there’s  no  need  for  that  .  as  soon  as  people  hear  the  ‘ banks ’  last  name  ,  they  automatically  know  who  he  is  .

he’s  the  most  charming  man  !  he’s  really  chill  and  he  really  likes  conversation  ,  so  watch  as  he  fills  it  with  compliments  but  mainly  to  get  what  he  wants  .  if  he’d  being  honest  ,  he  gets  his  charm  from  his  father  ,  even  though  he  doesn’t  really  want  to  admit  it  ,  and  he  gets  his  incredible  sense  of  humor  from  his  mother  so  chances  are  ,  he’s  gonna  get  what  he  wants  .  

uh  ,  he’s  an  asshole  ,  too  ?  like  he  tends  to  think  he’s  not  ,  but  he  doesn’t  really  care  for  his  dad  and  borderline  would  beat  his  ass  if  he  had  the  chance  to  .  he’s  not  an  asshole  outright  where  he’s  a  standoffish  dick  face  ,  but  khaos  does  have  his  moments  where  his  temper  won’t  be  as  mellow  as  it  usually  is  .

𝐢𝐯. 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬  .

his  family  owns  a  few  houses  around  the  united  states  .  they  have  their  main  house  in  hidden  hills  ,  their  house  in  chicago  ,  two  vacation  homes  in  aspen  and  southampton  ,  and  a  more  ‘ modest ’  home  in  beverly  hills  .  khaos  lives  in  a  loft - style  duplex  condo  in  greenwich  village  .

it’s  my  dream  car (  rip  to  tesla  ig  lol )  ,  but  khaos  drives  primarily  a  porsche  taycan  .  it’s  the  main  car  he  drives  in  nyc  ,  but  back  home  in  california  he  has  a  fleet  of  cars  ranging  from  a  range  rover  ,  bentley  bentayga  ,  rolls - royce  phantom  ,  a  ferrari  548  italian  spider  ,  and  the  beautiful  bugatti  chiron  .

his  fashion  sense  is  primarily  streetwear  .  he  likes  to  dabble  into  luxury  sportswear  as  well  ,  but  mainly  sticks  to  brands  like  supreme  ,  commes  des  garcones  ,  balenciaga  ,  vetements  ,  supreme  ,  off - white  ,  alexander  wang  ,  etc  .  

this  is  so  headass  and  it  fits  his  aesthetic  lmao  ,  but  khaos  wears  a  an  eight  tooth  grill  (  both  top  and  bottom  )  every  single  day  .  ofc  he  takes  them  out  to  be  cleaned  /  brush  his  teeth  ,  but  he  never  leaves  the  house  without  them  and  they’re  valued  at  $45k  each  .

mostly  because  he’s  annoying  ,  his  favorite  thing  to  eat  is  cronuts  and  he’d  literally  fly  back  to  los  angeles  for  the  vegan  cronuts  at  donut  farm  .  that  being  said  ,  he  is  vegan  but  not  annoying  about  it  ...  at  least  i  don’t  think  he  is  lmao  .

a  feminist  !  specifically  ,  an  intersectional  feminist  and  he's  gone  to  the  women’s  march  in  nyc  every  year  since  he  made  the  official  move  ,  and  uh  ,  probably  got  arrested  during  a  peaceful  protest  when  the  ab*rtion  bill  became  a  thing  .

[dippedanddripped]

CLOT REINTERPRETS ICONIC "FROM DUSK TILL DAWN" COLLECTION FOR SPRING SUMMER 2023

CLOT/ FEBRUARY 26, 2023

Continuing its 20th-anniversary celebrations, CLOT revisits its signature Fall Winter 2009 collection, "From Dusk Till Dawn", for Spring Summer 2023.

This year, CLOT celebrates its 20-year milestone by breathing new life into some of its most popular creations from the past two decades. For the CLOT Spring Summer 2023 collection, the brand pays tribute to its iconic “From Dusk Till Dawn” collection from 2009, dropping a new seasonal range under the same name.

Launched as a continued salute to the “24-hour hustler” mentality, the SS23 “From Dusk Till Dawn” collection comprises a mix of high-quality pieces suitable for both day and night. Some of CLOT’s signature graphics from the archives can be found on T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts, with detailed refreshments that some of the brand’s die-hard fans will recognize. These include the “Stay Cool” Tee with a polar bear on the front and “You always Stay Cool Ice Cold” on the back, the “Joe” Tee and “Joe” Sweater featuring G.I. Joe-inspired stripes, the “CLOT Maraud” Tee and Hoodie, and more, which will surely recall fond memories among fans of the brand.

Embracing new manifestations of liberated energy and the supercharged erotic nature of a hustler at night, new suggestive graphic motifs featuring secret societies and extra-terrestrial life forms have been added to the range. That includes the gaming-inspired “Winnindoh”, the “OS” design that recalls a certain office software, and the “Seeing Eye”, which hints at a particular secret society, among others. To further deliver the style vision for the collection, the SS23 drop also comprises a wide range of patterned pieces, from ready-to-wear to accessories, offering unlimited mix-and-match options all season round.

A range of CLOT x Emotionally Unavailable creations shall also be launched as part of CLOT’s Spring Summer 2023 “From Dusk Till Dawn” collection. These include CLOT staple silhouettes like the Baseball Shirt and Loose Fit Chino Pants, boasting a bold heart-infused pattern for the everyday hustlers who play from Dusk 'till Dawn and Dawn 'till Dusk.

The CLOT Spring Summer 2023 “From Dusk Till Dawn” collection is set for gradual release at JUICE selling doors worldwide from March 1, 2023. Follow @CLOT and @JUICESTORE social media channels for instant updates.

[trixter-i-am]

One of my best fashion tips on how to look androgynous is to layer your outfit and to mix together futuristic style, oriental motifs and sportswear elements. For one thing, it’s comfortable. Layers of clothing will make you feel comfortable and protected, in your own fashion, against the cold weather and the scrutinizing stares of people trying to determine your gender. This way, you’ll behave more confidently and your movements will be more relaxed. Flowing fabrics and soft folds will create the right genderless mood, set the rhythm of your gait, and help you get rid of deliberately ‘masculine’ sweeping movements or ‘feminine’ hip-swaying for a more androgynous look. You’ll be soft and comfortable while embracing androgyny. There’s no need to pretend to be someone else. Your clothes will do everything for you.

For another thing, most people already have entrenched ideas on what makes a clear binary gender image. With such a look, you are guaranteed not to conform to any. You simply hover in the “Are you a girl or a boy?” category and calmly ride your own nonbinary wave.

These stretch low-rise unisex joggers by the Ukrainian brand BlackLimit combine both sports and oriental androgynous inspirations at once. They’re extremely comfortable and snuggly. My knee-length oversize Pull-and-Bear tunic goes well with almost all the things of this trend: joggers, skinny pants, or leggings. An incredibly warm shaggy unisex sweatshirt by the Ukrainian brand 452f_official has thumbhole sleeves and a huge cowl collar that can serve as a scarf and even as a hood if desired. It’s a very practical and indispensable thing.

Actually, here’s a fashion tip on how to dress androgynous in the cold fall or winter season. With an outfit like this, all you need do is throw on an overcoat, and even chilly weather won’t hold you back.

And yes, a coat. A neutral, straight-cut, herringbone tweed overcoat is an all-age androgynous fashion must-have in your streetwear wardrobe. There are so many stylish combinations you can create with this coat: harmonize and slightly tone-down the most courageous boho outfit, present yourself as a stylish and strict introvert, or add it to your athleisure outfit and turn yourself into a seasoned, worn-down maverick. In short, never throw away such a coat.

Complement your gender-neutral outfit with comfortable flat-soled boots. Mine have wide neoprene boot tops. Gods, I love black footgear with white soles. It’s always attractive, stylish and completes your image beautifully, literally lifting you above the ground if you’re wearing total black.

Voila — you are a stylish androgynous ninja from the future.

Photo by Nikita Karimov Retouching by me.

[elceeu2morrow]

Esquire Middle East |  05May2019 Sarakshi Rai

Liam Payne is now the global brand ambassador for HUGO

Hugo Boss has tapped former One Direction singer Liam Payne to be the first brand ambassador for its younger-oriented label starting this summer

Payne will work with brand and creative director Peter Deirowski to design a capsule and also be the face of its bodywear collection

Hugo x Liam Payne will launch in July at Berlin Fashion Week with with a concert and presentation

The former One Direction man is all grown up and is striking out in his own direction. HUGO has announced 25-year-old Liam Payne as its global brand ambassador, a partnership that will see him become the face of an exclusive new capsule and the brand’s bodywear.

This summer will see the solo artist front in his very first campaign for the brand, and it will be led by iconic fashion photographers Mert & Marcus.

The brand most recently decided to spin off a new division, simply dubbed HUGO. While Hugo Boss remains the parent company and brand, and still produces things like suits, HUGO specialises in more edgy looks like streetwear, which as their new face, Payne excels at.

“I knew if I wanted to do something in fashion it should be with HUGO,” says the singer-songwriter. “They design clothes that guys like me want to wear. Fashion started out as a hobby for me, but I’m loving being part of the creative process.”

The German brand has also collaborated with Liam on an exclusive ‘HUGO x Liam Payne capsule’, inspired by the singer’s personal style. The capsule will be revealed during July’s Berlin Fashion Week.

“Liam is not only a very talented musician, he’s also got great style”, says Peter Deirowski, Brand and Creative Director for HUGO. “This type of creative partnership is something we’ve never done before and we can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working on behind the scenes.”

Later this year, Liam will appear as the new face of HUGO Bodywear. With his former bandmates also big on the fashion front, Zayn Malik has collaborated on collections with both Versace and The Kooples, and Harry Styles has appeared in Gucci campaigns, so it will ne interesting to see how the HUGO - Payne partnership will develop through the year.

The young Brit has had a bit of a style evolution since he left One Direction. He told Esquire: “My style and my fashion sense are all quite laid back now because that's kind of the way I am as well. I don't feel the need to hide behind the clothes anymore. I feel I can just be who I am and enjoy myself.”

All you need to do is look at the chains that Payne draped around his neck during the release of his singles a few years ago to appreciate just how far the singer has come. A man who was, in his words, a bit confused.

“Strip That Down’ was amazing and I was really happy with the success of it – but it didn't necessarily paint the right picture of me and who I actually am,” he said.

“I always found, to start off with, that with a lot of the chains and the clothes and the fashion, I was kind of hiding behind something. It's a bit like being stuck out in deep water and you're just going 'well, it would be really nice to get back now.'"

[niamhdonlan]

Reading Week- Fred Perry

Fred Perry has a very clear vision and purpose, on the website they write ‘We are a global, niche brand with strong values of integrity, personality and individuality.’ Their main values centre around the importance of subculture and diversity, they also write ‘Fred Perry has never adjusted its course for anyone. Never been a slave to fashion. Never tied itself to the latest subculture. This philosophy has led to long term collaborations with like-minded partners, from Comme des Garçons to Amy Winehouse and from Raf Simons to Charlie Casely-Hayford.’ Diversity and inclusivity is also held at a very high importance in their brand, even setting up groups within the brand which they explain ‘to educate ourselves and to start doing the work to make real positive differences across the business. We feel we needed to first take the time to look internally, speak to our teams and focus our energies on listening to our employees’ experiences.’

They have a very clear brand identity, with the Laurel wreath on all of their products it makes the brand very recognisable, especially because it is so popular, on the website they write about this stating ‘ The shirt is the start and end of everything we do, because it’s more than a shirt – it’s a rite of passage, it’s the uniform of the non-uniform. A true icon. Today, Fred Perry is a global community of 370 employees, all inspired by the Laurel Wreath and what it represents.’ As well at this they write’ We are proud of its lineage and what the Laurel Wreath has represented for over 65 years: inclusivity, diversity and independence’, which lines up with they core values perfectly. On top of this on thing that makes this brand so recognisable and stand out from other brands is their focus on music and their roots in subculture, again ‘a uniform of the non-uniform’. They have a values section of their website, which a whole section is dedicated to their care towards the music community, they explain ‘Music is a universal language that connects us all. The Fred Perry shirt is a piece of British subcultural uniform, adopted by various groups of people who recognise their own values in what it stands for...You’ll find the Laurel Wreath on the stage, backstage and in the crowd. We are synonymous with music and we proudly support the spirit of independence.From championing new talent to supporting the 100 Club, hosting diverse Subculture Live events all around the world and partnering with the Music Venue Trust – music is as important to us as it is to you.’ 

The brand in certain ways has a very specific customer, even though they cater to women, men, and kids, however a lot of their clothing such as the polo shirts are very uni sex. However in the past and still to this day the range of customer is very diverse, the brand is very involved in the skinhead and punk subculture and still imbed themselves into the music scenes, you can see this with their Amy Winehouse collection, The Specials collection or their Gorillaz collection. Even though at the start (1952) it was created as a more sportswear brand, on the website they talk about this ‘the shirt, would transcend sportswear to streetwear on the backs of generation after generation of British youth subcultures.’ Therefore they cater to all their audiences by still selling the sportswear classics such as the shirts, and tennis style backs, but the music orientated customer has a wide range to choose from. The customer cares about the logo that comes along with the products as its more of a community that just a brand. 

The price rage throught the brand is quite range, but I would definitely say it is more in the higher end of prices just because of the prestige of the brand, they are able to charge more. For the classic Fred Perry polo shirt, it is around £65 however, on sale they can go down to like £30 to £50 mark. This is the same for  women and men, for kids you can get the classic polo as their ‘First Fred Perry’ for £40. These are around the lowest prices you will find within the brand other than the sale, along side this they use sustainable cotton for most of their products, hoping to be sourcing 100% sustainable cotton but 2024. This brings up the cost of products as this is more expensive than cheap, factory made, fabrics. The highest prices you will fid would be within their collections, and in the £900 range for their coats, and knitwear for around £200.

Fred Perry have a very wide range of products, with polos, shirts, t-shirts, jumper/knitwears, accessories/shoes and coats. Alongside this as I mention before they have many collections, one of their most famous being the Amy Winehouse collection. Here they use inspiration from her original designs from the very first line, and support the Amy Winehouse foundation from the earnings of each drop. They have a very iconic polo shirt, which comes in a range of colours that they are constantly updating, and was one of the first products to come out at the very start of the brand, designed by Fred Perry himself. On distinctive part of all their products would be their symbol, the laurel wreath. This comes on nearly every product, either sown onto the garment, or some as a metal badge. They do this because it is the most recognisable part of the brand where most people would know what it is just by seeing this, and gives customers a feel of being part of the community by having this. I would say their key pieces are again the polo shirts, but all their cardigans, and classic v neck jumpers, however now they also have products such as plain t-shirts, and track jackets. This helps them appeal to a wider audience, and more casual look to brand, so customers can wear them in more diverse occasions, and cater to different styles the customers may have. 

They have a very popular online store that is very well kept, updated and restocked, and ships internationally. Online you can also find a separate UK and US store. They also have their own stores in Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Cardiff and others. As well as this they have outlet stores and sell their products in other branches such as JD, Scotts, or Fat Face, and these are just the ones in the UK. They have such a large fan base that they are able to afford to have these stores in many locations, and in other stores that they don't own. 

To promote themselves they are known for using a lot of celebrities, in wearing their clothes and creating collections with them, such as The Specials. The brand also uses activist's such as Saffiyah Khan, who is an activist to promote and do campaigns with them, as they are a very progressive brand with a strong values of diversity and inclusivity, it aligns with her beliefs. They don't do many media advertisements, and mainly rely on the celebrity wear and word of mouth and collaborations to promote their clothing. I feel as though these are clever tactic from them, as a big part of their brand is subculture and straying away from the mainstream, ‘a uniform of the non-uniform’, so to rely heavily on word of mouth, and campaign with people of the same beliefs, the same values run throughout everything they do. They use sales in their stores and online, which is always a good way to promote and get consumers to buy your products, however they don't really believe in Black Friday, on their website they state, ‘Black Friday has never really been our style. Our focus has always been about making quality clothes that stand the test of time. But for 2021, we decided to do something for Black Friday. Something that’s more in-line with our brand values. Between Thursday 25th November and Sunday 28th November, we donated 10% of net sales online and in our UK, France, Canada, USA & Germany ‘Fred Perry’ shops and split it equally between four global charities: Music Venue Trust (charity no. 1159846), Blueprint for All (charity no. 1102267), Die Arche and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.These charities reflect our values of independence and diversity and we are proud to have an ongoing relationship with each of them.’

The packaging for Fred Perry can vary depending on the product and wether it came from a collection. In the shops you are likely to get a sustainable bag, with the product inside it wrapped in paper, which I feel gives it a more sophisticated look at more thought is put into it, on top of this its also sustainable. However when you order online, it comes in a blue recyclable plastic bag, which adds to them trying to be more sustainable. However you can get hard cardboard box for they badges, the shoes and also the limited collections. The packaging is quite sophisticated keeping the genre pop the brand, and making sure all packaging has the laurel wreath on, the theme runs all throughout the brand. 

[sneakerspotlight]

Adidas’ Collaborations

In the sneakers industry, and more than any other brand, Adidas definitely stands out for its iconic collaborations. Whether it's taking on a new celebrity as the face of a campaign or launch, like Kylie Jenner with the Falcon, or designing a whole line with famous artists such as Rick Owens, Stella McCartney. Most of the time, they are a huge success. 

The people they choose have to be influential in areas that have a big impact on today's fashion, and especially streetwear, like the music industry. The first ever known endorsement tying both industries together was in the late 1986 with Run DMC. The sportswear brand partnered up with the artists, and launched a customized version of the famous Superstar design. 

But more recently, in 2015, Adidas implemented a new strategy focused on collaborations, meant to spread over five years: “Creating the New”. And though it was only supposed to go until 2020, the company is still has a partnerships oriented goal. Just a month ago was announced a team-up with Xbox to celebrate the 20years of the first console by launching a couple of unique new pairs.

But amongst all of Adidas’ collaborations so far, which ones have marked us the most (besides Run DMC)? I think it’s safe to say that for most people, the first name that comes to mind is Kanye West. Their Yeezy collection that started in 2015 has been an absolute hit. So much so that those specific releases have greatly shaped the sneaker market into what it is today: multiple launches of exclusive pairs with limited stocks and a big name, retail prices skyrocketing for pieces that really just have an average quality sometimes and don’t cost more to produce than the regular designs, a huge reselling industry where contacts are key…It’s almost like people are fighting over a Banksy painting!

Kanye, who had started working with Nike a few years prior to this, saw a bigger opportunity in collaborating with the competitor. The Yeezy Boost 750 saw the light of day in February, with an initial retail price of 350$. The futuristic boot-like pair got so much attention, it quickly became worth up to a couple thousand dollars. Same exact scenario for every single launch: the websites that carry them are sold out within minutes, they are very hard to find in physical locations, and to get your hands on in general, unless you are willing to spend 7 or 8 times more money. 

But why? Besides the limited stock, the rapper’s image has a huge impact on this phenomenon. For many, he is perceived as an artistic genius. In pictures, he is constantly seen wearing his own creations. Obviously, people want a piece of it, if it is out there. The Kardashian family, which he was part of until very recently, also played an enormous part in promoting his line. Being the fashion influencers that they are, millions of people couldn’t pass on the opportunity of getting closer to the sisters’ (life)style.

Are also worth mentioning: 

Singer Beyonce’s Ivy park, which consists of both shoes and apparel, primarily for women but now also for kids. The past collections have been quite successful as well, and we are expecting more to come.

The more high-end release with luxury brand Prada

The Knick’s player Derrick Rose’s basketball shoes

The twist on skateboarding shoes by famous fashion designer Alexander Wang…

The customizable Lego shoes with actual bricks to place as desired

Whether it’s to build a collection, or simply because in all this variety, there just has to be something for everybody, it all gets sold. People don’t walk, they run to have access to these releases. There has been so much going on the past few years, beating Adidas seems close to impossible in this specific field. 

[kaylafmp]

Target audience research

Look at your current customer base.

As of right now i don't have a customer base. However instead i will take this from my art account on instagram as my illustrations are all the same style as the designs i will be making for  my brand. Here are my demographics.

As shown the age range for my art account is mostly 18-24 year olds and for gender its mostly men however i would like my brand to be more inclusive so i will cater to both genders. 

2.  Check out your competition.

By this I'm assuming it means other brands that sell manga style clothes. So i researched further into the harajuku website that i had researched before. Here is a statement on the website.

Harajuku For Everyone Meaning, it does not matter if you are a teenager and young, or old and retired. It is never too late to be self-expressive and let your creative side go! Because Harajuku fashion is such an open style of streetwear clothes, it increases its target audience and market.

This is a smart marketing move as by widening your audience your widening your market as in result selling more products.

3.  Analyze your product/service.

As i haven't designed my actual products yet i will base this on my previous illustrations as my brand will follow along with this style

As my illustrations all have provocative elements to it i do think i should cater my brand to be either 16+ or 18+. My drawings are all very edgy so i think the person who would buy my products would have a very trendy/edgy style.

Choose specific demographics to target.

Here is a list of demographics i found relating to the fashion industry.

 age -  as mentioned above i think the most ideal age range for my clothing brand would be 18-24

 gender - I would like my brand to be inclusive of all gender 

 income - I would like my shirts to be affordable while being able to sustain my brand as well as make a profit. I need to decide on prices for my clothing.

nationality - Any

race - Any

religion - Any

Consider the psychographics of your target.

VALS (Values, Attitudes, Lifestyles Survey): !* • * • * * ! • •• !* ••personal success and freedom is priority, narcissistic!define themselves through relationships (social media/networking)!– so MAKE IT COOL and “REMARKABLE”! – mostly UNEMPLOYED!tech-savvy... first generation to grow up with computer and internet in home! 97% own a computer, 94% own a cell phone, 92% text on a regular basis!race – ethnically very diverse and tolerant!sexuality – open and tolerant, LGBT comfortable, known as the “hook-up” generation, but also known to be serial monogamists, much less importance placed on marriage and long-term! politics – uninterested in national affairs, more civic-minded & community-oriented!46% vote, 45% independent, 33% democratic, 22% republican!feel they must “beat the system” to get what they want!religion - more spiritual, individual beliefs, religiously diverse, open, accepting, and tolerant. Skeptical of any religious institutions, skeptical of organized religion in general are focused on and making the world a better place!

Reference;

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/533f971ae4b0258f1159c770/t/557df14fe4b014e8c7586f79/1434317135866/millennial_guide.pdf

These are the psychographics of 18-24 year olds which fit in with my demographic.

Evaluate your decision.

Additional resources.

[statemant]

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PARIS FASHION WEEK SS 2019 - PART 2

Some of you may already have seen my post about upcoming Paris Fashion Week here featuring most anticipated shows of the calendar, but there’s so much more happening in Paris next week, that I could not just miss them without any mention. So, find below what are the shows to look forward in a few days:

DRIES VAN NOTEN

Dries is absolute king of Paris Fashion Week for me, especially during Menswear. His shows just go with a one full breath. It’s not just about the pieces or the particular look at Dries, it’s about entire vibe and emotion coming from the very personal offerings that designer shows. I think I can't say anything that can make you love him more, because I am sure he is already on top of my and true fashion lovers minds! With recent news that after 30 years of independence, Dries Van Noten has sold majority stake to Spanish fashion group PUIG (Puig already owns the labels Jean Paul Gaultier, Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne). I hope that this move does not "hurt" the brand as much and won't kill Dries's design inspirations. But before that, remember, jut when you need little bit of an inspiration expressed in fablous outfits go to 7 Quai Malaquais, Dries store, located along the Seine river, just like I do multiple times during my week-long stays in Paris. Can not wait for another incredible show (and hopefully not last "real" Dries) on 21st of June.

COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS 

Can I just say - COMME des GARÇONS, COMME des GARÇONS, COMME des GARÇONS - Last season, it came as a shock when we learned that majority of the pieces shown on the runway (like the one below) were turned out, so all we saw was just a lining! I can not wait to be amazed million times, this season!

VALENTINO

Valentino is a very special brand to me - it’s connected with my first ever major fashion show attendance, first ever luxury purchase, personal experiences with their designers (which you can read here) so I am always excited to go there. What the duo Maria & Pierpaolo and now latter one alone did for the brand is absolutely magical! Last seasons, more millennial-oriented VLTN offering was another fact how Piccioli keeps the brand of the moment, but still maintains codes of the house, which we all love!

THOM BROWNE

How often do we see man wearing heels? He just never ceases to amaze us with unexpected showing, which no one can blame, always showing that gender is not an issue while wearing particular piece of clothing, even though offered in classic men’s clothing materials, he has adopted traditional womenswear shapes to the male body! Excited to see what he is going to offer this time!

OFF-WHITE

Virgil Abloh has his biggest year, with his Louis Vuitton appointment (read here) and various collaborations popping up here and there. Although all eyes are on his LV debut, there’s Off-White SS 2019 collection show just 1 day before a big event. Being one of the most demanded brands on the current luxury streetwear market, it’s always interesting to see what he is going to put in “caps” next.

ACNE STUDIOS

Swedish fashion house has recently switched to the January/June calendar format, with the aim to deliver new collections earlier in their stores, although still keeps Mens and Womens presentations separately, in the same week. Masters of high-quality, everyday wear in incredible colors and often in oversized shapes, are on top of every true fashion insiders and outsiders hearts. 

OFFICINE GÉNÉRALE

Like a Garcon - representation of the stylish French guy’s look, who is well-dressed but not better than a French lady - essentials at its best. Desicribed as “beautiful normality” by the designer Pierre Mahéo, Officiene serves as a great breakfast for Sunday mornings at Mens Fashion Week. Below image, from SS 18, held at courtyard of the Lycée Henri-IV, was all about color-coordinated outfits, which may seem boring for some (as I’ve heard after the show) but still very on-point for me!

OAMC After spending 10 years working for Supreme, designer Luke Meier has launched own label OAMC (currently one of the most talked-about brands on a Menswear scene). Luke’s interests both in the streets and savoir-faire results in well-engineered separates and statemant outwear. 

SACAI

Before the closure, Parisian store Colette has dedicated it’s entire 2nd floor to a Sacai takeover among the major brands like Chanel, Balenciaga or Saint Laurent – which once again shows how important Sacai brand is to the fashion world and market. They always have a gender-less looks which usually carry a perfect balance between streetwear and more designer-y fashion – especially my favorite jackets that are timeless.

CERRUTI 1881

Since the childhood, when they’ve first opened CERRUTI 1881 store in my home town, Tbilisi, on my mind, it was always a brand you could go for a high quality classics that office guys wear and look great – I think it still is but for SS 2018 I saw many of the cool outfits, offered on the runway that many fashion-forward (but still preferably classy-looking) guys would wear with a pleasure!

ÉTUDES

An ode to Paris - that’s what lies behind the ongoing inspiration of Etudes. After a revamp that happened to the house seasons go, you can already spot Études logo sweats or caps at major street style reports. I think designers are slowly cementing their vision to the menswear scene and they’re doing it right!

LANVIN

It’s been 10 years now, since Lucas Ossendrijver works behind Lanvin Menswear and he is among few designers who has been very consistent throughout the seasons. Even during the golden era under Alber Elbaz (Womenswear), Lanvin’s Menswear was never overshadowed, cause it always kept the game on a high note. 

PAUL SMITH

For a few seasons row, Paul Smith will show it’s co-ed (Men’s and Women’s) show. As he mentions, this gives him a chance to work on a women’s pieces with the same effort as on men’s and it looks better on the runway, as well. For me, Paul Smith was always a perfect go-to brand for affordably luxe shoes and they still look perfect after many years.

JUUN. J

I could easily call a brand (especially previous season’s co-ed Womens & Mens show) an unisex label – there were lot worn by woman that men could rock, or vice versa. I am usually sucker of shirting and playing with it – so I can’t wait to see the Spring offering.

SEAN SUEN

Previous Summer was a very pastel-colored show, inspired by the works of German artist Daniel Sinsel. Sean Suen is a brand to watch this time around – a contemporary men’s wardrobe with lots of oversized and sleek fabric-made pieces.