How did Future Relic come up with the design?
Designer Paul Kim says, "We always had a military tongue in cheek approach to our men’s tees, and a lot of women had been asking us to do some womens articles of clothing. Looking through a history book, I came upon photos from the Civil War that looked rather dapper. After some consultation with a designer, we came up with the jacket and then decided to print a decorative font on the sleeve with our brand name to give it a little more embellishment."
If you like it, buy it now! The jacket was made in a Limited Edition of 24. Paul’s advice: pair it with a simple tank, or a gypsy-style top!
$120 at Future Relic.
April 3rd, 2006
We asked: Where’s your favorite place to shop?
You said: With 54% of the vote (mind you, this poll was completely unscientific), Cheap Chic rules! Coming in second, with 23% of the vote–online shopping. Specialty stores finished third, with 14% of the vote, and Department Stores, Boutiques, and Sample Sales all came in last, with 3% of the vote each.
Omiru’s take: Can’t say that we’re surprised about the popularity of Cheap Chic….what’s not to love about fashion forward styles at dirt cheap prices. Perfect for trends that you would only want to sport for one or two seasons. Online also had a strong showing, reflecting the growing acceptance of buying style items without the benefit of trying them on first.
We were somewhat surprised, however, by the seeming unpopularity of sample sales. Perhaps it’s because of how we worded the question–what’s your Favorite place to shop. We love a good sample sale (though they’re few and far between), but for practicality’s sake, we do most of our trendhunting at Cheap Chic stores. Oh how we love H&M!
Next Question: What do you think about Nautical fashion? Is it In, or is it Out? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
April 3rd, 2006
Designer isn’t the only occupation on Parris Harris’ resume–fashion event organizing is also his forte. Whether he’s directing models to strut in that certain way, figuring out the budget of his next fashion show, or designing and constructing clothes, Harris is innovative and funky. Although his designs are out there, we definitely appreciate his ability to think outside the box.
Omiru: How did you get started in fashion design?
Parris: Once upon a time, a being by the name of Parris Harris had a love affair with the need to express. This being searched high places like Macy’s Christmas catalog and Kmart’s Super Store and low places like the depth of his soul. I had a love affair with the need to express, especially in places that call for fabulous attire like night clubs, red carpet world premieres, and Texas horse stalls. Overalls can be hot, and if you look hot, your animals may be more responsive to you. You heard it here first, folks. Write it down.
Long story short, I needed outfits, and I first started dressing myself. Fashion or clothing is one of my paints of choice and people’s bodies are notebook pads or expensive pieces of paper to pour all the lovely paints on.
What’s interesting is that circumstances suggest what to wear. They can DOWNRIGHT dress you. Poverty, pride, mourning, death, opulence, regret, sorrow, thug life, wealth, punkness, weddings, racism, hate, conservativeness, etc. I’ve always been observant of how people respond to what others wear and how we act in what we wear. If a 27-year-old accountant went dressed in an Armani suit one day, rags the next, overalls the third, and a Vivienne Westwood couture gown on Thursday, there is a good chance she would be received differently each time based on appearance alone. At some point of my existence, that realization grabbed my attention and kept it.
O: From where do you get your inspiration?
P: From the stars and the moon and the grass that minds its own business and doesn’t bother anybody and just grows. Again, in some way, poverty, pride, mourning, death, opulence, regret, sorrow, thug life, wealth, punkness, weddings, racism, hate, and the conservative all offer inspiration. The power of fashion, the fun aspect, the silliness, the history, the emotions it instills, the actors it suggests, the silence it speaks. Fashion can protect, intimidate, and demean through appearance alone. I’m a sucker for art in unexpected places (performance art) There’s all that to inspire and then some.
O: What is your design philosophy?
P: 1. Make the outrageous understandable, functional, obtainable, and within reach.
2. Make the simple scream while silent (as it does so often) and perhaps cause you to feel that feeling we get when we wished we had looked closer.
3. To cause one to enjoy and appreciate being annoyed (Love thy dreadful neighbor).
4. Make destruction beautiful to the look and acceptable regardless.
5. To enjoy just being dressed.
6. To cause you to enjoy the ugly and never want to be beautiful again.
7. Make the average girls of the club and world, boring, poor, looney and punk, as hot and sexy as the tall, blond, blue eyed, and vice versa.
8. Club wear at the office.
9. To make arty, magnificently animated, nonsense garments.
10. And of course all the other deliciously boring things like making a woman feel feminine or help a gentleman’s outsides match his ego.
O: Thoughts on the San Francisco design scene?
P: Hot, Hot, Hot….Japan mixed with NY and Paris. It’s unaware of its fashion potential. It has the freedom of Paris to wear what you want. It’s courageous. It has trendsetters on the DL (down low) so comfortable in their skin.
O: Who are your favorite designers?
P: Vivienne Westwood, Diesel, Cov’et, Channel, Jncos, Armani, Jimmy Choo, Alberta Ferretti, V.W., Serious, Snoop Dog Clothing, Outkast Clothing, Sean John, Moschino.
O: What trends do you foresee for Spring 2006?
P: New is the new. Pink isn’t going anywhere. Trashy glam with new cuts and lace. Hip Hop Couture. Men in hip, witty, sporty blazers with patches, torn seams, etc. Office meets baseball court in the work place. Punk Proms. Golf Couture. Men in smarter stripes that pop. Women in gowns before 5 p.m. again. The 1700’s revisited, but this time, women in gowns at the water cooler, walking to get the mail, in the mall, and at soccer practice.
O: Last words?
P: I love how clothing can be so accessible. Every day or every moment (depends on the person), we are blessed with the opportunity to change our clothes again…and create again. Is that great, or what?
April 3rd, 2006
