Cohesive: Turning Prep on Its Head

Founder David Appel didn’t have to look far for inspiration for Cohesive, his new contemporary men’s line, which shipped its first collection in November. “I’m a guy who likes fashion,” he said, pointing out design details that include custom sculptural zipper pulls, ties with imperfect stripes, contrast taping, colorful buttons and button holes, and oversize whip-stitches on denim. “And I’m getting older; I want to start dressing a little nicer. Cohesive has a preppy aesthetic, which I like, but with an edge.”

The preppy-with-an-edge look continues to include graphic T-shirts, fitted “but not too tight” Henleys and thermals, woven shirts with tonal embroidery, and updated cardigan sweaters in lightweight fabrics.

The look, which ranges from trendy (as with a hoodie with an embroidered skull trailing down its back) to cheeky (as with a woven shirt designed to be worn with the sleeves rolled up), is meant to appeal to fashionable guys across the board, Appel said. “I want to attract a broad range of people with a look that is halfway between Trovata and Paul Smith. I want guys to feel comfortable wearing Cohesive anywhere—from work to out at the clubs.”

The line, which targets specialty boutiques, wholesales for $24 to $32 for shirts and $60 to $75 for denim.

Appel initially launched the line in March 2007 in collaboration with his friend Erik Kim, founder of the premium-denim brand Monarchy, but is now on hisown after Monarchy was acquired by Hartmarx. “Due to the purchase of Monarchy by Hartmarx, Cohesive and Monarchy are no longer partners—though we still work out of the same building [in Los Angeles],” Appel said. With new investors, including Sasan Parsakar of Boom Boom Jeans, Appel is steering Cohesive by himself. Forthe Spring 2008 collection, which will bow at the ProjectGlobal Trade Show in Las Vegas in February, buyers will see a refocused line. “I had to refine the line and focus it to separate Cohesive from Monarchy,” he said.

For more information, contact Icon Showroom at (213) 742-6999. —Erin Barajas