Exclusive Cyber Monday 24 Hour Sale for all ZE Menswear Facebook & Twitter Fans only!

50% off all merchandise - Use coupon code CYBER50!!!

ZE Menswear FALL SALE

Harvest the fruits of ZE Menswear great fashions. Reward yourself, friends or loved ones with a bountiful gift for the holiday season and save 30% off NOW until November 25, 2011 by using coupon code ZEFALL30 at www.ze-menswear.com. 


Consider it an investment for the summer to come.

J.L. King Interview: Royalty's Love Affair with ZE Menswear

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of connecting with J. L. King via Twitter. Over a series of days, I Twitted several kind messages to him to spark interest in my clothing line and IT WORK!

Now if you're not familiar with J. L. King, he's a New York Times best selling author who appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show to speak about his book entitled, "On the Down Low".

After 15 years of first book, I collaborated with J.L. to design a custom tank to wear on the red carpet and  promote his latest novel, "Love on a Two Way Street."

In midst of our correspondences, I had the opportunity to interview him about his latest endeavors. 

ZE Menswear: After appearing on Oprah, you took the world by storm with your non-fiction debut book "On the Down Low". Now you've entered the fiction arena with a new book entitled, "Love on a Two-Way Street". In comparison to other books of this genre, what makes this novel different from any other story already available on the bookshelves?

J. L. King: My writings is different then other writers. I am a serious story teller and my stories are all based on real people. I have written 13 books and they all get high marks because people can relate to them. They are raw, straight forward and page turners.   I have so many books inside of me that I want to write. And if God continues to bless me, the best is yet to come. 

ZE Menswear: It's been over 7 years since the exposure of "living on the down low" received national acclaim on television. How do you continue to reinvent yourself? Progress your mission?

J. L. King:  I am a person that believes that I can do anything. I have a international platform that has allowed me to do many things and create new opportunities.  And I am just beginning. I have a lot of great things going on in my life. National TV show, stage play, new books, working with new writers and authors through my JL King Publishing company, and on and on. Life is good. And everyday I wake up with new ideas to put into action.  I also get a lot of offers to partner with other authors, producers and celebrities and I pick and chose them carefully. I love helping others get started and if it is a win win for me, then I am always interested.

ZE Menswear: After the release of your newest novel, what does the future hold for the "J.L. King Enterprise"?

J. L. King: I am also working on 4 new books that will be released next year. Who knows, I live day by day. I don't know what God has in store for me next. But, whatever it is, I am ready for it.

ZE Menswear: In collaborating with ZE Menswear to design your Exclusive Designer Tank, describe your personal style.

J. L. King:J.L: Your response goes here. I am a trend setter. As a soon to be a senior citizen (smile), I look at my style as ageless. I dress to make heads turn. I love colors, I love clothes that no one else has or would dare to wear. I love designers who can take my ideas and make them. And I know what looks good on me. ZE Menswear has a fresh approach to men clothes that I love. I recently order more tanks that I will be wearing this year on my Love On A Two Way street book tour.  I also want to be the face of ZE Menswear...lol

 

For more information about J. L. King, please visit www.jlking.net and if you want to write and get published visit: www.jlkingpublishing.com.  Follow J.L. King on Twitter @authorjlking and Facebook at Jl King.

Sketch - Initial Design

Sketch - Final Design

Fantasy Fest: N!99@s in Key West

I'm headed to Fantasy Fest in Key West this weekend for Halloween for the first time and I've been puzzled about my costume. Since I'm still clueless, I've decided to keep it simple and make a couple of ready-to-wear pieces with a fashion statement.

My inspiration is Jay-Z and Kayne West's "Watch the Throne" album cover designed by Givenchy's Desginer, Riccardo Tisci. It's strong geometric embossed design expresses royal military symbolism and masculine femininity in a bold metallic tone. In addition to my inspiration, I will also reference military uniforms and origami shapes.

Although, the album cover is gold, I'll be using silver and grey tones (since they are readily available in my sewing studio). I've got 3 days to pull it off. Let's hope I finish both pieces before then. Wish me luck and revisit my blog to see photos of my design.

In the meanwhile, here's a few great pieces you can buy to create your own costume.

Cesar's Headdress

How to make your own: Hot glue silk leaves to a headband and spray paint it gold.

Gold Metallic Hip Hop T-Shirt

How to make your own: Save the trouble and scout for a similar shirt at the local flea market.

Gold Brushed Denim Jeans

How to make your own: Sponge paint your less than favorite jean with gold acrylic paint.

Gold Metallic Sneakers

How to make your own: Purchase a pair of sneakers from your local thirt store and spray paint them gold. Cover the sole of the shoe with painter's tape if you want to keep it white.

MacKintosh Denim Tank

Have you ever heard the saying, "Real Men Love Pink"? Well, they do, because I'm living proof that this statement is true. I fell in love with this jersey and it's color the minute I saw it. I knew it would make a great addition to the collection.

The greatest feature on this tank is the denim yoke on the back and front of the shirt. The style is inspired by country western shirts, but the lines are more geometric, rather than fluid like the lines seen in traditional western apparel. The design, stitching and lines of the denim yoke is inspired by Charles Rennie MacKintosh. I studied interior design in school and I always admired his linear, yet complex geometric architectural masterpieces. His aesthetic adds a great modern and timeless style to this tank top. That's great because it can fit it to both Western and Non-Western atmospheres.

The denim used is recycled from an old pair of jeans, which is great because it add a whole lot of character to the tank top. The edges are finished with a beautiful golden denim thread, which adds a great detail. After going out on the town with this tank, you're sure to look brand spanking new, yet slightly vintage and charming too. 

Grab it while it's fresh. Click here to purchase now!

Denim Star

Since starting my new Etsy shop, ZE Menswear, I've been sewing to build my collection for others, rather than sewing for myself. In the grand scheme of things, wearing my own designs is the greatest opportunity I have to advertise my shop. Nonetheless, sewing for myself has been easier said than done.

In 3 weeks, I'll be taking a cruise to the Caribbean, so in an effort to look my best on vacation and thereafter, I made a promise. The promise is that for every garment I make for my shop, I will make a garment for myself. It's the best way to show off ZE Menswear brand in the streets.

Several months ago, I cut up a pair of old jeans and made them into a short pant. Rather than throwing away the scraps, I saved them for an up-cycle project.

For this particular tank top, "Denim Star", I wanted to incorporate the denim within the yoke on the back and front of the tank top, similar to western shirts, but with a twist. Unfortunately, I didn't sew the denim onto the front and back panels of the tank top prior to stitching them together, so incorporating the denim afterwards truly didn't work.

So I improvised and created stars and abstract swirls from additional scraps and applied them to the tank top, starting at the top left shoulder toward the back spine in a asymmetrical design.

Other details include a split placket on the chest and wide bands around the arms and neck.

Once the tank top was finished, I still debated whether or not I should sell the tank top in my shop or not. Lol! Seeing so many things in my shop makes me happy!

Fashion Night Out | 1 Day Sale

Excited about attending Fashion Night Out for the first year as a fashion designer, ZE Menswear is hosting our very own 1 Day Sale offering 20% off. Simply use coupon code FNO11 at our online Etsy store here.