Andre Benjamin x Holt Renfrew Launch “Benjamin Bixby”[FASHION]

I should have gone to this yesterday.

via Holt Renfrew

Spring 2009

Home Base: New York City.

Bio: Last fall, the multitalented André Benjamin, otherwise known as OutKast musician André 3000, launched his men's clothing line, Benjamin Bixby. Although the label includes his surname, he decided not to christen it with his full moniker, telling the press, "I didn't want it to be about a celebrity." As the label's designer and creative director, he's taken a completely hands-on approach and sketches every item in the collection himself.

Vision and Influences: A '30s documentary on American college football inspired the overall brand and its vintage approach. His first collection featured collegiate, preppy styles, while his spring line channels 19th-century India. "My vision," says Benjamin, "is to tell a variety of stories through the apparel experience."

Signature Style: Think dapper and eclectic meets traditional and tailored. "The Benjamin Bixby man is a rebel gent," says Benjamin. "He likes classics with extraordinary styling."

Spring 2009: Benjamin says, "It's all about colonial India: the black madras tux, the over-dyed polo with underarm details and the khaki cotton suit with a map of India lining."

Your Perfect Day: "Wake up. Find the perfect outfit to match my mood. Eat a tasty lunch. Watch American football all day. Sleep. Repeat."

MULTIPLE PERSONAS André Benjamin, aka André 3000 aka Benjamin Bixby

I have heard about Andre 3000's clothing line Benjamin Bixby for quite some time, but there was very good article in the New York Times about the project.

As André 3000 of OutKast, he suavely crafted an alter ego with a distinctive retro-preppy-nerdy style and used fashion magazines, which were captivated by his look, to promote his image. He often showed up at photo shoots with bags of his own dandy clothes and was photographed in them, as when he appeared in a long houndstooth overcoat with Kate Moss in Rolling Stone. In 2005, he made the International Best-Dressed List in Vanity Fair.

Read the whole story here.

1 - 1000, 2 - 1000, 3 - 1000...Rapper/Haberdasher

Check out the folks at Esquire who have a neat little interview with Mr. 3-Stacks discussing his clothing line Benjamin Bixby.

Via Kempt who summarized expectations of line poignantly as:

...expect it to be better than his movies, but slightly worse than his music.

I concur.