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Why is it so important that your collection is “MADE
IN THE USA”? It seems that statement is very prominent
throughout your website and your presentation.
Sit down and look at the numbers
in terms of a MADE IN USA garment, 97% of all Americans don't
own one piece of clothing that's MADE IN THE USA. Having
that niche is another reason why we started overseas. Showcasing
at all of the international fashion weeks. And when we go
over there, we are usually the only American company there.
So what we do is give them a different vibe and a different
feel. And we also show them what we are doing over here.
It’s not copycat or none of that. We show them what
Americans are doing over here.
Your new collection is called “Clean” -
- Why?
Specifically, when someone says “clean” or when
you look at my garments, that’s one thing that really
comes out because it’s very clean. My inspiration truly
just comes from this passion itself. Hopefully, when people
look at our clothing and get the first glimpse of it, they’ll
say “Wow that’s very clean!” And we even
use that concept towards our models of our last show. All
of our models had baldheads giving it more of a clean look.
How does Michael Wesetly fit in with the Perry Ellis’ men’s
suits or the Kenneth Coles?
The funny thing is that it kinda doesn’t fit. In terms
of my competition, we don’t have any competition right
now because no one out there does it the way we do it. No
one started there line hardcore overseas first. No one, in
terms of high men’s designer clothing, have all of
their clothing MADE IN THE USA. No one - - no one! We’re
one of the few, if not only, companies out there. So when
you ask “How do we fit with Perry Ellis or Kenneth
Cole?” they’re doing their own thing. We don’t
really try to go up against those guys or go head to head.
But if there is a comparison, we really compare ourselves
to the Dolce & Gabonna’s, the Versace’s,
or the D-Squared’s. I’m really more in touch
with that type of clientele. And bringing that clientele
back to the states right now is even more gratifying because
we can say we’ve been successful overseas.
A lot of people don’t realize how hands on
designers are during fashion week. Lets briefly walk thru
it. Do you choose everything from the models, to the makeup
style to the music for each show?
Some companies allocate responsibilities. This is my company
with my name on it. It’s that Michael Wesetly brand.
As we stand right now, I design…I set the music up…I
work with the models…it’s a whole 24/7 gig with
me. Everything must have my full input. So when you see our
jeans down to our polo shirts down to our ties, [everything
has] been cut from my hand completely.
How different is your New York show to Czech or
Russia’s
fashion week?
Let’s say for example we go overseas. My last show
in Prague was around 4,000 at the show. My last show here
in New York had about 560 including standing house.
Do you show the same collection at each event?
I made specific collections for those specific countries.
For example, we were in Prague just two weeks before New
York’s Olympus Fashion Week. That’s a madhouse.
We did a specific collection for that country. And we also
had one specifically for our domestic launch here.
You begin working on your next collection when?
Immediately after your showing. I already have my Fall 2006
complete.
What trends in Men’ and Women’ are you
ready to retire?
In women’s I’m not really feeling the showing
of the crack. That is so old. You will see from the clothing
we put out for our women’ collection, that if you got
it, there is a better way that you can show that you have
it, besides just going out there and flaunting it. And also
if you don’t have it, there’s also a way to show
that you do have it, in terms of having clothing. And so
I feel as that jeans showing that crack is so out…so
played.
Any plans for a women’ line in the future?
Right now I would say we have two full collections complete
for women, but you gotta enjoy dinner first before you get
desert!! We will drop our ladies line Spring 2008.
Any words of advice or wisdom for someone trying to break
into your profession or do what you do on a daily basis?
You have to find your niche. You also have to find your
style. And many people think that it’s about design
or how you make your clothing. But it’s truly about
how you run your business. My only true advice is if you
do want to do it, make sure you do it right. If you go out
trying to hold down things by yourself and you’re clueless
to the industry, it’s going to be very, very hard.
Do your research!
http://michaelwesetly.com/
250 West 57th St suite 1720
NYC 10107
T: 814.944.2276
F: 814.944.2447
Pitch Control PR
213 E. 5th St. / Basement West
New York City / NY 10003
T: 212.475.4919
F: 212.475.4808 |
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