By William I. Dawson
UPTOWN met DOWNTOWN last night as B. Oyama of Harlem collaborated with Soho entrepreneurs Joey Goodwin and Curtis Rose to debut their signature UNRULY HEIR men’s clothing line. The “Gentlemen’s Club” theme embraced the best of the best, as Christiana vodkas provided the cocktails and Harlem’s own Renaissance Cigar Emporium supplied the stogies.
Goodwin and Rose, with their stylish, fashion-forward seersucker hoodies, bring together two dramatically different backgrounds: Goodwin coming from the affluent Palm Beach, Florida area, while Rose was raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Despite their diverse backgrounds, what brought them together was their love of basketball. In fact, they met on the infamous West 4th Street steel cage basketball courts, Goodwin delivering a hard foul on Rose.
Now, three years later, they’ve combined their pedigrees, combined their differences to make a hard sell with UNRULY HEIR. “It’s ‘Old English’ meets ‘street’,” says Rose of his garments, which are being worn by customers as diverse as professional football player Dhani Jones and actor Josh Hartnett.
The product line/style primarily targets adults ages 18 – 34, and captures an integration of preppy and the rebellious aspects of counter cultures. It’s marketed as a look, but even more importantly as a mindset, and for many people a way of life.
B. Oyama owner and Harlem resident Bernard Oyama is very excited to carry the line in his store, saying that the combination of his upscale menswear and the casual couture of UNRULY HEIR “represents an appreciation for the art of dressing and an attitude of refinement and sophistication in both casual and formal dress.”
In addition to the hoodies, the Spring 2007 line includes high style pants and shorts, as well as an edgy oxford and bowtie. A women’s line is scheduled to roll out in 2009. For more information, check out www.unrulyheir.com.
You can reach William at will@uptownflavor.com.
Photos by: William I. Dawson
Posted on June 22, 2007 by D. Bell