Let’s take the time to look back from where we came. 2008 gave us the 80”s runaround, the Military Desert Storm and the college grunge look. What will come next? Will we emerge ourselves into the educated clean tailored look or better yet will fashion even be as important. Do you feel that this recession is going to take a toll on what’s important fashion wise? Therefore make fashion not a label thing, but more of an individual statement.

By Keith Wardlaw

New Era, with the Presidential Elect Barack Obama and will be releasing Obama fitted hats in early January. The Villa will be one of few spots to purchase the fitted hats. Also, there will be 6 unique fitted hats available for purchase. There is one fitted with the Chicago Bulls throwback theme and is probably the best one that will be released. There are also three different one with keys words from Obama’s winning speech. Another fitted will have the number 1600 on the front commemorating the address of the White House. Finally, there is an all black fitted hat with the Capital building on the front. This whole line of Obama fitted hats is crazy, so look out for an early January 2009 release at select Villa locations.

By: Adrian Gonzalez

The Villa now has 4 new, hot, and fresh New Era x Villa branded fitted hats available. These hats follow a Major League Baseball team color scheme. The yellow and black fitted follows the throwback Pittsburgh Pirates color scheme and it my personal favorite. The burgundy and white hat follows the throwback Philadelphia Phillies color scheme is fire! The navy and white hat follows the legendary New York Yankees color scheme. Finally, the black and red fitted hat goes with part of the original company colors. These four hats just released last week, so get yours before they sell out. They are all available in select Villa locations.

By: Adrian Gonzalez

Apparently Mr. West will be taking a short break from music to become an intern. Yes, an intern! Kanye West offered his services for free to the high-end fashion line Louis Vuitton and Raf Simmons. He has always had some type of passion for fashion and Louis Vuitton is Kanye’s favorite brand. When Raf Simmons was approached with the situation, he was shocked but knew that Kanye was serious about the situation. Simmons also mentioned that the thought of West being an intern is a little extreme. Nothing is official yet, it would be nice to have something in common with Kanye, which would be being an intern. In other Kanye news, he has been seen in public giving a preview of his own clothing line which is called Pastelle.

By: Adrian Gonzalez

The person that came up with the concept of creating the Nike Goadome Boots is a genius! Ever since releasing outside of New York City, the Nike Boots have been a hit, especially here in Philadelphia. For years, other brands have tried to come out with a solid boot in both a wheat/suede material and an all black leather material. Timberland has pretty much set the standards for both, but Nike has really done big with the Nike Goadome Boots. The key aspects of the Nike Boots that make the boot stand out are that they are durable, offer a lot of comfort, prevent trail slip-and-slide, and overall they have a fresh feel. Now, it seems that Timberland will still have a tight grip on the market for wheat/suede boots, but it looks like Nike will take over the black/leather boots market. These are so popular, that even up-and-coming hip-hop artist Wale, made a song and video titled “Nike Boots.” He actually just came out with the video this week and is getting a lot of love. The Nike Goadome boots are available in several color combinations and are available at your local Villa location.

By: Adrian Gonzalez

After appearing at the Magic Fashion Convention earlier this year, rapper T.I.’s clothing line, Akoo, has finally hit the shelved of popular fashion stores. Even though T.I. was involved with some personal issues, he did not allow it to stop his business venture in realeasing the Akoo line. To celebrate the release, T.I held a party in New York City at the Taj Lounge. At the party he showed off coats, jeans, jackets and other fashion items. The line released earlier this week and has been receiving a lot of buzz on the streets. If anyone is wondering what AKOO stands for, it is an acronym for “A King of Oneself.” Akoo clothing is now available at select Villa locations.

By: Adrian Gonzalez

T-shirt wearers around the world seem to be endlessly searching for that ideal t-shirt that is so soft and comfortable that you never want to take it off. However, have you noticed that this search is decreasing in difficulty? The feel of the tee shirt has drastically changed over the last few years. Do you tend to favor the softer clothes in your closet over abrasive ones? Gone are standard weight jersey cotton tees, the stiff fabric that may be ideal for the ball court but not so great for the bedroom. Designers have broken down fabric fibers to make shirts thinner and more gauze-y, making fabric softeners almost obsolete. You can pick up 2 almost identical T-shirts and they can feel very different to the touch. The difference is due to a variety of factors. For starters, quality makes a huge difference. That’s why softer tees are more expensive, while cheaper tees are relatively inexpensive. Thread count is another huge factor. If the tee is made of high quality fabric, it most likely contains a 200+ count, referring to how many threads make up an inch of the fabric. Also, manufacturers are implementing many new methods and technology to create a softer feel. Combing techniques remove tough fibers before cotton is spun into thread. Enzyme washes, peaching, burn outs and slub cottons have also made the new tee shirt generation more comfortable than ever. Warning: This trend may have you feeling yourself – literally and figuratively speaking.

By: Andréa Nelson

In the months leading up to the general election on November 4th, politics have flooded popular culture with more intensity than Lil’ Wayne’s hottest track and Facebook combined. All the mayhem has been prominently on display – literally. Obama’s face graces t-shirts, his inspiring words grace buttons, hats, jewelry – you name it. Fashion designers worldwide have responded to Obama-mania by making great clothes so people can express their political preference. Many websites specializing in custom clothing have now added a “Barack the Vote” section, where Obama fans and artists can upload artwork that may end up on the chests of other Obama supporters all over the globe. Also, sneaker fanatics can find incredible custom Obama sneakers online. Whether or not Barack fashions are for you, they certainly influenced the polls, as a united party jumped on the Obama bandwagon. And whether or not you were a Barack fan from day one, support his vision by rocking some paraphernalia now and again. History has been made. Are you fired up and ready to go? YES WE CAN!

By:Andréa Nelson

The wallet chain trend is spreading like ketchup, originated from the punk-rock culture and links fashion and function – no pun intended. Even in a recession, having the right accessories is important– including a hot jean wallet chain. This old school accessory has been catching on in hip-hop fashion as an innovative new style that as usual, all the hip-hop stars are wearing. Pocket watches of the last century were the inspiration of the modern day jean wallet chain. As a historically functional accessory, it has catapulted to popularity by serving a fashion purpose – (cause let’s face it, wallet chains look kind of hot), and a function purpose (cause we’re in a recession and thieves may jack your wallet – even if it’s on fire and the fire department are on their way.)

Men have usually kept their wallets in the back pocket of their jeans, either with or without a jean wallet chain due to the wallet’s bulkiness. However, a few things have changed. For starters, carrying a wallet in a back pocket makes it an easy target for theft and pick-pocketing, unless you have a jean wallet chain. Secondly, trends have changed. Dress pants and high-end trousers, no longer always have rear pockets – and the wallet chain was born. These chains are manufactured in various finishes – gold, chrome, brass, etc, various lengths – from short and sensible to long and ornate. They also can incorporate trendy detail – skulls, cross-bones, studs, etc. To get the chain that suits you best, you just need to know where to shop. Also, many wallets from all brands and price points now feature chrome links so that the customer has the option of attaching a wallet chain at will. So try to incorporate this trend… your swag – and your stacks, may thank you and return the favor.

By:Andréa Nelson

All shades of strawberry can now be found in men’s fashion. From Lacoste to Sean John and from Larry King’s suspenders to Cam’ron’s you-name-it, pink is a common color for contrast-collared shirts, many fine dress shirts, ties, and pocket squares. Pink polos in particular were extremely popular in the 1980’s, and have made a huge revival in the past five years – largely due to great marketing by many top designers and brands. Softer pink dress shirts offer a very formal yet approachable look – it does not compromise one’s manhood. Actually, a light and fresh pink looks very complementary on most men, especially those men with darker complexions. As with most trends however, to be a successful pink-wearer, you absolutely must be able to pull it off. The social stigma against certain colors seems to be over, but even the most confident brotha should be prepared to face some suspicious glances. Even still, that’s a small price to pay for a playful, stylish, memorable image.

By: Andréa Nelson

Why choose between shoes that make a fashion statement and footwear that actually serves a purpose when you can have the best of both worlds? The bottom line is that fashion conscious and athletic shoppers no longer have to choose. Hybrid fashion-function shoes are making a heavy impact for everyday wear. We can find shoes that are meant for inclement weather and rocky terrain with one too many buckles, running shoes with excess fashion stitching in some blinding neon hue, or even basketball shoes trimmed with snakeskin – yeah – baby blue and grey snakeskin. Maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but when last have you seen an actual snake slide out from under any rock with skin THAT color? Anyhow, I digressed and I’ll admit that most fashion-function footwear serve more of a fashion purpose that a function one. But it’s a small price to pay for looking your flyest while soaring through the air during your NBA-worthy dunk. So go score yourself some sneaks and play both sides of the fence. Heed this warning: if you’re about to run a marathon of sorts, I suggest you leave the baby blue and grey snake skin sneaks right there in the closet next to the dominatrix-looking ones. Please buy some proper running shoes if you want to give yourself a winning chance. Thank you.

By: Andréa Nelson

This trend may not be for the fashion laggards but those of you willing to take a risk this season may appreciate refreshing your fall wardrobe in an effortless way. Deep v-neck shirts and sweaters are popping up on the backs of celebrities and male models with a vengeance. V-neck sweaters are perfect for layering over a button down shirt, while v-neck shirts can be rocked solo. The deep V t-shirt evolved from the popularity regular white tees have experienced within the past five to seven years. The “white tee” was a nice, really inexpensive, good-looking item that would always look
fresh in the summer and was therefore embraced by lots of people from varied backgrounds. Like most great fashion trends, as soon as the basic white tee became too universal, designers aimed to redefine it.

Let’s be honest, the V-neck look is a little too fashion forward for the average Joe. The trend speaks volumes. It shows that a guy is a little more secure about themselves than the guy who chooses to wear that dress shirt, or a crew neck. American culture is moving toward a more unisex style of dress
and metrosexuality is being pushed by mainstream media and becoming more conventional. The growing popularity of the deep v-neck is part of a larger trend where guys need to pay more attention to their clothing if they want to stand out. They are being held to the same standards that women have been held to for years. Women are now demanding that guys look a certain way. Just be careful how low you go. Trends evolve but visible chest hair was - and never will be in style.

By: Andréa Nelson

With Kris Cross’s backwards gear being the exception, it’s hard to find a truly original trend these days. Case and point: T-Pain’s overused vocoder “signature” for instance. As celebrities constantly travel the world for leisure and business purposes, they may naturally absorb a trend or two – or even become inspired by their experiences. Even regular folk are guilty as charged. As of late, scarves in every shade, print, and size have become a fashion staple in hip hop and mainstream culture. Everyone from industry heavyweights such as Jermaine Dupri, Kayne West, Jay-Z and Chris brown to pop culture a-listers such as Jessica Alba, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Mischa Barton and Fergie have been seen dressing up an otherwise drab outfit with this hot fall accessory.

Not too extraordinary right? You may be wondering what could possibly be wrong with a meaningless scarf that will probably die off and ascend to trend heaven by my next post. Well it’s called a kaffiyeh (pronounced kuh-fee-uh) and besides being the fashion trend of the moment, the scarf also has a rich political history. Traditionally, the scarf is a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, as Palestinian peasants wore the
cloth over their heads in solidarity against British rule in the 1930s. Its identity was set in the 60s when Arafat’s resistance movement adopted it in the fight against Israel. However, as the checkered Middle Eastern scarf has gained popularity this season, people with Muslim, Palestinian, or Middle Eastern roots are concerned that the trend is diluting the political message. This is sparking a heated debate regarding the commercial innovation of the trend and Muslims are taking offense to the style. The situation is stimulating an even wider divide between people of Middle East backgrounds and the hip hop community. However, those in opposition may be unfairly stereotyping the industry, failing to condemn or acknowledge the actresses and actors in mainstream media who have adopted the accessory as well.

Is all the frenzy warranted? Is it being over-analyzed? Speak on it. Controversy aside, the kaffiyeh is a great way to bring a look up-to-date. It can be used for warmth in uncertain weather or even for covering up questionable evidence that may have resulted from last night’s antics (Don’t front, you know you’ve used your only turtle neck to cover up evidence before). Hey, I’m just offering you a better, cooler – and
trendier alternative.

By: Andréa Nelson

Anyone who still associates hip hop with baggy clothing in 2008 is from another planet …or at least they’ve been living under a rock for the last 3 years or so. Soulja Boy fanatics who love looking like they are swimming in their clothing probably didn’t get the memo. Well here it is better late than never right. A great pair of sharply-tailored denim jeans have become a priority among the “must haves” in a man’s closet, thanks to a laundry list of mainstream artists who have contributed to the trend. What’s more, urban designers have started focusing even more on the fit as well as design.

The fashion world and the streets have seamlessly found common ground, as both worlds have welcomed tailored denim with open arms. Many factors have influenced urban fashion’s “dressier” tendencies. To begin with, when baggy clothes were over-saturating the market, customers wanted to feel comfortable without looking like everyone else. Also, hip hop lyrics are validating the cleaner, dressed-up look. (We bet you’ll start humming a rap verse before you’re finished reading this article.) Not to mention another huge factor – customers no longer want to look like a walking advertisement. Unless of course you’re Diddy himself – then we’ll give you a pass. Still skeptical? Not to worry, we’re not talking about your grandpa’s definition of dressing up. We’re talking dressing the part – with a casual modern twist. This new fit has all the same qualities that put denim at the forefront of urban fashion to begin with. So slim down, and clean up nice.

By: Andrea Nelson

It’s no secret that fashion is evolving in menswear - FAST. Gone are the days when men could make excuses, claiming they “don’t have as many options as women.” Gone are the days when men’s street fashion fit a safe and sensible “formula,” far removed from any contemporary runway. On the contrary, a growing number of men are actually incorporating trendy elements as they discover their own distinctive style.

In 2006, we were suddenly bombarded with bold graphic prints and embroidery. Funky, rock n’ roll inspired guns, roses, wings, funky swirls, and every imaginable pattern graced hoodies, track jackets, and of course, our ever favorite screen printed t-shirts. In 2008 however, these graphics, once intrinsic to women’s clothing have made their way onto more dressy items, including men’s blazers, button down shirts and even corduroys! From the VIP room to the boardroom, men can confidently blend their own definition of business casual and “grown and sexy” in one cohesive look. Bright colors and delicate hues are in vogue, adding another level of effortless swag to what man wants to express. Especially in menswear, fashion keeps repeating, but incorporating this trend, even subtly, has two major advantages. For starters, each piece can look fresh, innovative, and unique. Every. Single. Time. As for the second advantage? Women love detail. You do the math.

By: Andréa Nelson

All celebrities have just about all the money they need to have the most “swag” in whatever field they are in. In the hip-hop game, it sometimes or maybe always feels like a competition to show off who has the most swag. It could be from wearing a lot of jewelry, brand name clothes that is very limited, or even sneakers that they only have access to. But, what is the definition of swag? The definition of swagger from Dictionary.com is “to walk or strut with a defiant or insolent air.” To back up one’s swag, one has to have the right gear and “rock” it right. Many hip-hop artists probably think they have the most swag in the game right now, but who is actually on top?

My list of hip-hop artists with the most swag include: Jay – Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Diddy. What’s your opinion on what is “swag?” Also, how does it have an effect on you?

- AGE

A lot of people dress the way they do because either they are very unique and fashionable, or they are inspired by someone or something. Many people refer back to music videos or just might find someone dressed hot in a random TV appearance. Living in a huge city full of style, I see many people every day dressed in so many different styles; from crazy colored sneakers to Tims, graphic t-shirts to polo shirts, and from fitted jeans to baggy jeans. So I put out this question to all of “You.” Who or what inspires your look? Please Comment!

- AGE