H&M to Stage First Fashion Show in Eight Years… How About Staging a U.S. Online Store?

Hat and blazer by H&M

Good day, Gentlemen.

Woman’s Wear Daily (WWD) reported H&M will be hosting it’s first fashion show in eight years. The collection will be showed during Paris Fashion Week, February 2013.

That’s nice. I’m happy for them, really.

So let me get this right: H&M, Europe’s second-largest clothing retailer, is more concerned about showing a new collection rather than bolstering their already plummeting brand by implementing online operations in the United States? I realize revenue from U.S. online sales alone won’t send stocks positively trending, but wouldn’t it help?

Don’t get me wrong. H&M showing during Paris Fashion Week is a HUGE deal. They will most likely show pieces that will be available from their new brand, ‘& Other Stories’ (horrible name, way to go marketing department), set to drop this Spring, which has a higher price point and targets the female demographic. That makes sense. Diversifying your brand to compete in today’s fashion business makes sense.

Though, there lies my confusion. Spanish retailer Zara, a part of Europe’s largest clothing retailer, and Asos, the UK’s largest fashion retailer, both have online operations in the United States. H&M has delayed U.S. online operations longer than Dr. Dre has delayed his new album. When will the Swedish brand get it together? Do they even care?

The answer seems to be as empty as the imaginary shopping cart on their U.S. website. As reported by Bloomberg this month, the brand will simultaneously offer it’s new brand online and as a brick and mortar, yet makes no mention of when or if the U.S. online service will commence soon thereafter.

I wish H&M the best in their new endeavor. I am a long time H&M shopper, and it would be nice to have the luxury of conducting my business with them from the comfort of my home, wearing nothing but my skivvies.

Here’s to hoping H&M will give me that option by the time Spring rolls around. I need to incorporate some fast fashion into my wardrobe to deal with Virginia’s temperature change. If not, I’ll be writing a very strongly worded email to someone.

Peace and blessings,

S.O.S.

#OOTD: Red. White. Blue. Lenses.

Peace and blessings,

S.O.S.

The ARTisan Cafe

 

This past weekend my lady and I took a short road trip to check out an event called the ARTisan Cafe, which was held at the Plant Zero Art Center in Richmond, Virginia’s Manchester district. The quarterly event promotes local businesses with products such as natural and holistic cosmetics, independent artists and designers, and food.

My girlfriend’s mother runs a business which was also featured at the event called Naokeidoe Creations. Naokeidoe specializes in handmade, all natural men’s and women’s soaps, body oils, deodorants, lotions, and hair care products, just to name a few. (Side note: ever since I started using Naokeidoe products, my skin hasn’t looked or felt this good. Check out the site here).

The event featured a great venue and crowd, live music, and delicious food drinks, and desserts. I love the atmosphere in Richmond, as it gives me a small glimpse of something Hampton Roads doesn’t quite offer: the eclectic, hip crowd that dabbles and dips into more
than beach and college clubs, politics, and military. Hampton Roads has this, but only in rarely advertised, small circles. Whenever I come to Richmond, no matter the length of time, I thoroughly enjoy myself.

I’d like to give thanks and congratulations to the organizers of the Artisan Cafe for a successful event. I’m looking forward to your next event.

Peace.

S.O.S

#OOTD: Comfort-wear

Good day, Gents.

Today was another casual day for me: off from work, the last day of Psychology class, and I’m finishing the evening with Bible study. Even though I didn’t “dress up” today, I still look for any opportunity to dash a little spice into every outfit I wear.

My favorite piece in this outfit is the scarf. I’ve owned it for about five years now, and I think it will be a part of my wardrobe for the rest of my life. It’s lightweight and very versatile. I can wear it all times of year. Today I styled it with a knit navy blazer, grey v-neck tee, olive chinos and brown desert boots.

Peace.

S.O.S

So True, So True

Urbanwear Vs. Streetwear: What’s the difference?

The topic of Urbanwear versus Streetwear is something I’ve wanted to discuss on this blog for some time. What the terms “Urbanwear” and “Streetwear” specifically mean as they pertain to men’s style, fashion, and how they are categorized.

I’ve heard this topic as the focal point of debate in many a barbershop and discussed between clothing department store employees I’ve had the pleasure of working with. The question still remains: what makes a clothing brand urban or street?

I’ve always believed Urbanwear was a sort of euphemism which was marketed toward Black American hip-hop culture. Mainstream brands such as Cross Colors, Karl Kani, FUBU, Rocawear, Sean John, and AKOO got their inspiration from the inner-city. Whereas Streetwear, is something I’ve come to understand stemmed from skaters or smaller brands looking to breakout from the mainstream market brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and GAP. These brands had more individuality and exclusivity that varied from region to region.

Again I ask, what’s the difference?

Let me use this reference. I can’t speak for every Black American, but when I was growing up, the world I knew consisted of only my little city. I was totally unaware of the outside world. More specifically, the world I knew predominantly consisted of Blacks and Whites. Food, music, speech, and style where all basically categorized as a “Black thing” or “White thing”. Now that I’m older and more experienced I know better. Though when dealing with clothing brands and style, I hear “Black clothing” to their Urbanwear, and “Culturally diverse style” to Streetwear. When I see Streetwear, I want to think individuality and exclusivity. With Urbanwear I try my hardest to not think “Black thing” or “non-Black thing”.

I still believe when the industry uses the term Urbanwear, the target audience is the Black community. It branches from what mainstream hip-hop glorifies: bling, bikini-clad women, champagne, cars, and money. I don’t believe there’s an underlying racial epithet to it. Well, I would much rather not believe there’s something just below the surface. It is supposed to be culturally diverse, by the way.

In closing I see both terms as marketing ploys targeting a respective audience. The line between the brands so thin, the fashion savvy Gentleman could interweave clothing pieces from both to fit his desired style. So I guess my last question would be; since when has style been known to fit into a box? Men’s style is inspired and at the same time inspiring. Who cares what name is behind it?

Peace Gentlemen.

S.O.S

The Great Gatsby Edition

With the upcoming release of the sixth adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”, I figured why not pay homage to the 1974 version that starred Robert Redford, Mia Mia Farrow, and Sam Waterson. The film really captured the opulence and cultural explosion of the times while displaying the style and attitude of the era. It’s defintely a time period I could see myself living in. The costume design in this film was amazing. It primarily focuses on the upper crust of society, and what some may consider strictly formal wear today is what men wore everyday. Ahhh, the good ol’ days, where have the gone? Where a man left the house with a sense of dignity and respect about himself. To wear a three-piece suit was as normal as reading the newspaper to get the latest…ah, news. But who does that anymore?

 

A Week Later: Grammy Snubs

Hello Gentlemen. Just a quick thought: It’s been almost a week since the Grammy’s, and you know what I have noticed? All of the reviews, from the TV show Fashion Police, and every other fashion blog hasn’t really focused on the Men’s style at the Grammy’s. Yes, they have a few best dressed articles for us, but the majority is focused towards the women (much respect ladies). Here are a few pictures of the Men stylin’ on the red carpet.

You see, we can light up the night as well.