G-Star Raw

G-Star Raw is a European fashion brand that has become famous for its designs in Raw Denim. Information regarding the companies history and story line does not make for such an interesting story, so I will spare you the boredom. But G-Star is becoming famous worldwide and it is common to find them among the trendy stores in the high-end malls.

Raw Denim is a type of jean that many say are in the purest form of jeans. It is rugged and usually very dark with solid colors.

Another thing about G-Star Raw is that it is usually tailored for a loose-fit. This would be a great alternative for the people that are anti-skinny/tight fitted/slim fitted. G-Star's designs take its influences from military clothing. The brand has expanded into other markets as well, including: shoes, accessories, and others.

Ben Sherman

Ben Sherman is the first brand I would start collecting if I had won the lottery. They have the coolest outfits, simple yet very trendy and stylish. I love the light colors and the mix of a preppy student with a modern hipster style. The prices are a bit high, but what good fashion isn't?

I feel that there clothes are tailored for the more slender, skinny bodies. The tailoring of their shirts fit me well because I am a lanky build. But they offer a variety of clothes suitable for all types and bodies. The designs originated from Jazz culture, men like Miles Davis were the influence of its early designer Benjamin Brighton Sugarman.



The part of Ben Sherman I feel that sucks is the return policy. We had a horrible time trying to return a shirt my friend bought in Vegas. They send you a check in the mail 15 days later, which I do not see the logic of. But aside from that, I love there clothing.

Ben Sherman's website: http://www.bensherman.com/

Monarchy Collection

As an Asian American myself, I look to Eric Kim as a hero. He started the Monarchy Collection after working for many other successful brands such as Interstate, Pure Garden, and Rampage. Haven't heard of them? Neither have I. Perhaps, the success of Monarchy has shadowed these other names. Kim's goal was to provide a competing American brand to go against UK brands such as Diesel and G-Star. His long term goal is to become a recognized American staple brand.



Eric Kim's rise to designer recognizability is very credible. He became the CEO of Interstate through his skills and designs. The company grew to a 36 million dollar company after he started working for them.


He started Monarchy with his fellow group member from a Porsche automotive group. His brand is featured in stores such as Metro Park and is worn by many celebrities. He combines UK rock designs with American styles.



Watch Eric Kim's interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psWRzeFG_1s

For his collection, check out www.monarchycollection.com

Obey, Taking Over.

As I walked into Metro Park and Zumies, two of the most popular stores for teenagers, the workers both advertised Obey as one of the hottest upcoming brands this year. Their products are interesting and very fun to look at. Shepard Fairey's artistic style creates a lot of curiosity in the minds of shoppers and skaters with his unorthodox artwork and relation to world events. The story follows.

Shepard Fairey started his artistic life in South Carolina with the influences of his musical and skateboarding interests. His designs are inspired by the images associated with punk, rock, hip-hop, and skateboarding. He went to school to develop his artistic creativity and learned screen printing. The image of Obey is a sketch of Andre the Giant that he drew up while teaching his friend hot to sketch.



I like Obey clothing because of its attention to fit. Many T-shirt designers do not focus on the fitting of the t-shirts, but Obey's clothing is fitted very well. The material they use is also very soft. Although many people think that $30 for a t-shirt is quite expensive, I think the quality in these shirts are not regularly found. The designs are also very nice, I would describe them as a very simple, but yet artistic creation.



Obey has dug into the other parts of clothing as well by producing jackets, dress shirts, and other goodies. It is very common to see people wearing a Obey jacket, usually leather. Obey has done an outstanding job in fashion design and artistic creativity.



Check out Obey at: http://obeyclothing.com/

Ed Hardy!

Ed Hardy has become a household name for people that have the slightest bit of interest in fashion. The styles are very distinct, every piece of clothing has a Japanese fused with American piece of artwork. Primarily known for its clothing line, Ed Hardy is targeting other markets. Some of them include: Ed Hardy Beer, Ed Hardy lighters, and others. The reason I chose to write about Ed Hardy is because the designs and art work has an interesting story.

Don Ed Hardy, the designer, started his creative drawings by tattooing. In 1973, Hardy went to Japan to study classical Japanese tattooing. He adopted styles from Horihide, a master Japanese tattoo artist. He fused his own American styles with Japanese designs. This is the origins of Ed Hardy designs that we see so often in hip places.

Christian Audigier is the man that made the clothing line and popularized the brand. He opened Ed Hardy stores in all the hip places and tailored the line to appeal to the young but well-paid.

Ed Hardy designs are known for its very colorful, aesthetics, Asian-inspired designs. Many people love his designs for its wild but classy look.

Big named, expensive, and flashy jeans have taken over American fashion. The biggest name? I'm sure you have heard of them: Rock and Republic, True Religion, 7 for All Mankind, Joe Jean's, etc... Each brand has an interesting story to tell. Rock and Republic is my choice, so I'll give you the brief history.

Michael Ball and Andrea Bernholtz founded Rock & Republic after meeting each other at the Viper Lounge in Hollywood. Ball developed his designer talents while creating suits for his cycling team. Victo

ria Beckham would later join the company and design her own line. The VB line was known for its bum-lifting effects.

Rock & Republic's designs show the rock star-like attitude that is evident in Ball, Bernholtz, and Beckham. The signature double R's are shown on their jean's back pocket. These R's are commonly seen among the cool kids around school. Rock & Republic is a definite choice for the wild and crazy but classy crowd. Check them out at: www.RockandRepublic.com

Threadless T's!

T-shirts have become the choice for everyday wear for many people. The T-shirt departments of major brands have become very creative by designing a graphic, color, or fit suitable for every person. One of the brands that have recently blown up is Threadless. Jake Nickell and Jacob DeHart started the company with a thousand dollars. Since then, the company has grown to become of the most popular brands among college kids.

The competitive designing for this company is what gives them the edge. The designs of the t-shirts are submitted by an online community. About 1,500 people design shirts each week, 10 of them are voted to be made in the online store. The winners are given a prize money of $2000.



Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it? Threadless has found a way to respond to the ever changing fashion of college kids weekly. People can now find a place to show off their artistic talents in a whole new way as well. Check them out: http://www.threadless.com/