The longevity of the brand could be enough evidence to recognize him as a man with rare talents. After all, it’s not easy to maintain the freshness year after year that David Azulay seems to bring to each summer with BlueMan swimwear. What’s really amazing about David however, is that he’s triumphed in a milieu that is so foreign to him. He’s not a stylist, never studied design, is not considered the most personable guy (which at times gets him in trouble in the Brazilian fashion industry), doesn’t like working too hard and has little patience for marketing. And yet, he’s managed to be solely responsible for starting numerous trends in beachwear--especially when it comes to women’s (launched in 1972, his denim bikini was the hit of that summer’s collection).

It was quite a start for a brand that got its name from a drug trip. At 19, after dropping acid and going for a stroll on Ipanema beach in Rio, David started hallucinating while trying to envision his future as a fashion king. The acid was called Blue and his favorite brand at the time was New Man. With one foot in la-la land and one foot in reality, the brand BlueMan was born.

David arrived in Rio in the 60’s with his brother Simao and right away knew they were not destined for the career in medicine their father had envisioned for them. Instead, they took after their mother and both had a way with the sewing machine. David focused on beachwear, while his brother became the creative genius behind the denim brand Yes, Brazil through most the 80’s until dying from AIDS-related complications in 1988.

Personally, David is also not your traditional CEO. His critics say that he could double his business with a stronger focus on marketing and international sales. But David sticks to his guns, “People only think about increasing marketing and boosting sales. I now have 3 times as much as I ever dreamt of having. I have a successful business. Now, I want to enjoy life.” For the owner of BlueMan, now at 49, enjoying life includes spending quality time with his daughter, going to the beach, drinking coconut water and hitting the gym. “I’m an addict now. I can’t miss a day at the gym or I go nuts.”

See David's latest collection.

-- Ricardo

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Summer time is upon us. Tis' the season for margaritas, beach blankets, sand, sun, fun and friends! It's the time for getaways to tropical locations, pool side romances, and late night dips in the ocean. Summer has always been a time of romanticism. Dolce & Gabanna seems to have captured that feeling entirely with its style.

To get you in the spirit of D&G, imagine that you are the quintessential Italian man, lean with a dark tan glistening on the Mediterranean coast. The sleek D&G bathing suit grabbing the attention of your fellow beach goers while you survey the scene behind dark sunglasses, you casually kick at the sand as you walk the shores of paradise. You and your friends take the yacht out at sundown to leave the city behind, conversation crosses from fashion trends to politics with unnoticeable ease as you sip your Bellini slowly and enjoy the night breeze. Good, now you've got it.

D&G's beachwear line has a timeless elegance mixed in with an understated modern style, complimenting your shape and exuding an overall vintage look. The swimwear collection, made in Italy, is well crafted and designed. The sporty Rugby collection is unique in its style and unsurpassed comfort. The overall look and feel will draw all the right attention and you will soon find yourself bombarded with compliments.

Indulge yourself even further with the sandals from D&G. They are comfortable and the perfect summer accent piece. Last weekend I bought a pair and have already gotten several "Nice, where did you get those." Luxury is for everyone and should no longer be for the fashion elite. Be bold and confident, refine your appearance and get what you want. Dive into our new line of D&G beachwear.

-- Will & Dustin.

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When I was kid a pair of jeans that cost more then twenty dollars was too much. Somewhere in my youth Diesel popped up with hundred dollar jeans that were already faded and sometimes even torn. I recall how absurd this sounded at the time. Why would anyone pay that much for denim, especially a pair that looked like it had been worn? It just seemed silly. Now however, Diesel jeans are renowned for their amazing washes. In fact, rare is the moment when I am found in a pair of jeans that isn't Diesel.

So why the change of heart? Why did it become acceptable to wear expensive denim, and jeans that look like they have been worn already? The reason is that, besides the fact that all their jeans are all extremely well made in Italy, Diesel washes and cuts create a great aesthetic appeal and I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." When I put on my Zathans I often get compliments specifically on my jeans. Considering everyone wears jeans all the time, it says a lot to get complimented on your jeans. Diesel denim is clthing that can be dressed up or worn casual. Not to mention, when looking to hook up a good pair of denim never goes un-noticed.

Universal Gear is a denim-conscious, fashion forward company. As such we are dedicated to not only bringing you the latest and edgiest styles in denim, with the best washes and fits, but to making sure that the "must haves" are in stock. Our picks:
The Zathan: with a low rise, straight fit through the leg, and a slight boot cut. The Zathan is my personal jean of choice. Look for the Zathan-71S and Zathan-72H.
The Zaf: which is known for its medium rise, straight fit through the leg, and a more definitive boot cut. Check out the Zaf-8BC, and the Zaf-72J-a new wash!

Whether you are dressing up or getting down these trademark Diesel styles are wardrobe staples that you need to check out!

--Will

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You may have noticed that our underwear page has gotten a lot more colorful in the past few weeks. Edgy and fun, Ed Hardy underwear strays from the cookie cuter basics and provides the chance for a little day to day excitement!


Ed Hardy burst onto the fashion scene only a few years ago, but has already made a huge impact! Popular among many celebrities, this designer has been spotted on everyone from Britney Spears to Tome Cruise, Madonna to Lance Bass. A breath of fresh air in a stale tighty whitey world, Ed Hardy underwear is one of the newest additions to the company's collection. The fun colors and funky tattoo inspired graphics make this brand a much loved and welcomed addition to the http://www.universalgear.com/index.html family. Check out our new selection Ed Hardy underwear and add a little spice to your life.


--Dustin

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G-Star Raw is an often overlooked and underappreciated name in fashion. However, to the fashion-conscious city dweller, G-Star is a name to trust and seek out. Many designers often have a style that follows fashion trends and tend to be easy to overlook, blending in with their surroundings. G-Star truly sets itself apart from the rest.

G-Star does not try to imitate and it does not look to follow. As a company it sets the bar to be an individual and does so with great success. Its style transcends beyond the world of fashion. Its new Raw Ferry is an impressive boat that will host 25 for private events around Amsterdam. G-Star's futuristic and industrial styles were translated perfectly into this nautical masterpiece.

Though G-Star made its mark in fashion with its impressive G-Star Raw Denim it has ventured out with great success, making amazing shirts, jackets, and accessories. While other labels' clothing will have a lot of bells and whistles G-Star focuses on function with its pockets, snaps, buttons and zippers which are often abundant but not overdone on their clothing. The clothing which is unique and alternative maintains a simplistic aesthetic feel; often with a "can't put your finger on it" appeal.
But don't take my word for it. Stop into one of our stores and check out what G-Star Raw is all about or check it out on our online shop. And keep checking back as we will soon be adding more and more G-Star product.

--Will

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Diesel's new hit cologne, Fuel for Life, has made its way to Universal Gear! This "magic potion" is made from star anis, raspberry and authentic heliotropes; creating a light, alluring scent. Fuel for Life is the perfect gift for that special someone or even for yourself (it's nice to treat yourself every once in a while).

If you haven't seen the ads for this little cocktail from Diesel your head must be in the sand. Diesel's sexy advertisements have been plastered everywhere from the web to magazines, billboards, and Television. This cologne is absolutely a must have for 2008! Still, I highly suggest that you adhere to the Fuel for Life's slogan: "Wear with Caution,;" this cologne is not for amateurs.

Click here to view the add!

--Dustin

Happy Holidays

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--Dustin

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Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala (below center) are the creators of the William Rast clothing line.

William Rast clothing is crafted with exquisite attention to detail and exceptional fabrics specially milled in the U.S., Japan and Italy. All pants are treated at the best dye houses and laundries in Los Angeles. This ensures the highest level of quality control for the innovative treatments, washes and finishes William Rast is famous for.

The result is like nothing you’ve ever worn, a collection of denim that feel as comfortable as your own skin.

--Jim

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This new line of energetic athletic wear comes all the way from our mates down under. Zanerobe has been leading the athletic revolution in their homeland of Australia for several years and Universal Gear is excited to be one of the first to bring this unique style of sports wear to the states.

With their excellent fits and playful color combos, Zanerobe gives a whole new look to this department. Their entertaining retro styles have a great form and fit, while the soft fabrics move with your body for the ultimate in performance results. It’s rare to find athletic clothing like this that’s both fashionable and functional. There is so much buzz on Zanerobe right now, Universal Gear decided to launch our ’08 Athletic Wear campaign with this Aussie brand front and center. Try out our exclusive online styles.

--Dustin

(PHOTOGRAPHY SCOTT HENRICHSEN - MODEL RYAN

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Shift your look this summer with UG’s new Gear accessory line.

Much like our other private label items, the design aesthetic for Gear is grounded in vintage appeal. Each item is specially designed to look distinctive, like something you would find in your attic or buried in a bin at a street bazaar. Coins, crosses and skulls are just a few of the unique things we’ve already found for you. So sit back, relax and find the perfect artifact to suit your aesthetic.

--Dustin

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Paul Frank

You may remember him as the man behind Julius the Monkey but Paul Frank is so much more.

The collection is very fresh, irreverent and above all fun. Every garment has a little twist that makes it quirky and unique. The best example is probably the underwear. Check out the “Butt Hugger” three-pack ($28.50 - yes a three pack of underwear for under $30), which is actually a week’s supply. The red pair has Monday printed on the outside and then flips inside-out for the Tuesday side. Wednesday/Thursday is blue and Saturday/Sunday is Grey. What happened to Friday? Paul Frank says, “Who wears underwear on Friday?”

Not convinced? Then check out the Evil Poodle T-Shirt ($24.50.) Seriously, who could say no to Poodles with frickin’ laser beams?

--Chord

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When Chord and I attend the trade shows, we invariably leave excited about a new brand. In past years, those brands have included Ben Sherman, Penguin, Replay and John Varvatos/Converse. This past year, however, there was one brand that had the entire show buzzing with excitement: Scotch & Soda.

One of the fastest growing men's sportwear lines in Europe, the Amsterdam-based brand made a big splash last year at Project Las Vegas and will hit US stores for the first time in Spring 2007.

So what's so great about it? DNR magazine said, "it's that price-value combination and an appealing Abercrombie-meets-Trovata aesthetic that have helped Scotch & Soda grow from sales of less than $12 million in 2001 to $68 million in 2005." The product is innovative (including lots of unexpected layered looks) yet price points are more reasonable than fellow European brands like Diesel and Energie.

New management changes have recently helped put the brand on the map on this side of the Atlantic. To inspire its design team, the company moved to new headquarters in a former 18th century church in downtown Amsterdam. And, like Diesel, they send their design team all over the world to help inject more international flair and classic vintage styling into the designs.

Stay tuned...Scotch & Soda should be arriving at Universal Gear in February 2007.

-- Ricardo

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OK, I’m not one to usually brag but... I’m actually sporting a Hard 8 right now. You know what? I’m not Afraid to tell you about it. In fact, I am going to brag about it. It’s hot, and looks damn good. Don’t worry, if you haven’t personally been Blessed with one already, you’re Forgiven. This baby was specifically designed with you in mind and Universal Gear is the one and only place it can be Found.


That’s right, Universal Gear has teamed up with Hard 8 to bring you an exclusive series of high end shirts. For those who don’t know, Hard 8 is a t-shirt company out of Los Angeles. They hand print, sew and grind every detail with loving care right there in the City of Angels. The name could mean a few things but it’s actually a long-shot bet in the game of craps. Rolling a double 4 makes a "HARD 8" and it pays about 10 to 1(about the same odds as making it in the fashion business, jokes Victor Mizrahi, founder.)


The I AM series was designed to be profound, pert and above all else personal. Each shirt can be read in a number of different ways but is up to the wearer to make the final statement of who they are. All the designs are American made and hand printed on high quality ultra soft cotton. The V-Necks have also been hand grinded around the edges and feature and unique ribbed under-sleeve, which helps to accentuate those beautiful arms you’ve been working so hard on. So go ahead, don’t be afraid to make statement. Get out there and show them who you are!

-- Chord

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Universal Gear's love affair with Diesel reached new heights last month during the Diesel Corner Launch Party in our Atlanta store. Hundreds of people came out to help us celebrate the new space, the new merchandise and to meet the folks from Diesel that came down from New York for the festivities. Highlights of the party included the hot winged models (bottom right), a poloroid station (above) and a very festive crowd.

(pictured left to right: Shawn our Atlanta Store Manager, Rasdy our Director of Operations, Carmela our Diesel Sales Manager and our Buyer Chord)

Click on any image above to see a larger version.
View more from our Diesel corner party [1] [2] [3]

Want to find out about future events? Make sure you sign up for our e-mail list!

-- Jon

See the original post "Cornered: Diesel".

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What happens when two American classics combine? For Converse and John Varvatos it was nothing short of perfection. Varvatos, who headed up menswear design at Calvin Klein and Polo before launching his own line, combines a connoisseur’s appreciation of soft and luxurious fabrics with a New Yorker’s casual streetwise aesthetic. His style was perfect match for the iconic Converse.

The duo first teamed up in 2001 to add a contemporary touch to the Jack Purcell shoe. From there Varvatos revolutionized the ubiquitous Chuck Taylor Low by removing the laces, adding some elastic under the tongue and making it into a slip on. Then in fall 2006 Converse launched its first luxury apparel line; Converse by John Varvatos. The line is a whimsical reflection of the Converse heritage, specifically the original basketball guru Chuck Taylor.

The first season of the apparel line has been a stunning success and like all fine things, keeps getting better with age. Keep a look out for new designs from the duo this spring.

--Chord

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It's that time of year again to give 'til it hurts! Yes, we know some people are impossible to shop for, but don't despair. Rather than giving the traditional fruitcake, this year try something with a bit more style. That's where Universal Gear comes to the rescue!

First, practical gifts are always...well...practical. Things like hats and gloves, or even socks and underwear! These are items that everybody needs, but might not think to ask for. Both Diesel and Goorin break the monotony of dull accessories with an assortment of hats and gloves with both style and funk. Not quite what you were looking for? Try a gift that's sure to make them blush. Underwear is something no one ever asks for but everyone needs. "What kind of underwear should I buy?", you might ask yourself. As luck would have it, 2(x)ist and C-IN2 have both come out with new organic lines (new Soy from 2(x)ist and C-IN2 Bamboo) for the season.

If the practical gifts won't cut it, try the gift of beauty. A healthy skin-care regiment is something everyone needs. The famed Malin+Goetz skincare line makes the perfect stocking stuffer. From body cleansers and moisturizers, to shaving cream and exotic soaps, there's something for everyone. Haven't heard of MALIN+GOETZ? Read our post "MALIN+GOETZ Comes to Universal Gear".

Finally, there's that special someone. This year treat your loved one with the one gift no one can resist...Diesel jeans. Stylish and comfortable, giving someone a pair of Diesel jeans really lets them know they're loved! Or if denim doesn't quite work, try a time piece. Watches are always a great gift to give.

Still not sure? Get the gift you KNOW they will use…a gift card! This is one gift you can't go wrong with!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

-- Dustin
(Dustin is a member of our eCommerce Team and a contributor to UG Unzipped.)

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Want a bigger bulge? Don't like dealing with hoops and rings?
Well C-IN2 has answered your prayers with the new Trophy Shelf!

By using two pleats in the fabric (see the return of everyone's favorite illustration), the underwear forces you front and center. The genius of this design is that unlike its big brother Sling Support, the Trophy Shelf has no hoops that you have to jump through (so to speak) so you stay comfortable all day long.

Because of this new design, C-IN2 can now put the Trophy Shelf in styles where the Sling Support could not go. For instance, every style in the C-IN2 Bamboo line including jockstraps feature the Trophy Shelf. But don't worry, they're all still cut low to go nicely with your low-rise jeans!

-- Jon

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After months of adjusting fits, prints and details our first ever fleece line has finally arrived. Now, of course, I am a little biased when it comes to this program. I worked closely with our friends over at Triple Five Soul to put together a fleece program with a Universal Gear twist. And if I do say so myself, the end product is nothing short of amazing. These are not your dad’s basic sweats.

First, we used a premium 100% cotton fleece. The fabric is so ultra soft and thick enough to keep you warm on those chilly winter nights. We then lowered the rise on the shorts and the pants to get rid of baggy excess fabric and give them a more modern fit. Both have two side pockets, a back pocket with Velcro closure, and a hidden interior pocket. Finally we added our signature city graphics for the ultimate finishing touch.

The hoodies feature the same ultra soft fabric and slimmer fit. They also have a couple hidden features of their own. The inside of the right pocket has an opening to the interior of the hoodie. There you’ll find a small pocket for iPod style headphones. When you’re ready to listen to your music you’ll find a small hook at the top of the zipper. Simple thread your headphones through the hook and pump up the jam. The hook will keep the headphone from tangling and getting in your way.

--Chord

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C-IN2
WHAT’S NEW: a micro modal collection called POSH; a “green” collection based on bamboo

“Men are becoming more accepting of underwear that is softer, nicer, better - what Europeans always had and what’s just coming to the U.S. now,” says C-IN2 sales director Larry Meltzer. His colleague, creative director Greg Sovell, explains: “I’m not sure if the normal consumer knows the difference between a knit and a woven, but I think men have come to realize that the ‘feel’ of the fabrics is directly related to the comfort of the underwear. And I do think men are turning away from fabrics that appear effeminate, such as satins and silks.”

Sovell, who’s been in the business over a dozen years - first as founder of 2(x)ist - has become something of a fiber connoisseur. “Men know that cotton usually equates to soft and comfortable,” he says, “but it’s important to realize that 100 percent cotton doesn’t define the yarn type – which has a huge effect on the feel (e.g., open end or ring-spun). And it’s also important to realize that the premium cottons - like pima - have a totally different, really incredible hand.” Sovell’s now using “some of the relatively new versions of Modal and Tencel made by Lenzing” to create a luxury collection call “Posh” coming out later this summer. Also coming from CIN2: a bamboo collection with a patented pouch design called “Trophy Shelf.”

(this excerpt from the DNR Textile Report)
--Jim

Posted by UG Editor at 11:06 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Underwear is going back to nature. The leaders in the market are looking back to cotton and ahead to soy, bamboo and Modal. Take a look at what universalgear.com’s top brands are doing for you.

2(X)IST
WHAT’S NEW: a soy collection

“It’s wicking. It’s UV protectant. It’s naturally antimicrobial. It’s green. It’s got a bunch of benefits and, let’s face it, we’re living in the age of soy lattes and soy milk,””says 2(x)ist design director Jason Scarlatti about his new favorite fiber, “but the main reason we’re doing soy is that it feels better than cashmere.”

Scarlatti fell for the feel of soy quite a while ago but says, “It took a year of testing to get it right,” including laundry tests, wear tests, and various experiments that led him to add 5 percent Lycra to the fabric for recovery. Then, when he found that soy fabric in its natural state “was a kind of oatmeal color that didn’t seem especially appealing,” he moved the collection to black, sapphire and slate. Last came the promotion: 2(x)ist will put the soy collection in new packaging with a bright green band at the top and a box that’s half an inch taller so it stands slightly above the others. “Then we’ll be explaining the attributes of soy on the back of the box,” says Scarlatti.

(this excerpt from the DNR Textile Report)
--Jim

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This year’s batch of Universal Gear sweaters features an artisan blend of ultra soft cashmere and silk. The result is a refined fabric that exudes comfort, luxury and elegance. Opulence; of course, doesn’t come without work and the journey from fiber to fabric is actually a fascinating one.

Both of these fibers have intriguing histories. Cashmere on the one hand is obtained from the Kashmir goat, which is indigenous to high plateaus of Asia. The ultra soft hair grows on the underbelly of the goat and keeps it warm during the chilly winter season. Cashmere is then trimmed and separated from the rest of the goat’s hair. This process is very costly and time consuming and usually less than half of all the fiber harvested can actually be called pure cashmere. Silk on the other hand comes to us from the humble silkworm. The protein fiber is spun by the worm to create its cocoon. The cocoon is then harvested and slowly unraveled to collect the fiber, a process the Chinese have used since 3000 B.C.

Today you can find the best of both these fabrics combined into one beautiful garment. Whether you are looking for v-neck, crew neck or a scarf - you can rest assured this fascinating fabric will leave you looking flawless.

--Chord

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Genius....pure genius! C-IN2 has revolutionized underwear with their Sling Support System. Found both in their No Show Brief as well as their Trunk, it's designed to give you a bigger, better...um...well...you know.

This is achieved with an adjustable elastic sling inside the pouch that forms a ring which lifts you forward (check out the graphic R-rated illustration on the right). Cut low to accentuate your lower abs and rear assets, they're perfect with low-rise jeans!

--Jon

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Forget about pitcher and catcher…we really just want to know what team you play for. Are you a Chelsea Knight, Dupont Mariner, Lakeview Bruin, Hell’s Kitchen Angel or perhaps a Midtown Mustang?

This year’s line up of Universal Gear Athletic Shirts is a nod to the neighborhoods in which our stores are located. We looked around each location to find inspiration for the team names. Mariners, for example, is a reference to the Rear Admiral Francis Dupont, whom Dupont circle was named after. Who said you couldn’t learn anything from shopping? To give the shirts the perfect worn in feel we lightly distressed the graphics and used some new ultra soft fabrics. Each shirt was then hand printed to give it a unique personality. The same graphics
are also used on our lacrosse shorts. Stay tuned for our fall line up of sweat pants and sweat shorts.


-- Chord

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Created by cosmetic and fashion industry veteran Matthew Malin and longtime marketing professional Andrew Goetz, MALIN+GOETZ is a modern apothecary located in New York's Chelsea neighborhood.

"Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz have always appreciated, even celebrated, how little they have in common. 'We're opposites in every way,' said Mr. Malin, 38. 'Andrew loves to cook, and I hate to cook. He's opinionated, I'm diplomatic. The main inspiration for the pair's streamlined unisex skin care line, MALIN+GOETZ, was yet another yin and yang. 'Andrew has oily skin and mine is dry,' Mr. Malin said. 'We wanted to create products we could both use.'"(New York Times July 30th, 2006 - featured below)

MALIN+GOETZ is a two-step regimen for irritant-free, perfect PH balance from head to toe - face, body, and hair.

Each formula blends trusted natural ingredients with gentle performance technologies that address skin sensitivities, irritations, and allergies resulting from unnecessary products and harsh ingredients.

The key to their extraordinary cleansers is their hydration science. Gentle cleansing agents purify and hydrate. The advanced moisturizers are oil and residue-free, instead of traditionally greasy pore-clogging oils or waxes. Into both they incorporate beneficial botanical extracts that enhance performance and provide fresh, natural scents that quickly evaporate. Each ingredient is carefully chosen, resulting in formulas without unnecessary detergents or colorants.

Need more reasons to love MALIN+GOETZ? They do not test on animals and are made in the USA!

Shop MALIN+GOETZ products!

-- Jon

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We sometimes get asked whether the Universal Swim board shorts we carry are related in any way to Universal Gear. Here's a quick snippet about how that brand came about:

Since my family is from Brazil, I usually visit Rio once or twice a year to spend some time with the folks (and to catch some rays at Ipanema beach, of course). Given the beach culture, Rio has tons of fantastic swimwear brands--including Blueman (read more about them here). The brand features bikinis, squarecuts and board shorts with great colors and designs. Given the popularity of the suits I brought back for friends, David (Universal Gear's President) and I decided to take a trip down to explore importing them to the US to be sold at Universal Gear stores.

The meetings with Blueman were fantastic and by the last day of the trip, we had ordered hundreds of suits for our Spring 2003 collection. During that same trip, David and I took some time to hit street fairs that featured clothing and accessories from local designers. Most of booths we visited couldn't supply us with the quantities we needed, or just didn't have the breadth of merchandise to really make an impact. But just as we were leaving, we stumbled upon a booth featuring board shorts in bright colors with contrast stitching.

The company, as it turns out, specialized in wholesale manufacturing and liked the idea of partnering with us to create our own private label of board shorts. We spent much of the next day looking at fabric swatches and samples of the detailing touches we could use to set the brand apart (branded laces, tags, etc.). After months of tweaking and editing, we had a collection ready to launch.

Naming the collection was easy. We wanted to tie it to our corporate brand, but we didn't necessarily want to brand it as Universal Gear--partly because we also wanted to sell it to other stores. You might, in fact, have seen our board shorts in other great stores like All American Boy (Fire Island), Body Body (Provincetown), Bravo (Provincetown), Symbology (Ft. Lauderdale and Provincetown), Palm Produce (Miami) and Motley (Ogunquit).

Universal Swim is now our #1 brand of swimwear. With the popularity of board shorts increasing, the brand was able to fill a need for body conscious styles with clean lines and handsome color combinations. If you haven't already, check out pictures of our Spring photoshoot featuring these board shorts here.

In addition to the board shorts, we're also putting the finishing touches to our collection of cashmere blend sweaters (coming in October 06) and athletic-inspired crew and muscle shirts (coming in July 06).

-- Ricardo

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At a trade show we attended in Las Vegas this past February, one of the highlights was a new jewelry designer who combined classic materials with unexpected ones to create handsome and unique pieces. Here is a quick interview with the woman behind this great new brand.

Is Tracy Matthews a real person? Yes, I am real! Can you believe it?

What does she eat for breakfast? Bananas and Peanut butter...most days.

How long has the line been around? TMD men, a little over a year; Tracy Matthews Designs (women’s) 7 years.

What is the inspiration for the men’s line? The inspiration for all of my collections comes from many things: My yoga practice, fashion, art, nature, my travels, and an interest in combining the unusual. I really felt there was a void of really cool jewelry for men. I wanted to design things that are wearable, collectable and hip. In women’s jewelry, there has been a huge trend in charms and wood. My guy friends kept bugging me to make something for them, so I thought, “Why can’t I interpret these trends into something cool for a guy?” So I took some rosewood, created some current shapes, like horns and dog tags, and added some cool castings and rivets to the pieces, and voila...TMD men was created. Within a year, the collection has really evolved. The first collection only had 30 pieces and has since grown to 100 per collection.

Why do you use the materials you do? The current collection is comprised of hand carved rosewood, sterling silver rivets and oxidized sterling silver.

Where do you see the line going? Next season we are going to develop the wood and silver collections a bit more, adding more silver shapes to the wood, expanding on the more traditional aspect of the line with different shapes in cufflinks, experiment with different metal finishes and add more signature pieces. Going forward, I would like to incorporate steel into the collection...more to come. Super cool!

What else can you tell us about yourself?
Here are a few more facts about me:
- I am an avid yogini and yoga teacher. I have been practicing yoga since 1997 and have been teaching since 2001.
- I have always dreamed of being bi-coastal and am finally giving it a shot and will be living half time in NYC and SF.
- I love music and Karaoke (even though I have a horrible singing voice).
- I like to take naps on the weekend.
- Really cool people work for me and with me...without them, TMD would not be here.

--Chord

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Thomas Alderink started his brand with a premise -- offer exceptional fits in a variety of silhouettes, using premium fabrics and the highest levels of quality for every garment made. He premiered his collection in the fall of 2005. As a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, he set out to combine rich Italian and Spanish fabrics into a swimwear line of exceptional tailoring.

Mainly working out of his self-proclaimed “working space with a bed in it”, Thomas conceptualized and brought to fruition -- over several years -- his brand by using the many trips to the Mediterranean over his years in the travel industry as inspiration, he created a fashion forward line. ChaCha Boy swimwear comes alive with vibrant colors, stunning graphics and florals and unique textures.

Heads are sure to turn when you’re a ChaCha Boy. Look for ChaCha Boy now in our New York and Washington DC stores. Or check them out here.

-- Jim

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