Reginald Ferguson [00:00:01]: Hello. I'm Red. Tiff [00:00:02]: And I'm Tiff. And we're the fashion geeks. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:04]: Trying to make New York. Tiff [00:00:06]: And the world. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:06]: Well, New York is the world. Tiff [00:00:07]: A little flyer, one outfit Reginald Ferguson [00:00:09]: And podcast. Tiff [00:00:10]: At a time. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:14]: Yeah. Back. Oh, absolutely. You guys can laugh. It's been a minute. Tiff [00:00:20]: You've been you're a little excited there. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:22]: Well, yeah. Because, yeah. It's been a while. Right, Serge? Thank you. And the reason why is because I've been waiting to do this again. Tiff [00:00:30]: I had a job. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:31]: You had a jobby job. Tiff [00:00:32]: I actually had to work. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:34]: You were working seriously. Tiff [00:00:35]: Some serious hours. No time for creativity. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:39]: No. And who are you? Tiff [00:00:40]: I'm Tiffany. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:41]: I'm Reg. Tiff [00:00:42]: I'm fashion geek number 2. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:43]: I'm fashion geek number 1. Tiff [00:00:44]: And we are together. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:46]: Yep. The duo. Tiff [00:00:49]: New York fashion geeks. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:52]: I thought people knew that by now, but, yes, you you've made it clear. Tiff [00:00:55]: To do an intro. You Always have to do that. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:57]: Intro. Now we're into the episode. Tiff [00:00:59]: Right. You gotta always, like you know, that gets us pumped when we talk about who we are. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:03]: I'm no. I'm pumped. I'm pumped because I'm pumped because we get to do this again. We haven't done it for a minute. Tiff [00:01:08]: I know. It's been a while. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:09]: Yes. I I And now we're making up for lost time. Tiff [00:01:12]: I had withdrawal symptoms. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:13]: Oh, I'm glad. Yes. I hope the listeners did too. Tiff [00:01:16]: I hope so too. We've Reginald Ferguson [00:01:17]: never done it. Producer didn't even go, wow. It's been a minute. He just was like, alright. Let's go. Tiff [00:01:22]: He's a busy man. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:23]: Yeah. I know. We're just one of many Tiff [00:01:25]: We are. Podcasting. But the thing is he still gives us the special Reginald Ferguson [00:01:28]: attention. Love. Tiff [00:01:29]: And she But Reginald Ferguson [00:01:30]: I I was just like, hey, Kaye. How about Yeah. Exactly. Nothing. Just nothing. Tiff [00:01:43]: It's alright. It's alright. I know he missed us. I could tell on his face. He's got a big old smile Reginald Ferguson [00:01:48]: on his face right now. I think he smiled because he was jamming me. That's why he's smiling. Tiff [00:01:54]: Whatever it takes, a smile is worth it. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:57]: Yes. Tiff [00:01:59]: So, Reg, you've had a lot of time without me. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:01]: Yes. And With no with no f's because Tiff [00:02:04]: we can't do Reginald Ferguson [00:02:05]: this without you. Tiff [00:02:05]: You haven't been sitting around twiddling your thumbs. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:08]: No. And pop. Tiff [00:02:08]: No. You've been a little busy man too. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:10]: Okay. I'm not So Tiff [00:02:11]: where I've been working, making almighty dollar. And not to say you you've also been working as well. Yes. You've also had some a wonderful opportunity, taking part in an experience. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:23]: Do you Tiff [00:02:23]: wanna let our And pop. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:25]: Listeners in on that. Sure. Absolutely. I I did a post on this, quite a while ago, but I got accepted into the creative entrepreneurial program Here in the city. Thank you. Thank you, Search. Oh, thank you. Tiff [00:02:39]: It's by the Actors Fund. Right? Reginald Ferguson [00:02:41]: Yes. It is. Yes. It is. They accept people in all performance unions, and I'm down with all the unions. I'm SAG, AFTRA, and Equity. Tiff [00:02:50]: In case you guys don't know, he's also a performer. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:53]: No. No. I'm just down with the performance union. So Tiff [00:02:58]: He has multiple streams of income. And pop. He is a businessman. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:03]: I'm a businessperson. Yes. Tiff [00:03:04]: What you gotta do. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:05]: So been accepted into the program. The 1st track is still going. I'm actually on to 2 other tracks as well. So, yeah, I just wanna I wanna up this business another notch. Tiff [00:03:20]: That's what you have to do. You you know, you're always learning. Business people, Impop. I should always know that you're always learning. You know? You yeah. Yeah. You must have that. Otherwise, you will not grow. Tiff [00:03:32]: You will not become the next level, which is what we always strive to be. You know? You can't stay at the same level for a long time. You get bored. You get stagnant. Impop. Your brand gets sort of bland. It's a brand bland. So, Reginald Ferguson [00:03:47]: Oh, wow. Tiff [00:03:48]: See how I did that? Reginald Ferguson [00:03:49]: Yeah. I did, but I don't want that to me. Tiff [00:03:51]: No. You don't. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:52]: To us. Tiff [00:03:53]: Right. You know? So you always should be learning. And if you're not actively learning in what you're doing, then seek out learning opportunities to force you to sort of think outside the box or think next level, always learn. So I'm I'm happy you got that opportunity. I was so rooting for you. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:08]: Oh, no. Thank you. I I really appreciate it. Big shout out, to that crew. And, yeah, I'm learning and I'm growing. I wanted to reflect in the business, certainly from an aesthetic standpoint, Tiffany, you and I talked about that. We're gonna keep that on the low, but got some changes y'all that I gotta. And pop. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:30]: Oh, I won't tell the changes. Yeah. Yeah. Please. Tiff [00:04:30]: Changes are you know, changes doesn't matter until it happens. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:34]: Right. Tiff [00:04:35]: No need to talk about it. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:36]: No. Yeah. I don't I don't wanna I don't wanna talk about it. Yeah. The words of my late grandfather, one of the things only constant is change. Tiff [00:04:42]: Car oh, Yes. And it's so true. And, you know, we're kinda sorta talking in the same realm of where you and I were discussing you sent me 2 articles about 2 gentlemen who are change makers in the fashion industry. Yeah. They're vanguards. Impop. They're, I like the word changemakers. I'm gonna use it again. Tiff [00:05:05]: Change makers. They just, and they're leveling up left and right. And pop. I, you sent me these articles. I'm like, oh, let me just read. And then I started reading, Reginald Ferguson [00:05:13]: and then I clicked on Tiff [00:05:14]: a link and read some more. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:15]: And then I and then I did a Google search and read some more. And And then I did another Google search and read some more. Tiff [00:05:20]: I just kept on reading about both of these gentlemen. And I was like, these guys these guys, they're the Impac. Story. They're exactly sort of, I guess, a road map to where, you know, we you know, you wanna And pop. And you're, you know, up in your game in this fashion industry. Taking taking your idea and your concept and your design and your creativity and taking it to the next level and taking that to the next level and then taking that to the next level and having a voice in this in in this industry. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:50]: Sure. Tiff [00:05:50]: So I just, wanna Wanna just do that little segue there into, Reginald Ferguson [00:05:57]: No. It's a good segue, but would you like to tell the listeners who you're talking about? Tiff [00:06:01]: Yeah. I was gonna I Gave you the finger to you know? Maybe you wanna do that or you want me to do it? Reginald Ferguson [00:06:05]: Well, you you should do because you keep on talking about these 2 people. They're anonymous right now. Tiff [00:06:10]: I got I received Impromptu. Articles from you. 1 about Virgil Abloh Reginald Ferguson [00:06:13]: Yes. Tiff [00:06:14]: And about Off White. His business Off White and how he got called out movie. How he got called out for posting a picture of his Italian compatriots, his designers, for being all white, basically. Oh. See how I did that? Reginald Ferguson [00:06:30]: Wow. Well, you're allowed. Tiff [00:06:32]: You could say the same thing. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:34]: No. No. No. You're part of the club. Tiff [00:06:36]: Yeah. Well, this is we're speaking. And pop. We're this we're we're Reginald Ferguson [00:06:39]: setting it out there. Yes. Tiff [00:06:40]: I know. I'm I'm just saying that. Other other article you sent me was is about, Pierre Moss. And pop. And, Reginald Ferguson [00:06:46]: I'm just impressed that I couldn't stump you. Tiff [00:06:49]: Yeah. I I did my research, dude. You gotta know me by now. I do my research. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:52]: Wanted to say until you did the research. Tiff [00:06:55]: Impa. Because it's spelled p y e r m o s s. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:59]: So what'd you wanna say, Tiff? Tiff [00:07:01]: It's the American version and the Haitian version of his mother's last name, and I wanted to say Pyramoss. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:08]: Yes. That's what I wanted you to say. Tiff [00:07:10]: You got me to say it. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:11]: Damn. I still did. I did. I win. Give me a ding. Thank you. Tiff [00:07:16]: But I you know, in my reading, his father's Haitian, so it's Pierre Mas. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:21]: Well, I thought his parents were Haitian. Tiff [00:07:23]: Well, his father's Haitian. You know, he didn't mention whether his mother was Haitian or not, the article I read. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:29]: And pop. Tiff [00:07:29]: But the pronunciation is p l, which I really like. I like that. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:33]: But anyway It it well Tiff [00:07:35]: It's it's doesn't it's not sound the way it's spelled. You would think you would, you know Reginald Ferguson [00:07:39]: Well, that's Tiff [00:07:40]: that's that's Reginald Ferguson [00:07:41]: black spelling. Tiff [00:07:42]: And the and the article you sent me is, Impackel you sent me is, his, interview with Vogue Magazine about he how he wants to sort of take, oh, like, be a huge new brand In pop. In the fashion market. The global fashion market. And he wants to do it by being an umbrella company. Kind of like, let me make sure I say this Right? I had to note it down. I gotta get my initials in the right order. LVMH. Yeah. Tiff [00:08:11]: Louis Vuitton, Moet, Hennessy. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:13]: Yeah. Of course. Tiff [00:08:14]: That's a big umbrella company of all these major brands. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:17]: Yeah. For decades. Tiff [00:08:18]: And he wants he wants to create his own. That's huge. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:21]: As well we should. But you're talking about them separately. I think, ultimately, we're gonna combine them, but why don't we just do 1 at a time? Well, I Tiff [00:08:29]: wanted you know, when you sent me these articles, I'm like, we need to talk about these dudes together because I think their first of all, their entree into the fashion world has been recent. It's been in the last, once 2013. I think they both sort of really splashed Reginald Ferguson [00:08:45]: Well, they yeah. They're contemporary. Tiff [00:08:47]: In 2013. They're Super contemporary. We've had a segment in the past called fashion heroes. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:53]: Yes. Tiff [00:08:54]: And, you know, we dealt with, Impop. You know, the heroes that have affected affected us in our past. And I guess these guys could kinda be fashion heroes, contemporary fashion heroes, you know, of this day and age. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:06]: Well, they have to put some more time in. I don't think you become a hero Well, they overnight. Tiff [00:09:10]: The reason why I call them heroes is because of what they've been a been able to accomplish in a small amount of time. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:17]: Okay. Tiff [00:09:17]: And their influence on the fashion industry. And where they came from to where they are now, I just think both of these gentlemen are important to us. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:29]: I doubt. Tiff [00:09:30]: I my mind is blown with the work that they've done. I'm a hard worker. These dudes, Reginald Ferguson [00:09:37]: And pop. Tiff [00:09:37]: They make hard they make my hard work look like, it's a cake. You know? I can really appreciate what they Reginald Ferguson [00:09:43]: hustling. Tiff [00:09:43]: What they've done. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:45]: Can't knock it. Tiff [00:09:45]: Yeah. So, I I mean, we can't really call them fashion heroes because, like you said, the the time hasn't passed. We don't know where they're gonna be in the next 10 years. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:53]: Fashion effectors. Tiff [00:09:54]: Or vanguards. Fashion vanguards. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:56]: I like that. Tiff [00:09:58]: I like using fancy words. That's a that's a scrabble word that's gonna make you a lot of points. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:04]: Duly noted. I'm not Alright. Tiff [00:10:05]: Just like Reginald Ferguson [00:10:06]: really played it again. Tiff [00:10:06]: Alright. So let's let's you wanna dive in? Reginald Ferguson [00:10:09]: I've I've only been waiting. Tiff [00:10:11]: Alright. And pop. So I I just have Virgil blow first in the list just because, I don't know, they just he ended up there. And And, also, we kinda sorta touched on there's, you know, there's a big change happening in the fashion industry right now, all based on insensitivity in design, and racial insensitivity, and Virgil Abloh, being called out for having a, a, you know, all white, off white staff Reginald Ferguson [00:10:42]: And not a non multicultural. Tiff [00:10:45]: Diverse staff Reginald Ferguson [00:10:47]: Right. Tiff [00:10:47]: Sort of puts him in the conversation. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:49]: Absolutely. It's been in the conversation for the past few weeks. That's why I wanted to hit on it. Tiff [00:10:54]: And pop. And we might be a little behind just because it's taking a little time to get the studio. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:58]: Well, we're back, and this is relevant. Tiff [00:11:00]: It's it's gonna be relevant for a while, so that's why this is still timely. And, one thing about what I read is, and I I think what's most important that I would like to say about, mister Abloh is is his response to being called out. I mean, he responded by listing all of the diverse people he's collaborated with in all of his designs and design collaborations. And pop. And he even said that the picture was a moment in time, and it was just one arm of his design team. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:38]: And it was the picture are you referring to Tiff [00:11:40]: The picture of his, off white brand in Milan, and it was just his Italian designers. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:46]: Right. Tiff [00:11:47]: And And pop. He's like, this is just one facet of my design team. I've designed with this person, and and I've collaborated with this person and that. And he just sort of listed people off. But I think what he was being called out for was not having diversity in the design team level of whatever capsule you're working with, whether you're working in the United States or you're working in Italy or He he I don't know everywhere he has designed, houses, but he is global. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:20]: Yes. Tiff [00:12:21]: So I I don't know if Impop. Hit the lack of diversity applies to the other places, the other design houses he has. But in that one particular, I would say there was truth in calling him out in that. There was not a single designer on that team who was a person of color. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:39]: Well, as you were doing that, I don't think you realize our producer search was shaking his head vehemently. Tiff [00:12:45]: Meaning? Reginald Ferguson [00:12:46]: Meaning? Meaning that, like, it's the typical response of when someone says that Tiff [00:13:02]: Clear. Very clear. And that's kinda sort of my take too. It's like, you know, you're listing all these people you collaborated with. But, you know, you know, Gucci's going out of their way because of their, major faux pas, And pop. And they've established all kinds of entree points for young designers of color, mixed races, whatever to come in on the bottom level and work their way up into actual designing, not collaborating. Like, actual having a word and say in the divine in an I'm sorry. In the design process of the House of Gucci. Tiff [00:13:37]: So I I thought that was significant in his response. But I I mean, you have to do I I don't know. I don't know what his other teams look like, so I can't comment on that. It was just a sort of the way he responded, I wanted to address. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:55]: Well, certainly, from a African American perspective, here's how I feel. Is the criticism legit? I don't truly know, but what I do know is this. He is in rarefied air right now and to his credit. So Off White launched in 2013. In 2015, he was the only American, much less African American, to become a finalist for the LVMH, prize for young fashion designers. So that's impressive. You know, he started with Kanye, and now he's on his own. He runs menswear for Louis Vuitton. Tiff [00:14:38]: You can't beat that. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:39]: No. You can't. You can't beat that with a sticker or a bat. So the point is I love the impact, But I think what we're also talking about is the effect from the impact. And certainly, You have a variety of choices. Is this about pulling somebody up, or is it just about making the impact through who you are? So Tiff [00:15:05]: And there's a lot to be said about that. It's a slower change. You're making you're you're it's it's a slower cause and effect, And pop. But the fact that you are being who you are in the position that you are, change will happen. But is it not happening fast enough in this day and age? Reginald Ferguson [00:15:23]: The change never happens quick enough for the people who are affected. It just doesn't. As African American, I can attest to that. That's Tiff [00:15:33]: So When you think about the long history of the world, and it's true. It's Impop. Incremental when it comes to Reginald Ferguson [00:15:41]: It's woefully slow. So fashion isn't specific or unique to that. He is up for a CFDA award this year. I wish we could get tickets, CFDA. Can you hook us up? It's just a few weeks away at the Brooklyn Museum. Tiff [00:15:58]: Oh, that would be very nice. Reginald Ferguson [00:16:01]: Fan was listening if you could if you hook If you hook a brother up, please. But Tiff [00:16:05]: Share this share this with somebody that you know that you think might know that you think might know. Reginald Ferguson [00:16:10]: But but beyond that, It's always been acknowledged that if you are a person of color In a rarefied position that there should be some responsibility about helping others. Tiff [00:16:29]: I think that also comes with people gonna try to tear you down as soon as they can. Reginald Ferguson [00:16:34]: That's fine. But what you need to understand is the people tearing down Are us. So meaning not us as podcasters, us as African Americans. The criticism has been from African Americans. It is not from people who look like you. So let's be abundantly clear here. So Is there some legitimacy to it? One could argue yes, but I'm never going to disavow the impact that he's made on streetwear through Off White. The fact that he is running Louis v, I'm not saying he's off the hook. Reginald Ferguson [00:17:14]: I just don't know because I'm not that intimately involved. Tiff [00:17:18]: Right. But I have to say his only critic his his critics are not only African American. They do take there's a whole scope of critics out there because we gotta go back. Let's backtrack to his brand, his Impop. Off white brand. Reginald Ferguson [00:17:32]: Well, the yeah. Well, that criticism is different, though. Let's let's make it apples to apples. That's true. That criticism is, is he biting? So I'm going old school. Is he biting other brands? Because that's been in the that's been in the conversation for a while. I've seen stuff. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:17:51]: Well well well, you know what? I don't even really it's not that I'm unwilling. That's not where I'm coming from in this conversation. I'm really not. It's more about I've always felt there's a cultural imperative For people of color to help other people of color. I think that's very significant. So but It's when does that happen Right. I think to your point. So I think the room is still available for him to effect change. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:23]: The jury is still out. I know he's been testy about this. I understand that. You could be testy for two reasons. You could be testy because you're like, no. I'm making stuff happen, But it's not represented pictorially. Or you can go, I'm testy about it because you called me out. Tiff [00:18:41]: That's what I was, alluding to before is, like, there's only 1 picture. One picture of 1 design team. You know? Who are his other design teams? Where are those pictures? Are those diverse? Are they not? You know, we can't answer that because I don't know. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:54]: Only thing I know is whether it's he or his team, they curate that insta. So I just been given Tiff [00:19:02]: Well, I don't wanna move on yet because there's you know, because we're, And pop. Part of what I wanted to do was talk about these 2 great contemporaries right now. And one of the things I wanted to do with Virgil is to talk about very quickly, you Impop. You know, we're talking about his impact on fashion. Where did he come from? Who is he? You know, little fun facts. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:21]: Alright. Research, girl. Good. Tiff [00:19:23]: Shall we do that? I mean Reginald Ferguson [00:19:23]: What you got? Tiff [00:19:24]: Otherwise, I'll just throw my Reginald Ferguson [00:19:25]: No. No. I mean, he's from he's from he's from Yeezy. I mean, so, you know, that's that's what I know. Tiff [00:19:31]: But he's far more than Yeezy. Pop. That's fine. One of the reasons why I was so inter when you gave me this article, I was like, yeah. I read it. I read it, and I'm like, oh, wow. This dude. And I and I It was deep diving into him because he's fascinating. Tiff [00:19:44]: The man has a college degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in architecture. He is not formally trained in fashion. Understood. And some of the criticism of his fashion, so to speak, is that it is, It is sort of like it's kind of detached in a way because what makes his, off white brand. What it is is everything's in quotes. It's ironic. Like, everything he has a pair of boots that has the words for walking. And that's that's what makes the boots his. Tiff [00:20:19]: It it says for walking. With the scarf. Reginald Ferguson [00:20:21]: With the tag. Tiff [00:20:22]: Oh, yeah. With the red, zip tie. And pop. And then he's got a scarf. It says scarf on it, but it's all in quotes. So the items are they're labeled as what they are in quotes, sort of making them sort of ironic. And it's an ironic it is an ironic twist on fashion in a way, and it's It's definitely different. I haven't seen it done anywhere else. Tiff [00:20:46]: Yeah. And it's minimalist in a way too if you think about it. And pop. And it could also be I mean, he started by appropriating other brands like Champion and the Ralph Lauren. What what did they call it? Dead Stop. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:00]: Was that appropriation? Or Tiff [00:21:02]: Wow. I don't know. He took that. I don't know. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:04]: It was appropriation. Tiff [00:21:05]: Silk screened his words on there with his quotes, and then he sold them for 1,000 of dollars. So no. I guess it's not. It's taking something and redesigning it. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:15]: Taking something out of nothing, which is not unique to the African American experience. Tiff [00:21:19]: It's very similar to Reginald Ferguson [00:21:20]: what we talked about. But it's definitely Tiff [00:21:23]: It's it's definitely Reginald Ferguson [00:21:23]: one of our trademark. Tiff [00:21:24]: Yeah. And it's similar like, with Dapper Dan. You know, we talked about him. It I do see a theme here. And pop. But what's remarkable about this guy is that his design sense, he's such a smart sort of, I I guess left brain is it left brain where you're math and science? Right brain, you're creative, or is it the Reginald Ferguson [00:21:43]: Those are the other way, but I'm not sure. Tiff [00:21:44]: Might be the other way around. But, you know, with with the civil engineering and architecture. He's clearly science and math, but then he hooked up. He met Kanye right out of college. And pop. At the same time as he was going through his master's program, he was designing Kanye's album art and, merchandise. And we see where that got. Impop. Tiff [00:22:04]: That that just exploded. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:06]: Sure. Tiff [00:22:06]: So he has had this tremendous creativity of about him. And then even since Impulse. And his brand has sort of evolved into I just the word ironic just keeps coming up in everything I've read about him. And it Impop. So is. It's he just has this and it's it's perfectly tied in or I should say plugged into the money in the market today, which is in youth. It's the disposable income of the youth. And he and social media has really taken fashion to another level. Tiff [00:22:40]: And he's so smart that he's figured that out. And, I mean, he was Kanye West's first creative director. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:47]: Right. Tiff [00:22:47]: And one Reginald Ferguson [00:22:48]: of the things Tiff [00:22:48]: I read is, like, every rap artist has a creative director. Apparently, Rihanna has 14. So isn't that an interesting fact? Reginald Ferguson [00:22:57]: And pop. Tiff [00:22:57]: But if you think about it, that's taking the music to another level too. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:02]: Oh, certainly. Tiff [00:23:02]: You're tying in Reginald Ferguson [00:23:03]: All these individuals are multi hyphenates. Impulse. Tiff [00:23:05]: Unbelievable. And all these different streams of income. It's you know, you've got your fashion. You've got your music. You've got your fashion. You've got your art. And pop. That's an it's another thing with, with Virgil Abloh. Tiff [00:23:17]: He's he's partnered with, artists and created pieces of art that have been on display in shows and been purchased. He, at the time of the article that I read, he was working with IKEA on home HomeGoods Designing HomeGoods. I don't know if that's been released or not, but he's just he's a smart science and math guy who's sort of also very creative, tremendous businessman, I have to say, to be where he is today. And I'm impressed. Very impressed. And, I he should be exactly where he is. Right. Can't wait to see what comes up next. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:54]: Right. But should he be exactly where he is without Bringing people of color up. Tiff [00:24:03]: No. He is in a position to make a difference, and I think he should probably And pop. Plug into that now. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:08]: Let's have our fingers crossed. Done. So But he's running Louis v. Tiff [00:24:15]: And pop. He he is running Louis V. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:17]: No African Americans ever done that. No. Running a luxury global brand. Tiff [00:24:21]: Heritage brand. Amazing. 165 years old. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:25]: It's amazing. Tiff [00:24:26]: It's amazing. Shall we move on to my, next fella? Reginald Ferguson [00:24:30]: Sure. Fingers crossed, Virgil. Come on. Don't let us down. Tiff [00:24:32]: We can do it. You can do it. We could all do it together. Let's move on to Pierre Moss, which is the brand, not the guy. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:39]: I know. Tiff [00:24:40]: Well, I just wanted to say that for those who, you know, are listeners. We're educating listeners. You don't know who knows what. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:45]: You are correct. So What is the creator's name to Tiff [00:24:50]: The creator's name is Kirby Jean Raymond. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:53]: There you go. Tiff [00:24:54]: I took French 3 years. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:56]: Oh, Right on. Tiff [00:24:57]: He, he he has a Haitian background. Yeah. That figure. Reginald Ferguson [00:25:00]: New York in the house. Tiff [00:25:01]: But I did like I told you, I did read that article that it is it was a 5 things you should know about p y e r m o s s. It's pronounced Pierre. It is. So I was like, oh, good to know. I bet Reg was And pop. Waiting Reginald Ferguson [00:25:15]: to catch me up. I totally was. Tiff [00:25:17]: So his his story is quite different. And he's sort of you sent me the article you sent me was a Vogue article. And, and the reason why he was in Vogue, and he's has an article about him in Vogue is because he he just recently And pop. Won their 2018, award, winner of the 2018 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund award, which he won $400,000 to put towards, furthering his business. Yeah. It's a fund that Vogue, Vogue and CFDA established to help these burgeoning designers to continue their business, you know, either through marketing, publishing, whatever whatever they need. That's that that money is theirs. Reginald Ferguson [00:25:59]: Right. And he won that last year. He didn't win that last year. Tiff [00:26:01]: He won that in 2018. Yeah. And I I just, but the significance is is, And pop. Is that he he sort of also came up by the bootstraps, shall we say. He And pop. He was he's from, Virgil Abloy is from outside Chicago. Kirby Jean Ramon is from Reginald Ferguson [00:26:24]: Brooklyn. Brooklyn. And Tiff [00:26:25]: pop. And I can't say his name without that affect affectation because that's when I was learning to speak Impac. French. That's the only way I could speak it is if I spoke it with that accent. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:37]: Wow. Tiff [00:26:38]: It's just it's a thing. And pop. But, he apparently gotten his, picky toe into the fashion world when he was 13 years old. Started working in a sneaker shop. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:48]: That's some New York Tiff [00:26:49]: Illegally. He had to forge his working papers because he had to. And this is interesting story. His father his mother passed away when he was young. His father was the only, income earner. And when at 13, his father would give him $10 a day. This is what you get to eat on. So he had to get a job so he could eat more than $10 a day. Tiff [00:27:08]: I mean, I guess you could go to the McDonald's $1 menu, but Ugh. Yeah. You do that every day. You're gonna pay for And pop. But, so that's how he started, you know, working in a sneaker shop. And then, he ended up he got Into, the high school a fashion high school in Manhattan. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:24]: Fashion industries. Tiff [00:27:25]: Fashion industries. And so in high school, he was surrounded by all these creatives, and Impop. So it really opened his eyes and showed that the world is bigger than what he had previously seen, and that's sort of what kinda got him going. And after high school, he sort of And pop. He opened and closed a couple of brands. It didn't really work, and then he got a couple of great internships that sort of kept him going. Cay Unger, a department store, Kaye Unger, but also he worked with Marchesa. He freelanced with Theory and Marc Jacobs. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:54]: Marc Jacobs. Yeah. Tiff [00:27:55]: These are not small names. And pop. This dude, he learned. He studied. He he did he did the work. And then, and then he made a coat. He made a jacket. And pop. Tiff [00:28:07]: He made a camo jacket. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:09]: For Rihanna. Tiff [00:28:09]: And Rihanna wore it. Yep. And boom. That was it. But the smartness of this guy, the savvy, And pop. This guy is savvy. He talked about being a hustler from a young age. This is he hustled. Tiff [00:28:23]: The it blew up. This camo jacket that she wore absolutely blew him out of the water, and he quickly formed a business around the energy and the progression of what happened after that. And that's how, Pierre Moss was born. And I just think that and he took it I mean, he didn't sit back and say, oh, this is great. This is great again and all this he took that energy, and he turned it into something else. It's like constantly creating, constantly leveling up, constantly doing something else. And, and that's that's what I was most impressed about, and that's how this brand was born. And pop. Tiff [00:28:59]: And then he kept it going even bigger and better by becoming socially conscious about things that were happening in real time, in real life Impulse. One of his shows he featured, a video about the brutality, the In pop. The Black Lives Matter, the brutality that created that movement. Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:19]: With the t shirt. With the t Tiff [00:29:21]: shirt, but also he did a show. He did a fashion show, but he included that. It's a fashion show, but he included it this kind of sort of video, Impop. A conscious awareness kind of video that's saying, you guys, this is happening. And then he yes. It it went into his fashion that he released. Different pieces Impop. Expressed his feelings, about what was happening. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:45]: Yeah. Well, I think it's great that we're talking these individuals because the the key thing for you and the listeners that I wanna explain as a African American, The culture is not monolithic. We have a wide diversity from beliefs, through religion, through skin tone. And we talk about these 2 individuals. First of all, Virgil It's been very clear that sometimes he has been influenced, and you could take that as you may through the higher, the Pierre Moss brand. See, he busted me. To me. So what I really like is because I feel in my own way, not necessarily Through my fashion consultancy, but through my everyday living. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:34]: That means you, Park So Food Co op. Tiff [00:30:39]: Get it in there. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:39]: No. Because it's a it I think it's important, regardless of who you look like, but certainly because of who we look like, to be politicized, To be conscious, to be aware. Tiff [00:30:51]: Conversation is now. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:52]: Conversation is is always and forever. And the t shirt I'm referencing is from a few years ago when he had the list Tiff [00:31:01]: Of all the names. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:02]: Right. Because The conversation that he has emblazoned on a shirt is one that we walk through every day, understanding that We are not valued. We are not viewed equivalently as the people in power. So there's a reason why back in the day, we were 3 5ths. I don't care any political rationalization People wanna give that. There's something to that. Because as we look in 2019, our lives are at a discount. And what I'm impressed with him is this is an individual, not at every waking moment, Because you can't be one thing at all times. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:54]: He Is not that's never happened before, but it's when we do it. He's politicizing through fashion. Not every waking moment. Not all his pieces. That would be ridiculous. But he's making conscious decisions Where the argument that we just flipped is that it seems like someone else in the spectrum is ignorant. Tiff [00:32:18]: Right. His last 2 seasons, I have to say, were titled American, comma, also. That his last 2 collections that he he showcased, which is It it's his attempt to this this collection is an attempt to understand the place of black lives in US history and contemporary life. And pop. So and what he created, that's the message he's trying to put out there. Because one of the things I read about him, he's like, black Black people are oftentimes sort of portrayed as something sad. He goes, I wanna change that. I Impop. Tiff [00:32:54]: I wanna make I wanna I wanna flip that. I wanna they're they're they're positive things, about black lives, and these are it. Impop. American also. We are Americans also. And that's his message about his last 2 collections. And I I thought that when I read that, Impop. Brilliant. Tiff [00:33:12]: That's absolutely brilliant. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:14]: Well, a few years ago, a few seasons ago, he did stuff in Red, White, and Blue. He had born in the USA. Tiff [00:33:22]: Yes. I saw that collection. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:24]: Because we're here. We we built the USA. We didn't just happen to be here. We created it. Tiff [00:33:35]: Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:36]: We are the foundation, yet we are less than. Yet we can't even receive a financial Dividend for our contribution. Because anytime we talk about reparations, people just wanna jump out the window. Absolutely ridiculous. So I like that he's doing these things, that he's impacting the culture in his way because there's room for everybody else to do it in other ways. Tiff [00:34:08]: Right. And I I have to be honest, I didn't see any sort of research. I couldn't find anything in my research about who his designers are, who's working for him, And, you know, if you know, how diverse his his team is and things like that. So we can't do apples to apples. Reginald Ferguson [00:34:24]: Right. Tiff [00:34:24]: And pop. But every single one of his models, they're all African American. So there you have it. Got Reginald Ferguson [00:34:32]: that. Yeah. And he's, The celebs, the black celebs are rocking his gear. Tiff [00:34:39]: Now you think that's a Kanye West influence? Reginald Ferguson [00:34:46]: And pop. Do you I mean, I wanna know what's your thought about that? For, for Jean Ramon? Tiff [00:34:49]: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for I'm flipping back to, to a blow. He he I I think he's gone above and beyond Kanye West in a way. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:00]: There's no question. Tiff [00:35:02]: But does it help, you think, to have so Rihanna was put put And pop. Pierre Moss on the I mean, does it help to have a rap? Reginald Ferguson [00:35:11]: It helps. I'm sorry. What helps is someone who has influence. Tiff [00:35:17]: Impop. Influencers. That's what the word was. I was Reginald Ferguson [00:35:20]: gonna say more. Of course, it helps. Like, I have a great skill, and I'm not saying that to be rude or arrogant. The point of taking this program, the point of big shout out to my boy Tim Becker receiving his advice today about how I have to literally y'all Upgrade my Insta. Like, this is real. So all those little bits count. But, certainly, if I get attached to someone nominated for the Tonys, someone nominated for Oscars, would that blow me up? Absolutely. But until then, I still have a prodigious skill set, and I just have to crawl. Tiff [00:36:05]: But what happened with both of these guys is they got that opportunity blown up, and then they took it to the next Reginald Ferguson [00:36:11]: level on their own. But that's what happens when you blow. When you blow, the fight is to maintain the level that you're at. Tiff [00:36:19]: Yeah. One of the comments I read about Virgil Blow that he's a king of social media super influencers. And I have to say, I I I see the same thing happening Reginald Ferguson [00:36:30]: with micro influence. Tiff [00:36:32]: With many of the design fashion people of the day. It's all about social media. That's how that's how it is today Reginald Ferguson [00:36:39]: To a great extent. Fashion. Tiff [00:36:40]: That's what's gonna make or break you. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:42]: To a great extent. Tiff [00:36:43]: And I I and I think with Reginald Ferguson [00:36:45]: That's out of everything. Imposter. Tiff [00:36:46]: With Pierre Moss, the same thing is happening with him. He describes his brand as an art project or a timely social experiment. Things that he's putting out there. I mean, he is similarly he's a luxury street brand that which is very similar to, a blow as well. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:06]: But he doesn't wanna be he doesn't wanna be classified as streetwear. Let's be very clear. He had a great what Tiff [00:37:12]: he is classified as. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:13]: Well, no. But he he brushes against that. I wanna be clear. There was a interview, believe in Esquire, like, a year or so ago. And he was like, he doesn't he does not want that label. It puts him in a corner. He's not down with that. Tiff [00:37:29]: Well, yeah. With as with any labels for anyone. Yeah. You label someone. You're boxing them in. Absolute any any creative does not wanna be labeled at all. I absolutely get that. A 100% get that. Tiff [00:37:41]: But, I mean, he it we his his stuff is mostly Was it built on, what did I write here? His work is I'm sorry. I'm getting, getting confused here. Apologies. Move on. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:59]: Okay. Let's just quickly talk about how he rocked the Met Gala. Tiff [00:38:04]: And pop. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:08]: I thought it was dope. Tiff [00:38:10]: It looked I mean, let's Let's talk about that. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:13]: Yeah. Let's talk about it, and then let's move on. So, I mean, essentially, these suits that he and Lena Waithe had on Yes. That was, that was fire. That was straight fire. Tiff [00:38:26]: I, Reginald Ferguson [00:38:27]: DB. I'm I'm you know, I like double breasted. I most of my suits are single breasted, Imposter, but Tiff [00:38:32]: I looked at a lot of the Met Gala this year. It's all based at camp. Camp was the Reginald Ferguson [00:38:37]: Yes. Tiff [00:38:38]: Was the theme. And camp. And I'm like, what's camp mean? What do they mean by camp? And so, you know, I looked at the images to try to figure out exactly, and I was like, oh, okay. Basically, anything goes. Right? With a, you know, you you you a humor with irony and absolutely. I I, I think, both of these designers would fit right in. They were both in in attendance. I think I remember seeing Reginald Ferguson [00:39:04]: Anyone who's anyone is in attendance. Tiff [00:39:06]: I think I saw Virgil Abloh was wearing a, a white jacket with it looked like pains from a church, like a stained glass church. Kind of it looked as though it was an applique on the on the outer panel of the breast. So you've got maybe you've got 2 panels on each side of your coat, the front of your jacket. So it was on, you know, the outer side, And pop. It was religious figures, and I thought that that was beautiful. Very beautiful. Kind of like a white tux to tails. I don't know if it was tails or not because I couldn't really see. Tiff [00:39:41]: It was a cutoff, but I I think that, the fact that both of them were in attendance says a lot. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:47]: That's my point. We need both of them. Mhmm. Stay black, y'all. Tiff [00:39:53]: Creative. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:55]: Alright. We got a new segment, Tiff. Tiff [00:39:58]: Aren't you excited? Reginald Ferguson [00:40:00]: No. But I'm happy that we're doing it. Tiff [00:40:02]: You were totally excited because you totally just went up into the upper register of your voice. You always do that when you're excited. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:09]: Alright? Let's do it. Tiff [00:40:11]: Bring it on. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:13]: It's called Fashion Fool. Fashion Fool. Tiff [00:40:24]: Oh, yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:25]: Tiff. Tiff [00:40:27]: This segment is is Impop. Written for you, by you, and it's got you written all over it. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:33]: Well, the reason why we'd I always said that This show has to be organic, so it has to be ever changing, ever flowing. There could only be so many heroes, y'all. Tiff [00:40:43]: Yeah. And people get tired Imposter. Hearing about heroes. They wanna hear about other stuff. Really? Reginald Ferguson [00:40:46]: I don't know. I think, I mean, I think we need heroes more than ever, but it's hard to have fashion heroes Throughout the whole damn year. Tiff [00:40:53]: Yeah. I like change. I like change. And when you when you sent me this, I was like, yes. I found it. I like it. I like it a lot. Cool. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:00]: Well, here's our 1st damn fashion fool. Clearly, I'm I'm upset about this. That's why I'm hurling expletives. Tiff [00:41:07]: Go. Do it. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:08]: Alright. Fashion fool, guys who wear their pants too short. This ain't going around and I hate it. Guys wearing their pants, especially their suit pants up over their ankles. Oh. I don't know why this is happening, Tiff. I think this is ridiculous. Tiff [00:41:27]: I think it's a statement. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:28]: Where's the flood? The high waters. I blame part of this on the crazy sock phase. I mean, Happy Socks has made a business over this. Tiff [00:41:40]: Oh, you're so right. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:42]: I I try. Men feel, they don't even have enough points of individual expression in their dress. Tiff [00:41:47]: Right. I mean, if you're gonna wear pants all the way down, you can't see your socks. What's the point? Reginald Ferguson [00:41:51]: If you cross your legs or cross your ankles, you could see your socks. Tiff [00:41:55]: A little peek a boo moment? Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:57]: Yes. Yes. That's nice. Because all of a sudden, socks have become the item because men feel they don't have enough points of individual expression in their dress. I personally like a more general somber sock setup. Mostly solids, An occasional stripe or pattern like I have adorned today, which you did not notice Tiff. Look at that. Tiff [00:42:24]: Oh my god. Reg, are you okay wearing those? And pop. They're stripes. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:28]: Yeah. It's red and blue, and it goes with my Tiff [00:42:31]: blue suit. Yeah. But Reginald Ferguson [00:42:32]: it's It's an occasional contrast. Nothing crazy. What's going on? It's clearly a phase, but it's been going on for a while now. Tiff [00:42:39]: I like it. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:43]: I look at it like the crazy ties of the nineties. Tiff [00:42:46]: I remember those. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:48]: Exactly. But let's get back to the pants. A man shouldn't be walking around with everyone seeing their ankles. Tiff [00:42:55]: I don't think it should happen all the time, but It Reginald Ferguson [00:42:57]: should happen another time. Tiff [00:42:58]: I don't mind it. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:00]: You want everyone to see your red socks with green crocodiles on them? How about sitting in the chair and crossing your legs? Tiff [00:43:08]: You're being ridiculous. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:09]: No. No. No. No. No. These guys outside in the streets are being ridiculous, Tiff. I feel like guys are walking around looking like Pee wee Herman. Tiff [00:43:17]: Impop. I that was the first thing that came to mind. I have to admit, as soon as you said this, I was like, okay. I know exactly what we're talking about. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:24]: And you know the second thing that Kimmy and mine. Hitsters. Tom Brown. Tiff [00:43:28]: Tom Brown? Absolutely. Tom Brown. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:31]: Yes. The designer too. Oh. Lebron and Dwayne Wade have something to do with this too. All I'm saying is that there are other ways to be fly. This is not one of them. Tiff [00:43:44]: Well, I will say that I can agree with you 50% of the time. And pop. It just depends on it depends on what it is, your ensemble, and the moment, the event, the occasion, Reginald Ferguson [00:43:57]: the 90th. Should be, I don't need to see your ankles. It makes no sense. Tiff [00:44:01]: Well, so first of all, let's discern. Are we talking about trousers, suit pants, and jeans or a wand I mean, can we do it with jeans? Reginald Ferguson [00:44:08]: Listing. I said particularly suit pants, but certainly it goes across the board. Tiff [00:44:12]: Can't do jeans? You can't do little short And pop. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:15]: You don't need to Tiff [00:44:15]: showing your little socks? Reginald Ferguson [00:44:17]: No? I don't need to see your ankles. Alright. It's not a good look. Tiff [00:44:21]: Well, I, I disagree with you. There is there are times when I've seen a really nice, perfectly put together, together fella on the street. And in his in his what strikes me more, my eye immediately goes down to the feet and the ankles because the trousers are short. And pop. And it's a it's a choice. And I'm like setup. And then I'm like, oh, that's an interesting choice. And so I look to see what's happening around in the And pop. Tiff [00:44:47]: Yeah. And I go, okay. I get there, and then I make my way up to see how it works with the rest of the ensemble. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:52]: Okay. That just sounds funny too. Tiff [00:44:57]: Looking from the bottom up. Look around. I got eyes. I could do that. I'm allowed. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:03]: Okay. Tiff [00:45:04]: And pop. Listen. I'm I'm a commentator in the fashion game. I I got I got to take take some notes sometimes. So, I do. I take a look, and sometimes it works for me. Sometimes I go, wow. That's a true expression of self right there. Tiff [00:45:19]: I get exactly what that dude's trying to say. I like it. It's, Reginald Ferguson [00:45:23]: What is he trying to say? Tiff [00:45:24]: Sometimes it's something you know, I got a sense of humor about myself. I'm fine. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:28]: Oh, you think it's whimsy? Really? Tiff [00:45:29]: I, or I'm a serious dude, And pop. And and this is serious fashion, and this is my take on Reginald Ferguson [00:45:35]: it. No. There's a serious flood coming down the street, and I have to be ready. And pop. And I don't wanna hitch up my pants. They're already set up. Tiff [00:45:43]: Right. I mean, I've also seen an instance of jeans. And, I mean, the only time that that makes sense to me in jeans is if the cuff is turned up, Reginald Ferguson [00:45:52]: kinda like what I'm rocking today. Okay. Justin Ives. Another conversation for another day. Don't get me on men wearing cuffs on their dungarees like they don't know their inseam. Tiff [00:46:03]: Well, I it's beaut and it's a thing because It's one whack thing. We talked about it. We there are jeans that are made with a specific inseam, a specific type of denim that you have to rock the inseam So people know you're wearing these jeans. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:16]: No. Because that's people who wanna showcase their salvage. Right. That's just ridiculous. Tiff [00:46:21]: The salvage jean. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:22]: Yeah. It's ostentatious. Tiff [00:46:24]: I am not against it. I can see where you are, and that's fine. To each his own. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:30]: It's wack. On to the next I Must Have It. I must have it. Tiff [00:46:45]: And pop. Yo. Love it. Love it. So our I must have it item of today is Reginald Ferguson [00:46:53]: A suit made with wool From Vitali, Bobese, Konanico. Tiff [00:46:59]: I was I was pointing to you to say it because I was like, I couldn't find a pronunciation of, Impop. I would thought it was Konanico, but I was not a 100% sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:07]: I hope my crew in Italy give me some love there. That's I Tiff [00:47:11]: hope they do too. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:12]: Yeah. If not, you know, you can Send a comment. Tiff [00:47:15]: I gotta tell you, I could not research this brand enough. Love them. Love the company. The company is over 350 years old. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:27]: Yeah. I know. Like, 16/63. They're the OG. Tiff [00:47:30]: It's the oldest wool mill factory in the world. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:34]: I know. That's why they're the OG. Tiff [00:47:36]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:37]: Yeah. Tiff [00:47:37]: Well, I don't know. OG is not necessarily oldest, oldest. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:41]: No. That's true. That's true. I mean, Tiff [00:47:43]: you and I are OGs in our own circles. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:45]: No. No. No. Not in the least. Tiff [00:47:49]: Yeah. You are. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:49]: Just getting better. Tiff [00:47:51]: Anyway, tell tell us about, tell us about this suit, Reginald Ferguson [00:47:54]: man. BBC. I think when you get into the game of being into men's suiting and fabric, you start hearing names from all over the world. Tiff [00:48:03]: And that means fabric that goes all the way down to your shoe Reginald Ferguson [00:48:07]: Yes. Tiff [00:48:07]: By the way, in your pants. Yeah. You don't wanna cut those pants Reginald Ferguson [00:48:10]: too short. Posing oh, no. No. People will do it because they don't know any better. So, again, you hear names from all over the world, you know, especially Europe. You can go English, Like, Dormel. You go Scottish, Harris Tweed. You know, I have love for Harris Tweed. Tiff [00:48:28]: Yep. Yep. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:29]: If you go Italian, there's only one name. VBC, as we both acknowledged, Oldest mill in Italy, 1600 OG, then the mill for the majority of brands out there. The majority of suits Throughout this world, the wool comes from the fabric comes from this mill. I think they're producing, like, Over 4,000 different types of of patterns, so to speak. Tiff [00:49:04]: They are, from my research, the mill that provides, wool suiting to most of the world. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:11]: Yeah. Yeah. Tiff [00:49:12]: They are the biggest producers. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:14]: Yeah. Exactly. Zania sources all their fabric from there. They're prestigious. And I think if you wanna be in the game, you want some product from them. Tiff [00:49:23]: So my question to you is, And pop. Do you have some product from them? Reginald Ferguson [00:49:28]: Yes, sir. Tiff [00:49:29]: Oh my god. You do. Your smile is hysterical. That was brilliant. I just I I wish this was a TV show for one second so you coulda seen that face. Go ahead. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:42]: Well, One weekend, my friend Tony Harris, big shout out to, my boy Harris. It was recently his birthday. It was recently mine too. We're both Taureans. And he lives in CT, and he came down to the city. And, usually, part of the conversation when it comes down is, like, hey, man. Wanna come check you out. Is there anything going on? And And I know what that means. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:11]: What it means is is there any sales going on, Reg? Oh, sweetie. Is there something is there something or something? Tiff [00:50:17]: Something on the secret. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:18]: Just something. Do you know something? So a lot of times, he's really lucky. And I'm like, well, there is something. I can meet you at so and so location, and we can go. And we did that actually a few months ago, hooked them up with some beautiful loafers from Paul Stewart. Tiff [00:50:34]: Very nice. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:35]: But this time, Same brand, same timing. Beyond that, we started looking at suits. And I noticed their tag with the price and everything is set up under the lapel. And we were just looking around. Neither one of us was getting anything. I I advised him on the shoes. He bought some beautiful slip on tassel loafers. Great price. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:02]: So I noticed on the tag for Paul Stewart, three initials, BBC. And I told Tony, I was like, those initials are there for a reason. That's for this mill, and he he didn't know the mill. And I was like, wow. That's really that's really something to look at. So I happen to be in the area the last day of, Their little function. And, I tried a few suits on. 1 of my suits Whose fabric mill came from Rita, also Italian, r e d a. Reginald Ferguson [00:51:44]: It was fading. I I had to give it away to the Bowery Mission. So I was like, since no one has sponsored me yet for clothing As a brand ambassador, I still have to fend for my own. Tiff [00:51:57]: But I'm sure the Bowery Mission appreciates everything you give. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:00]: Oh, absolutely. And I and I'm happy to Tiff [00:52:02]: go on for a 2nd life. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:04]: So just added some more stuff, some dress shirts. Proper cloth dress shirts. Big shout out Tiff [00:52:09]: to them. Nice. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:11]: So anyway, tried some suits. Suit wasn't my size. Should've been my normal size. Had to go suit up size up, pardon me. Tried a few on. 1 made it happen. It's a gray with a blue windowpane, And I just happened to look inside. Oh. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:33]: Paul Stewart label on the top, VBC at the bottom. Tiff [00:52:40]: Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding. Bingo. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:42]: I done made it happen. I have not worn this yet, y'all. I have to get some buttonholes. Tiff [00:52:47]: Gotta get some buttonholes. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:48]: Yeah. Tiff [00:52:49]: You can't wear it without buttonholes. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:50]: Need some working buttonholes. Tiff [00:52:52]: That's amazing. I'm so Reginald Ferguson [00:52:54]: I made it happen. Did not plan it. Tiff [00:52:56]: What is what's the retail price? The of of something like Reginald Ferguson [00:53:00]: Just some Tiff [00:53:01]: Let's talk about that. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:02]: Just a mere bag of shells. Tiff [00:53:04]: Well, this is a must have item. And what from what I read about the mill, this Impulse. Fabric that's gonna last a long time. So you're gonna you're making an investment in this suit. So Reginald Ferguson [00:53:13]: Any suit I make an investment in. I a suit should last you 10 years or more, I don't know. Tiff [00:53:18]: Right. I got it. But this is the I wanna know what the price point is on this. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:23]: I mean, what are we looking at for this kind of fabric And pop. One pair of shells. Tiff [00:53:31]: But always remember, When you're putting money into something like this, that's gonna 1300. 1300. So 1300 divided by 10 years is $130 a year. Not a bad investment. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:43]: Oh, that's not what I got it for. That was the Tiff [00:53:46]: Of course, it's not what you got it for because you're rich. Very nice. One thing I wanted to mention about, this, this this fabric mill is not only how old it is. That was insane when I read that. But it's also it's still in the family. It's still Reginald Ferguson [00:54:05]: Yes. Tiff [00:54:05]: Family owned and operated. 15 generations of how do you say that last name again? Reginald Ferguson [00:54:12]: Kononeco. Tiff [00:54:13]: Kononeco. I mean, come on. And pop. Would you get along with your family that long to be in business with them for that long? No. Exactly. Somebody had to have stepped off and said, I gotta do something different. And pop. But, the company you read you on the website, you read about they have an ethics. Tiff [00:54:28]: They have an ethic thing Yeah. That they treat their Every employee Reginald Ferguson [00:54:32]: Very impressive. Tiff [00:54:33]: Their code of ethics that they everybody is treated the same in the same way. They also are environmentally, conscious. And pop. Meaning, a lot of water is used in the process of dying and washing. Washing wool first and then dying it, and they they, they They clean the water. They totally take all that dyes, which can be poisonous, out of the water. And they they put either put the reuse the water or put the water back in nature. And, they have a nice koi pond at one of their at the headquarters there, north of, Turin, that they have, Reginald Ferguson [00:55:06]: And pop. They that's Tiff [00:55:06]: repurposed water that's been that's been cleaned and all the pollutants taken out of, and now there's koi fish. Isn't that amazing? Reginald Ferguson [00:55:12]: That's very cool. Tiff [00:55:13]: And I like that because Impop. The they I I love any sort of, you know, fashion, maker or, you know, clothing maker that that thinks about their impact on this earth because it's important. You're using the resources. You also have to take care of the resources. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:32]: Gentlemen, become my client. I'll hook you up. Tiff [00:55:34]: It's beautiful fabric. Go online. It's beautiful. But moving on. Reginald Ferguson [00:55:39]: Fashion word of the day. Fashion word of the day. Of Tiff [00:55:51]: Our final segment. Are you ready? Reginald Ferguson [00:55:54]: Yeah. I'm ready. I I Impop. Tiff [00:55:56]: I have a word and you have a word, but how do I mean, I can't figure out who went first last time. So how do we figure out who goes first? Reginald Ferguson [00:56:03]: You can go first. Tiff [00:56:04]: Impop. Because mine you know, I've always tried to pick a word that's kinda goes along with what we've been discussing. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:09]: You're gonna stump me, I'm sure, so let's make it happen. Tiff [00:56:12]: My word is break. Break. The word is break. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:17]: B r e a k. That is correct. Thank you. It is Tiff [00:56:23]: I had to give the the right amount of suspense there. So, Reg, fashion word of the day is we say the word, you have spell the word, and then you have to define the word and use it in a sentence. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:34]: I know. Tiff [00:56:34]: So, as far as break, you spelled it correctly. Reginald Ferguson [00:56:37]: Yes. Tiff [00:56:38]: What's the meaning of break? Reginald Ferguson [00:56:40]: It is the length of pants. It's the inseam of pants and where there's an indentation or lack of indentation based on the inseam. Tiff [00:56:51]: I'm gonna give you that because you're so so close. In pop. It is how much of the bottom of a pair of trousers fold where they meet your shoes. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:02]: Yes. So Tiff [00:57:03]: when we were talking about the fashion fools earlier. They're not gonna have a break in their pants. But Yeah. Most people have breaks. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:12]: Sure. Tiff [00:57:12]: And that is, Impop. You know, how much some people call it spill, how much spill you want Reginald Ferguson [00:57:17]: on the floor. That. No. Tiff [00:57:18]: But, yeah, it's it's how much of a fold you want with the hem of your pants. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:22]: Always had a slight break growing up, and now there's no break. Tiff [00:57:26]: You just told your sentence. That's a great sentence. Very nicely done. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:30]: I tried. Tiff [00:57:30]: You didn't even mean to. Well done. Well done. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:35]: Here we go, Tiff. Tiff [00:57:36]: I'm next. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:37]: Madras. Tiff [00:57:40]: Impa. Madras or madras? Reginald Ferguson [00:57:44]: Madras. Tiff [00:57:46]: I'm gonna say Madras, Impodras, m a d r a s. Reginald Ferguson [00:57:49]: That's because you're from the South. Tiff [00:57:54]: And that's how we say it, madras. It is a type of textile, that is a, a nice plaid of varying colors that's created in the warp and the weave of the fabric. Yep. And Ralph Lauren was huge in the madras game with his shorts. See, always had those nice still got those madras shorts. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:18]: I don't remember that. When I think of Madras, I think of J. Press. Tiff [00:58:21]: And you say Madras. So why do you say Madras? Reginald Ferguson [00:58:24]: Because that is the country. Tiff [00:58:28]: Am I saying it wrong? Am I saying it wrong? Have I grown up saying it wrong? Reginald Ferguson [00:58:34]: You're saying it differently. That's all I could tell you. Tiff [00:58:36]: Oh, okay. So I used my sentence there too when I said that about Ralph Lauren. I don't know if you know you've noticed. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:41]: Yes. You I, I caught that. Well, that's a wrap. Tiff [00:58:44]: He hates it when I win. Reginald Ferguson [00:58:46]: We're even. Thank you so much for listening. Thank you. Thank you. Fun or down for another one. Please tell your friends about us. Special shout goes to our producer search and everyone down with the NYFG. Tiff [00:58:58]: And if you have any ideas for us, Imposs. You know, any sort of segment ideas or if you want to, comment on something we've discussed or if you wanna give us a fashion word of the day that you wanna stump 1 of us, Impop. Probably be reg because you're gonna email him. Yeah. Just send it to our email address at podcast@nyfashiongeek.com. Reginald Ferguson [00:59:19]: Don't forget to check us out on Insta, New York Fashion Geek. Tiff [00:59:22]: Yeah. Instagram, Reg, always likes to post something that's relevant to the podcast, so make sure you you take a look at that. Reginald Ferguson [00:59:28]: Absolutely. I'm Reg. Tiff [00:59:30]: And I'm Tiff. Reginald Ferguson [00:59:31]: See you next time. And remember, always be fly.