CHICAGO: Meet Andrew Christian
All at Universal Gear Chicago
3153 N Broadway
773.296.1090
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All at Universal Gear Chicago
3153 N Broadway
773.296.1090
Want to be the first to hear about events like this? Click here to sign up for our mailing list!
All at Universal Gear New York
140 8th Avenue (between 16th & 17th)
212.206.9119
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Kristine W has been toping the charts and flooding the dance floor with killer beats for nearly two decades. The high energy diva has recently released her new hit single "The Boss" which went on to be her eleventh number one hit on Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in March of 2008.
While Kristine was in Washington DC on March 15th for a performance at Town Danceboutique she came to our new Flagship store for a CD signing. Looking as fabulous and flawless as ever, this Diva turned out to not be much of a "diva" at all. With all of the celebrities I've encountered, I have to say I was a little thrown off to find out how kind, sweet, and down to earth she was. Kristine graciously welcomed the crowd at Universal Gear. Between posing for photos with fans and signing autographs she made time to talk with nearly everyone who came in and most of the staff. Upon her departure she walked by our accessories display where she spotted an amazing pair of Marc Jacobs sunglasses and, being a girl after my own heart, she just had to try them on. A fashionista in her own right she couldn't leave without them. Thanking everyone at UG she posed for one final picture with the staff and left to prepare for her performance.
Later that evening I was granted backstage access to Kristine's dressing room at Town, and right as I walked in she was having the finishing touches put on her outfit,; a gorgeous black frock ( that was rhinestoned to death). While doing so, she paused to ask one of the Drag Queens and I which shoes she should wear, to which we both unanimously answered yes to the black sequined boots. I left the dressing room shortly before the show started so I could get a front row view, a goal that was much harder to achieve than I thought it would be. As I reached the performance area I was met by a sea of men jumping up and down in anticipation for the concert to start. Given my relentless personality I made my way to the front row just in time to see her start the show. Doing a range of songs from "Stronger" and "Loving You," to "Walk Away" and "The Boss;" the night was truly as incredible as her performance was. I caught up with Kristine W later on and had the opportunity to ask her a few questions.
Q&A (March 2008)
DUSTIN: What musical artist was your biggest influence?
KRISTINE: I would have to say as far as tenacity and just hanging in there I would have to give it to Donna Summer and Annie Lennox.
DUSTIN: If you could do a duet with any recording artist today who would that be?
KRISTINE: Donna Summer I adore her. I idolize her.
DUSTIN: What's your favorite Kristine W music video? Which one did you have the most fun making?
KRISTINE: Queer as Folk was the most fun, ("Some Lovin") yeah because the whole cast was there. There were just so many people, I got to meet Sharon Gless.
DUSTIN: What did you think of the new flagship Universal Gear store in DC?
KRISTINE: It's a beautiful store, I’ll tell you that, great design! I think what was the best part of the store was the staff, an amazing staff.
DUSTIN: We found out that you're a former Miss Washington do you still have your crown? If so do you ever wear it around the house please say yes!
KRISTINE: I still have the crown it's in the kitchen on a shelf (laughing) yes I have!
DUSTIN: With so many music artists crossing over into the movie industry, have you ever considered making the switch? If so what kind of role would you love to play?
KRISTINE: Not really, It'd be fun to play somebody sassy I like the role that Vanessa Williams plays (Ugly Betty( that's a great character.
DUSTIN: Is there any thing you would like to say to your fans?
KRISTINE: Thank you so much for your support your loyalty your friendship, always checking in on the website and for their feedback. Staying after the shows and chatting about the music because it's so inspirational for me and I get so many ideas.
--Dustin
On December 7th Universal Gear celebrated the opening of its new Washington DC flagship store with a red carpet event hosted by Diesel. Universal Gear opened its doors to DC’s socialites, celebrities, and fashion mongers alike. The blow out event had the refreshments flowing compliments of Peroni as well as local hot spot Halo and the music playing thanks to international DJ Sin Morera.
While the packed store was bustling with chatter, laughter, and the occasional hoot or holler the main life of the event came as the center of the store transformed into a runway for the Diesel fashion show.
As the lights dimmed, company owner David Franco came to the stage and announced the show following an on-stage interview with Fox Five News’ Will Thomas. The crowd silenced as the lights went off and the music began thumping; but the silence was soon shattered as the first model, Project Runway’s Jack Mackenroth, hit the stage. From then on a steady flow of clapping and cheering ensued as model after model walked the runway, showing off the latest styles carried by the new in-store Diesel shop (one of only two on the east coast – the other located in our Atlanta store).
Following the fashion show party-goers lingered, shopping the store and enjoying the atmosphere not to mention the chocolates from Edward Marc. The event was a smash hit and the new store is gorgeous thanks to STUDIOS architecture who have also designed for Stella McCartney and Steven McQueen. If you haven’t already been to it I would suggest going there as soon as you can. The impressive line of clothes now matches the scenery. Look for the spring collection soon.
--Will
(Photography by Zaid Hamid. Planning and Organization by The Aba Agency)
See below for more images from the event.
Universal Gear Fashion Show at Be Bar in Washington DC.
Great night for a fashion show. 9 hot models - great swimwear - and to top it all off the event was hosted by Kevin Aviance. The place was packed with an electrified crowd waiting to see Kevin and watch the models in a runway show.
Kevin kicked off the show with one of his latest numbers. Then the models hit the runway showing the latest swimwear from Universal Swim, Blueman & ChaCha Boy. Being backstage I could only hear how the show was going but by all the screaming, clapping and yelling I could tell it was going great.
After the show Kevin hosted an auction. Yes, we auctioned some of the swimwear right off the models. All proceeds from the auction went to SMYAL and I am happy to say we, or rather the models raised $2500.
You can check out the video of the show by clicking on any of the photos. Enjoy!
--Jim
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ATTENTION DC SHOPPERS
Check out the new reoccurring event at our Washington DC Store. Every Friday will feature a different product and local establishment. This is destined to become a great alternative Friday Happy Hour.
Enjoy! And we'll see you at the store!
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This Saturday, March 17th, in our Washington DC store!
Come meet the new faces of Ginch Gonch underwear. Benjamin Bradley and Ethan Reynolds will be in our DC store from 8pm to 10pm this Saturday.
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On Thrusday February 1st, Universal Gear Atlanta teamed up with cast members from the Real World Denver and The Apprentice for an amazing fashion show called REALITY BITES at the infamous
WETbar in Atlanta. The house was packed, standing room only.
The show started off with local celebrity, Genre, doing an appropriate rendention of ‘Fashionista’. Then came the models! They started on a rotating dance floor where they were all still-modeling until it was time to hit the catwalk. (The last one was a little dizzy from spinning around so many times before it was his time to strut his stuff!)
Alex and Davis from Real World Denver started off the show in Diesel and Ben Sherman. Next was Carey from The Apprentice working it in his hot Diesel outfit. Then the local hotlanta boys tore up the runway not letting their famous counterparts up-stage them. We saw outfits from Energie, G-Star, Triple 5 Soul, True Religion, and Diesel. We even saw dollars flying from the audience trying to get the boys to take off those hot clothes they had on.
As the show went on, the clothes started coming off and getting smaller and smaller, ending up in swimsuits and even hot new underwear.
The show ended with the final call back and a huge round of applause and screams. The models then mingled through the bar and chatted with the crowd.
--Shawn
Shawn is our Atlanta Store Manager.
Photos by Gary Salles
ATTENTION CHICAGO READERS
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--Jim
**ATTENTION READERS IN THE DC AREA**
Universal Gear is having its first ever warehouse sale on January 10th and 11th. Located in our corporate headquarters (1612 U St NW - 4th floor), the sale will run for two days between 5pm and 8pm. The sale features everything from shirts and jeans, to swimwear and underwear, all for under $50! So come and take advantage of huge savings on your favorite brands including Diesel, G-Star, Energie, True Religion, and more!
Don't live in the Washington DC area? Check out our other great deals in our sale rack!
-- Jon
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]
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-- Jon
See the original post "Cornered: Diesel".
Here it is...the first look at the new Diesel corner in our Atlanta store.
Diesel selected Universal Gear Atlanta as the next location for a Diesel corner--basically a mini-store within a store (there is only 1 other corner in the country from our friends at LASC). The combination of amazing vintage fixtures and equally amazing Diesel clothing is a site to behold. So hop in your car for a fashion road-trip and check out what Diesel's up to now!
To celebrate, join us for a unique evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music, models, fashion, Diesel give-aways and more!
DIESEL CORNER LAUNCH PARTY
Thursday November 16th 2006
7-10pm
UNIVERSAL GEAR ATLANTA
935 PEACHTREE STREET NE
404.872.5700
FREE PARKING IN THE METROPOLIS BLDG
Universal Gear is looking for male product models for our online store.
If you are 5’9” to 6’1”, tanned and have an excellent muscular defined shape please send at least one face and one full body shot to models@universalgear.com for consideration.
--Must live in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
--Must be available for a 2-3 hour shoot per week.
--Product models are compensated with gift cards good at any of our stores.
To celebrate the end of a long winter and the arrival of warm weather, our Chicago store decided to have a SWIM PARTY. On April 7th they set the stage and gathered the customers for a great evening of cocktails, shopping and swimwear. Partnering with local hot spot minibar to keep the party going after the in-store event, our guys in Chicago pushed the limits and showcased this seasons best swimwear -- from Andrew Christian, Blueman and Universal Swim -- on models from minibar.
More pictures from this fantastic event.
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--Jim