DJ Khaled

2007-07-23T17:01:00.000-04:00

Reggie Bush in ESPN Magazine talking to Emmit Smith

2007-07-16T12:15:00.000-04:00

Rick Ross 107.9 Birthday Bash!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-07-10T17:33:00.000-04:00

Al Harrington

2007-07-03T08:41:00.001-04:00

Al Harrington of the Golden State Warriors hosted NBA All Star event at Studio 9 in New Jersey Sat

Dj Finesse

2007-06-15T12:10:00.000-04:00

Kevin Durant

2007-06-08T07:37:00.000-04:00

Blac Label Premium AD

2007-06-05T10:45:00.000-04:00

HIP-HOP DX - Eye on Style Scouting Report: Blac Label Premium - Friday, June 1, 2007 | Author: Miss Fab

2007-06-01T18:05:00.000-04:00

Okay, I can’t say I’ve always been a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Today, you’d be more likely to catch me in a skirt or dress pants and jeweled flats or heels. But I can say that when a man wears the right combination of a fly, unique tee, a pair of nicely pressed (and well-cut) jeans and a just-as-fly pair of sneakers or shoes, it’s more than a turn-on.

For those with a confident swagger to match, a T-shirt and jeans isn’t something you just throw on – it’s a conscious effort of style and expression.

Somos Thompson, head designer of Blac Label, knows all about that. And I got the chance to speak with him, a cutie in his own style lane, about how to make the effort for others a little more, well, effortless.

DXStyle: Explain exactly what Blac Label is and what it offers to the market as far as fashion is concerned.

Somos Thompson: Blac Label is inspired by Miami nightlife, so the club scene is a major factor in the overall product. We try to make a product that can be worn during a regular day, but still savvy for the nightlife scene.

DXStyle: What items are offered under the Blac Label umbrella? Is it just T-shirts?

ST: Tees, hoodies, track (jackets) -- jeans are finally here. The girls line Blac Label Pink™ is on the way… (We’re) just gradually growing and continuing to give “Premuim products,” as we like to say.

DXStyle: So, Somos, what does your job entail?

ST: I do the designs and come up with the concepts and colors, with the help of the vice president of product development. Together, he and I supervise six (other) designers.

DXStyle: Explain what inspires you and how the company sets trends in urban wear with the designs.

ST: Anything inspires us. It starts with magazines and movies, or just going to the club. In the office, we have inspiration boards of pics that help us out a lot. But we, Blac Label as a brand, don’t design for it to be urban wear. We want the kid in the O.C. to think it’s just as hot as a kid in Harlem.

DXStyle: Tell me about your background in fashion and how you got to the position you are now?

ST: Being from D.C., the independent fashion game was strong when I was coming up -- lines like Aja Imani; Mchunu; Madness. And as an artist, I just gravitated toward it. I wanted to take the D.C. style to another level. Just putting in countless time of learning art programs, I developed the ability to design -- no real formal training, just the will and the eye. It’s a real talent. After graduating from Hampton University, I met the right people at the right time.

DXStyle: What is your personal sense of style in a nutshell? Are you a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy or a button down, dressy kind of guy?

ST: I’m a Blac Label tee, maybe a hoodie, jeans, aviator dude. I’m really into watches, so I got a nice collection I’m building up.

DXStyle: Name some fashion icons who inspire you and why they are important.

ST: Mike Black, (vice president of Blac Label), who is a mentor, has taught me a lot and is still teaching; Jay-Z because he just has the ability to start a trend and really have a following. It’s crazy -- he can really sell water to a whale; Jim Jones, just because he seems to really be the reason a lot of people have slimmed down the look that wouldn’t have made the change; Y-3 (fashion label) just for the simplicity but the edge.

DXStyle: Would you consider yourself a trendsetter? I know you used to design when you were at Hampton, so I'm wondering if you're continuing that side hustle or whether you're just applying that to what you're doing for Blac Label.

ST: I try to be a trendsetter, but at the same time I just do what feels comfy. Every minute is spent trying to perfect Blac Label …Practice makes perfect.

DXStyle: You mentioned the Miami nightlife and it being an inspiration for the label. How do you think the designs embody that notion?

ST: Most clubs use (fashion) as an excuse to control who they let in. When you get in the party, there’s still 3 or 4 guys that have on tees. So we make clothes to get around that problem. Blac Label allows you to look like you’re somebody to get around that situation.

DXStyle: But why Miami nightlife for an inspiration for the Blac Label? I mean, the company is based out of Virginia Beach, Va. What's the story behind that?

ST: It’s more than just Miami, but in certain areas – Cali, New York, D.C. We wanted to design a line that could fit into any of those surroundings.

DXStyle: And where can you find Black Label?
Right now we’re in a bunch of stores across the U.S. -- Up Against the Wall, Last Stop, Micheal K (in New York, N.Y.), D.T.L.R. (Downtown Locker Room) and the list goes on. Also check out www.blaclabelpremium.com.

DXStyle: Well, thanks Somos for talking with me. This has been great.

ST: Anytime!!!!!!!!

Blac Label
3409 Chandler Creek Rd.
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453
www.blaclabelpremium.com

Akon Rocking the "Don't Cross Me" Tee

2007-06-01T12:26:00.001-04:00

Akon Rocking the "Don't Cross Me" Tee

2007-06-01T12:26:00.000-04:00

Reggie Bush & Kim Kardashian

2007-05-31T09:32:00.000-04:00

Reggie Bush living the life in a Blac Label tee.

T.I. - Big Things Poppin' Video Shoot

2007-05-31T09:22:00.000-04:00

Rick Ross @ Fever 4/15/07

2007-05-31T09:14:00.000-04:00

Clinton Sparks - E! Networks Daily 10 Get Familiar

2007-05-31T09:11:00.001-04:00

Clinton Sparks gets familiar with Collie Buddz and a Blac Label Hoodie

Pepsi Smash Photo Shoot

2007-05-30T16:23:00.000-04:00

May 5, 2007

2007-05-30T15:36:00.000-04:00

March 12, 2007

2007-05-30T15:27:00.000-04:00

February 5, 2007

2007-05-30T14:59:00.000-04:00

2007-05-30T14:23:00.000-04:00

NEW SHOOT

2007-05-25T09:23:00.000-04:00

HEAVEN & HELL

2007-01-10T10:24:00.000-05:00

Been a min since i checked in with the latest...alot of traveling, researching and sampling going, but im back with the new "HEAVEN" & "HELL" hoodies...plus new jeans samples!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEAVEN

HELL

BASIC RAW JEAN

Getting our Spins

2006-12-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Idris Elba of the "THE WIRE" held it down for BLAC LABEL as the dj at the MGM's "Rocky Balboa" Premiere Release Kick-Off Bash....

NEW HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-12-12T17:28:00.000-05:00

New hot came in today...i couldn't help but rockout in the new "REBEL YELL" hoodie with the dragons on the sleeve....but the NEW NEW HOTTTTTT™ is the "MORE GUNS THAN ROSES" hoodie with the full embroidery guns!!!!!!!

AF1 25th Anniversary

2006-12-12T09:24:00.000-05:00

Shoutouts to Eddie Curry of the NEW YORK KNICKS for cutting thru the NIKE AF1 25th Anniversary party in the new BLAC LABEL™ collage hoodie...this hoodie is in stores right now, and it also comes in BLACK

SAMPLES LOVE DAY!!!!!!!

2006-12-08T16:12:00.000-05:00

Some more spring heat came into today....

KENNY BURNS

2006-12-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

Shoutouts to my man KB and everybody at STUDIO 43 RECORDS

SPRING SAMPLES (Jan delivery)

2006-11-27T19:17:00.000-05:00

Samples came in today, one hotttttt hoodie and and bunch of hot tees, should be out by Jan

TAKING OVER THE WORLD

2006-11-27T15:08:00.000-05:00

This is a special shirt designed to show that BLAC LABEL is international.....represented by BLAC LABEL written in 4 different languages

NEW YORK LOVE

2006-11-14T13:56:00.001-05:00

Went to NY this weekend, and took a trip to Fordham Rd. out in the BRONX.....walked in SAMMY'S and they had BLAC LABEL up on the rack....

Walked a couple blocks down the block to see more BLAC LABEL love.....

Both stores had limited pieces and said that they the hoodies were selling fast.....

HOLIDAY/WINTER SAMPLES

2006-11-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

SOME HOTTTTTTTT NEW HOODIES SAMPLES CAME IN TODAY...

HONG KONG

2006-11-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

Haven't been able to post as much as i would like....took a trip to Hong Kong and China, spent some time with Charles, our manufacturer.....Hong Kong was great, China was something new, best experience ever

DC 51 HOWARD'S HOMECOMING

2006-11-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

This was the first official day the District 51 clothing boutique was open....with an exclusive BLAC LABEL tee for the store's opening, couldn't miss the event. With it being Howard University's homecoming also, the store was packed and so was Georgia Ave. The District 51 crew showed mad love....shoutouts to everyone over there, truly appreciate it District 51's Blog

Mt. Trashmore

2006-10-03T16:12:00.000-04:00

A look @ the most recent photo shoot out @ Mt. Trashmore-VA Beach

Latest

2006-10-03T16:05:00.000-04:00

Small preview of some of the latest in the works......... HOT!

Sneak Peak

2006-09-14T15:41:00.000-04:00

In route to stores as we speak.... a must have in the collection.

In Stores Now

2006-09-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

A look @ some of the latest to hit stores.

MAGIC 06

2006-09-03T18:57:00.000-04:00

Did alot of business and alot of chillen...heres the latest pics that Alex shot!!!!!

Alotta people cut thru the booth....Larry Hughes of the CAVS cut thru

Big Tigg was in the booth both days chopping it up with us!!!!!

I even found time to talk a lil business with Emmit, owner of AKADEMIKS

Definetly got the inside sneak peak over at the JORDAN BRAND booth with designer, Gemo and the President, Larry Miller

All business stopped when Big Tigg bought BUFFIE thru the booth

Shoutouts to my man D. HARP and TRAV and the whole FAMOUS crew for all the love ya'll was showing!!!!

Man Chaddy and Quan Love in V.I.P at the GOOD MUSIC party

V.I.P's EVERYWHERE

2006-08-21T15:35:00.000-04:00

Blac Label was in V.I.P once again with the bottle's poppin.....shoutouts to Night Life Link for the pics

YOUNG JOC

2006-08-18T09:03:00.000-04:00

Young Joc rocking Blac Label at his in-store album signing in New York....his new album, New Joc City, is in stores now!!!

WEEKEND RAP UP

2006-08-16T13:22:00.000-04:00

Woke up Saturday feeling great, I swiped up some friends and hit the mall. What better advertisement than wearing the shirts yourself? What started off as a photoshoot, turned into a natural day out on Granby Street, AN ALL DAY EVENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we loaded up the trunk, and the Canon Kid grabbed his REBEL (camera) and we hit the streets.

Before we could even get started shooting forreal when seen HEAVEN on four wheels!!!!

We couldn't help but get a closer look...I bet Calypso $200 he wouldn't touch it, and like normal he punked out and laughed it off!!!!

After all the excitement about the Phantom, we got a lil hungry, so we made a pit stop at GUSTO'S PIZZA....

The next move was to hit the car, change shirts...but as we all know u can't go a day without a good arguement. So whose steak is better RUTH CHRIS or Ruby Tuesday?

After that arguement went no where, we decided to take over the mall and holla at our girl Shay from VANS

Blac Label Prada Tee

2006-08-12T17:17:00.000-04:00

Some new Blac Label shirts that just hit stores a couple weeks ago.....these are called the "PRADA" tee. Shoutouts to Mikealis for coming thru for the shoot, I rocks with FRONTSIDE hardbody™!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy day

2006-08-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a veryyyyyyyyyyy busy day. Tone (DTLR) came to the office to see our latest samples!!!

Such a busy day, Alex came in extra early to get his EGGO love....Thanks BULLDOG for the toaster!!!!!

Soul Brothers

2006-08-10T11:53:00.000-04:00

Meeting with Soul Brothers went great!!!! Got a good response from some young kids about the hoodies, definetly needed that love™.......Sorry Chris, couldnt let u keep that hoodie, hope the poker game went great!!!!

End of the day

2006-08-09T17:29:00.000-04:00

FINALLY, The day is over!!!!!!! But not really, business never stops....got a meeting with Chris from Sole Brothers Sk8 Shop....

Alex is making moves in his first full week, i guess its the EGGO's thats keeping him focused!!!!!

While I, continue to multi-task between TECK-PACKS, the sidekick, blackberry and CONFRENCE CALLS!!!!!!

Hoodie Samples

2006-08-09T10:50:00.000-04:00

Came in today hype from yesterdays samples only to get moreeeeeeeeeeee HOT samples....it seems like X-MAS everytime we get something new samples!!!!

Alex, stay trying on the hoodies, knowing samples are way to big......the "BONES mark the spot" hoodie is coming in white and black!!!!!

The other color way of the the skull paisely came in too....i cant figure out which one is hotter, the grey or the black paisely!!!

After looking at the hoodies samples, Me and Alex took the matching tees to the conference room to get a better look, since everyone in the office couldnt keep there hands of them.

"FEAR NO EVIL" tee is the perfect match with the JORDAN V NUBUCKS....they release on 8.19.06

This is enough heat for one day,gotta go do some work now....WORKING ON SPRING 07!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Beginning

2006-08-08T17:28:00.000-04:00

YOYO™ we gonna start of with BACK TO SCHOOL hoodie samples.....definetly a new direction for BLAC LABEL™

Shoutouts to ALEX, myspace.com/canon_kid, with the pic editing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great match up to the JORDAN GRAPE V'S dropping 9.30.06!!!!!!!!!!!