We came across this article from the July 10, 2006 Washington Post written by Robin Givhan. It is an interesting read detailing the transformation of the American menswear industry. Hartmarx, a large umbrella clothing corporation with many brands under its name that has annual sales of over half a billion dollars. Known for speaking to the average American male, this corporation is seeking a rebirth of menswear and appealing to a new customer. At it’s luxury label Hickey-Freeman, designers are introducing a “hickey” line that seeks to bridge adolescents and adulthood. The line has an updated edgy appeal with slim blazers, lean pants, shortened jackets and, “ties printed with tiny marijuana leaves and an intarsia sweater that reads, ‘Wanna hickey?’.”
The change is occurring throughout the landscape of menswear as men become aware of the power of their image to separate and individualize themselves. Young designers have come forth that are, “enamored of style rather than trends”.
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