Prior to beginning his extremely successful career in the music industry, Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am foresaw his future playing out very differently. Before pumping out catchy beats and fist-pumping songs, the multifaceted singer-songwriter attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Technology in Los Angeles to prepare himself for a career in fashion design. Although he decided to deter his dream at the time, will.i.am has decided to return to his creative fashion driven roots and has produced his very own menswear line, fittingly named i.am. On July 26th, will.i.am took a time out from his hectic tour schedule to visit Harry Rosen’s Flagship store in Yorkville to launch his new line. Pieces on display ranged from a mix of basics, such as graphic T-shirts and refined knits, to outerwear, featuring simple pea coats and edgy hooded leather jackets, all infiltrated with the funk and soul of will.i.am’s music.
The fashion forward celebrity claimed that his line was heavily influenced by “youth culture, youth hip-hop, dance culture, the world of the arts, and just expression”, emphasising the importance of being an individual in a world of mass production. Interestingly enough, the line also has some strong Canadian ties. i.am. is produced and designed by the i.am. je suis division of Manhattan International based in Montreal. Currently, the clothing line i.am. is produced exclusively for males . However, creating clothing that would appeal to females may be on will.i.am’s agenda in the distant future. As he explained, “I’d like to do stuff for girls, but right now, I just want to get the dudes right.” For the time being, the hip-hop star wants to create pieces that inspire people to wear them that can easily be altered to fit each individual. However, don’t worry about will.i.am. disappearing into the fashion scene completely; ‘I gotta feeling’ that producing music will remain on the front burner for him and his band members for many years to come.
“I am me, you are you, feel good about it”.
