CaliforniaApparelNews.net

I caught up with Jade Howe, designer of men’s line Howe, at the recent Project show in Las Vegas and he gave me the scoop on the latest collection.

“It all started when I was watching the Occupy Wall Street protests,” Howe said. “I thought ‘when did free enterprise become a bad word?’”

The designer’s response? The 1 percent tee, pictured above. Perfect for that exceptional guy.

Howe, the brand, is on a roll with several new hires, including former Nordstrom buyer Charles Spisak, as vice president of merchandising.

“He was the missing band member,” said Howe, the designer.

Tom Nagy and Ian Gant also joined the company.

“We’re bringing guys like this in and we’re all on the same page,” the designer said.

Other highlights from the new line: More irreverent tees (I’m fond of the “Sweet Home California”) and French film poster graphics, skinny jeans, coated denim, the great blazer with the sexy fit. There are also some surprises: The subtle camo print mixed with sweater knits. “I’ve never done camo in my life, but I finally found a way to do it,” Howe said. There’s also traditional plaid shirts mixed with sweater prints and fleece and nylon outerwear.

The collection is focused on California lifestyle—“We just said ‘Let’s do what’s cool,’” Howe said. “All of a sudden the ideas came to me—it’s like someone took the foot off the break.”

Jade Howe

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