Interview with @M641

When did you know that you wanted to make fashion?

I recall about 9 years ago. I was in this crazy crafty mode where I would buy shirts at Gabriel Brothers…take them home and “improve” them.  I always wondered why good clothes had to be so damn expensive.  I think there are a lot of women out there who feel the same. Perhaps they don’t take out their scissors and rip up new shirts.  But it was not until 2007 that I realized I could actually be part of making fashion happen.  It was at that time that my partner Subu, who is the M641 Creative and Design Director, asked me to take on the building of our very own brand.

What do you wear on Sundays?

Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays….pajamas!  That is one of the benefits of working from home.  Not exactly pajamas, more lounge wear. Oh or workout wear like tracksuits and t-shirts…just in case the workout bug bites me!  Exciting huh?

What is your Happy Hour?

Right about 4PM then it’s coffee time for M641!  Usually my partner Subu and I get really motivated about that time of day and can sit down and focus on the next half of the day!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

We are inspired by women of all walks of life and the various roles we play: mother, wife, socialite, businesswoman, traveler, etc.  Our biggest inspiration was a need in the market to make available high end designer fashion at affordable prices. Additionally, we wanted to serve the market and strike a balance between styles that are overly trendy and those that are overly ethnic. While we take into consideration the trend forecasts, we don’t let them dictate our collections from season to season.

What are your turn offs?

This answer is going to be all over the board! People in this industry who don’t respond to you!  Fast fashion and what it does to our environment.  People who are not open to new emerging talent.  The high prices of designer wear…which is really just inflated operational costs being passed on to the end-consumer.

What is your favorite word?

Simpatico…look for it to be used somewhere around Summer ‘09…wink wink.

Talk to me about the state of fashion and where you think you fit in.

I’m actually pretty concerned about “fashion” today.  Many people cannot see past trends to consider that the clothes you buy make a big impact…either positively or negatively.  Fashion actually has a profound effect on our economy and politics believe it or not.  We shouldn’t forget the impact it has on our environment and our culture as a people.

More Twitter Action

I figured I would show you a little more.  And those are authentic New England leaves!

Twitter Exclusive

I have decided that I am making a line specific to the Twitter community.  I will draw my inspiration from my interactions with my Twitter community.  This is the first instalment.  Look for more…

Vacation from YOU

I just came back from a one day vacation. I didn’t leave the house and it was amazing. For the last 6 months I have been on the go…and Sunday it came to a head. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and just needed an escape. So I went on vacation. Blackberry OFF! Laptop OFF! The only way to contact me today is to ring my door bell and see if I come to the door.

The point is that social media and running a small business is demanding. Six months of networking (offline and online), building business and a day job take a toll. It was one of the best days of my life. I went off the map. It’s funny that people notice that you have gone underground for less than 24 hours.

I turned my phone on too several “where are you” messages. What if this was 10 years ago. No one would have cared! Technology has changed the pace of communications. Moreover, the Internet Revolution has changed the way young people build relationships and communicate with everyone else.

I could go on about the generational divide in social media but I will leave that for another conversation. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle that is 2008 can be a good thing. It’s Monday and I’m focused; the time that I sacrificed was time well spent.

Take a Drive

Classic New England

What gets you going…What picks you up out of a slump? I am just going to assume that we all operate on a high level; we all outperform the competition. But what happens when you’re down? I don’t let myself sulk anymore. I take a drive through Historic New England and take in the magnificent décor. Now I have done this hundreds of times and my goal is really to get lost and stumble upon something fantastic. I often do…I’m getting quite good at finding what I want.

I’m not going to lie; I am not quite in the market for million dollar houses. I got dreams! But there is something in finding that perfect house in that perfect neighborhood. I always try and guess what the people do for a livening and know that my idea is better than that. Yeah…I can live here!

That is all I need right now…But what motivates you when you are down? What makes you take it to the next level?

Fashion Police

 

I’m not going to lie but I am not proud of Boston right now. Maybe it’s the change of season that has caught people off guard but we are seriously lacking some style as a whole. I went out last night and was disappointed to see Uggs, Timberlands and popped collars.

There is a time and place for all of those articles but please not on a Saturday night…Not in the Hub. I swear Uggs are going to give me a heart attack. I really can’t believe that they are still cool. I don’t care if they are comfortable…They are UUUGGLY. Period!

Nevertheless, I am extremely excited about this winter. Fall has been perfect and there isn’t anything better than a classic New England winter. So trash the Uggs and go with something classy and contemporary…

Look for classic looks this winter. Keep it simple and accessorize to keep your wardrobe fresh. New England is going to have a rough winter so prepare to layer and be ready for any kind of situation. Beanies, scarves and boots are going to be what sets you apart.

Also, if you plan on getting sunglasses please be an individual. If aviators look hot on you then rock them, but please don’t buy them because they are cool. If you are stuck I would go with Persol.

Keep a look out for bright colors and floral patterns for the spring. Stay tuned for previews of Happy Hour’s spring line.

Boston Perspective of Young Jeezy Album

Jeezy

 

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I picked up a copy of Young Jeezy’s latest album Recession. It had been a couple years since his last album and I hadn’t really been following him since I left Atlanta. Don’t get me wrong…I am a Jeezy fan but I was a bit disappointed with his lack of material. Perhaps it’s because I am in Boston and his mix tapes don’t make it to me.

So for me I had high expectations for the album as a whole. I wanted it to be a great follow up to a great first album. Call me a history buff but the current state of America reminds me of the 60’s. Music was one of the driving forces back then and Jeezy is well aware of that. His message is clear…We are in tough times…and “I am going to show you how to make a million”.

The album opens with a passionate rant about the recession. Personally I want more creativity and music, instead of an Atlanta anthem. I get exactly what I want 2 songs later. “By the way” Bumps! To me this is classic Jeezy…tell me a story and then kill the hook. You can’t play this song on your ipod…rock this with some subs.

Before getting to song 4 you can tell that Jeezy has been thinking and has a lot on his chest. Does Jeezy have something to prove? The game is getting more competitive. With artist like Kanye, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T.I. (fellow ALT Rapper); Young Jeezy needs to solidify himself as a Rock Star.

Skipped song 4. Good hook but I’m not a frat boy and I don’t feel like fighting. I think your second album is difficult because are you supposed to piggy back the success of your debut or completely reinvent yourself. Track 4 would have worked with me a couple years ago.

Song 6 is what I have been waiting for. First of all Jeezy and I have something in common…LOL. “Bitch I’m Amazing” is hot…it Bumps. Listen to it once and then pop it in your car…turn it up and hit the freeway. Jeezy should just rap about drugs and how nasty he is. Don’t talk about the recession…don’t tell me how to make money and don’t make slow jams. Just get blazed and Dream Big!

Next up…Song 9…I just like how he changes it up…Same theme though. But Jeezy this is good. The hook is original and catchy…Why isn’t this a single?

Why did you wait so long to drop “circulate”? Fantastic change of pace! The beat is smooth but classic raspy Jeezy on the vocals. Way to mix it up.

I think I am missing out on the mixtape scene by being in Boston. It will be interesting to see what Rusky says.

“Vacation “is a solid song. I feel it’s the calm before the storm. Drugs and money as always…but at this point in the album it works. The hook hits you when you need it and you can’t argue with Jeezy on this one. Listen to him on this track…and take a vacation…I am!

Of course anything with Kanye BUMPS….Anything with Kanye after his mom died is going to BUMP. I love this song. The whole album has been waiting for this moment. He had to have a hot single and he knew that Kanye would deliver. The Hook makes it personal. The Hook gets me jacked up. Kanye’s verse blows it out of the water. Wait for it….Wait for it…Wait for it. I bet you are already pounding your fist and bopping around the room…cause I am. Kanye just gets to you…

I say end the album with Kanye period. But that’s just me. The last track is decent. Hopefully Jeezy gets his wish…For the sake of mankind I hope Jeezy gets his wish. “We need a miracle…cause this shit is ridiculous”

Overall I think that the album was ok. It was a difficult time to release a second album and I think he had a lot to say but he really didn’t find his swagger with this album. There were several moments when I saw greatness but those records were deluded with some immature tracks. I am looking forward to his 3^rd album and I hope to see him on this winters albums from Jay-Z, Kanye West and Eminem.

-Allin Bond

Jeezy vs. Paulson

Paulson

 

Young Jeezy and U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson have a lot in common. Both have aggressive plans for recovering from America’s recent economic woes. In his new album “The Recession,” Jeezy speaks fondly of birds, likely unaware of Mr. Paulson’s decades long membership in the Nature Conservancy. Lastly, but certainly not the end of the similarities, Jeezy is affectionately known in his hometown as “the snowman” while our Treasury Secretary’s pale skin and reflective scalp may push him to make a run at the title.

 

Though their comparisons are vast, Jeezy and Mr. Paulson have different views on how to resuscitate the American economy. Jeezy takes an independent free market approach, demanding consistent output and strong management to reap benefits from the vociferous street demand. I am referring to both his tax free income and capital gains from his new album. “The Recession” combines fresh beats, authentic storytelling, and addictive ad-libs. In addition, he has enlisted industry veterans Anthony Hamilton, Kanye West and NaS to expand upon his bold thesis.

Mr. Paulson prefers to reverse the economy’s course by propping up our financial institutions with a 700 billion dollar loan. Though it may be a necessary form of socialism, it wreaks of a conflict of interest as the Treasury Secretary used to work for one of the firms he hopes to bail out. And I can assure you that Jeezy would not take such egregious asset risks by loaning (fronting) beyond capacity, the same culprit that has ravaged Wall Street.

As we move towards a new President, we will soon have another U.S. Treasury Secretary. But this financial crisis demands immediate action. A few days after its proposal, it seems like Paulson’s plan will be pushed through the legislature and enacted early next week. Chalk it up to another win for the white collar. Nevertheless, Jeezy has shown this summer that the white cuff is also a force to reckoned with. Will his economic plan have more impact than Mr. Paulson’s? Probably not. But Jeezy has hypnotized the South by providing an escape from the foreclosures and high gas prices, problems that the multimillionaire Mr. Paulson and his colleagues will never have to face. THAAAAT’S RIIIIIIGHT!!!!

-Rusky