Blue Note Records knows a thing or two about music. Ropeadope Industries knows a thing or two about fashion.
Now, the two companies are joining forces to launch a line of clothing, A New Perspective.
The collection, consisting primarily of T-shirts, draws inspiration from classic Blue Note artwork. Specifically, the clothes feature reinterpretations of album covers, images and text/design treatments.
For this partnership, Blue Note is licensing all the designs to Ropeadope (an offshoot of Ropeadope Records), which will pay royalties based on sales.
The 100% cotton jersey knit T-shirts are supplied by American Apparel.
Accompanying the launch of A New Perspective is the April 20 release of “Blue Note Revisited." The 13-track collection features contemporary artists remixing vintage recordings.
The shirts are currently available for $20 at bluenote.com and ropeadope.com. They are being presented to lifestyle boutiques and independent record stores worldwide, where they will retail for $26-$28. The shirts will be distributed in the United States by Zero Traders, which will work with various agents and distributors around the world.
According to Blue Note VP of marketing Zach Hochkeppel, there is substantial international interest in the collection-particularly in Japan, France and the United Kingdom.
“Blue Note has great brand recognition around the world," Hochkeppel says. “It's known by people in the worlds of jazz, hip-hop, DJ culture and jam bands. A wide variety of people are hip to the Blue Note name."
Indeed, Blue Note has an incredibly rich history. A New Perspective celebrates and recognizes this-but not in an overt, in-your-face way.
“For us, it had to be more subtle," Hochkeppel notes. “You're either hip to the references, or you're not."
Blue Note and Ropeadope began discussing design ideas last year, Hochkeppel says. At the time, both companies noticed that Madison Avenue was co-opting the design ethic of the old Blue Note covers.
“We began looking for evergreen [Blue Note] images," Hochkeppel explains. “Cool messages and cool graphics were also key. These clothes are for those in the know, as well as for those who simply like the message or design."
The initial wave of the New Perspective line focuses on album covers by Reid Miles, Blue Note's chief designer in the '60s, and Francis Wolff.
Featured music artists include Art Blakey ("Indestructible"), McCoy Tyner ("The Real McCoy"), Larry Young ("Unity") and Ornette Coleman ("Love Call").
“These shirts say a lot about the times we're living in," says Lainie Copicotto, president of Aurelia Entertainment, a marketing firm. “And some of the messages are as timely as ever."
She continues, “You can protest without saying anything at all. You let the shirt do all the talking. At the same time, you can be listening to 'Blue Note Revisited' on your iPod. Fashion and music have never been more connected."
“Blue Note Revisited" features remixes by DJ/producers Herbert (Michel Petrucciani's “Caravan"), Jazzanova (Eddie Gale's “Song of Will"), Kenny Dope (Bobby Hutcherson's “La Malanga") and others.
The CD and A New Perspective were heavily promoted and marketed at the Blue Note Jazz Fest, held the week of April 5 in Paris.
At press time, Hochkeppel was getting the new fashion line into the hands of such Blue Note artists as Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis and Medeski, Martin & Wood.
“We'll be giving shirts to the entire Blue Note roster," he says. “And while we would never impose it on our artists, we hope that they might wear the shirts on the street, in fashion shoots or onstage."
Good news. Jones has already been spotted wearing the designs. Ditto for DJ/producer King Britt, jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, actor/comedian Dave Chappelle and others.
Now, the two companies are joining forces to launch a line of clothing, A New Perspective.
The collection, consisting primarily of T-shirts, draws inspiration from classic Blue Note artwork. Specifically, the clothes feature reinterpretations of album covers, images and text/design treatments.
For this partnership, Blue Note is licensing all the designs to Ropeadope (an offshoot of Ropeadope Records), which will pay royalties based on sales.
The 100% cotton jersey knit T-shirts are supplied by American Apparel.
Accompanying the launch of A New Perspective is the April 20 release of “Blue Note Revisited." The 13-track collection features contemporary artists remixing vintage recordings.
The shirts are currently available for $20 at bluenote.com and ropeadope.com. They are being presented to lifestyle boutiques and independent record stores worldwide, where they will retail for $26-$28. The shirts will be distributed in the United States by Zero Traders, which will work with various agents and distributors around the world.
According to Blue Note VP of marketing Zach Hochkeppel, there is substantial international interest in the collection-particularly in Japan, France and the United Kingdom.
“Blue Note has great brand recognition around the world," Hochkeppel says. “It's known by people in the worlds of jazz, hip-hop, DJ culture and jam bands. A wide variety of people are hip to the Blue Note name."
Indeed, Blue Note has an incredibly rich history. A New Perspective celebrates and recognizes this-but not in an overt, in-your-face way.
“For us, it had to be more subtle," Hochkeppel notes. “You're either hip to the references, or you're not."
Blue Note and Ropeadope began discussing design ideas last year, Hochkeppel says. At the time, both companies noticed that Madison Avenue was co-opting the design ethic of the old Blue Note covers.
“We began looking for evergreen [Blue Note] images," Hochkeppel explains. “Cool messages and cool graphics were also key. These clothes are for those in the know, as well as for those who simply like the message or design."
The initial wave of the New Perspective line focuses on album covers by Reid Miles, Blue Note's chief designer in the '60s, and Francis Wolff.
Featured music artists include Art Blakey ("Indestructible"), McCoy Tyner ("The Real McCoy"), Larry Young ("Unity") and Ornette Coleman ("Love Call").
“These shirts say a lot about the times we're living in," says Lainie Copicotto, president of Aurelia Entertainment, a marketing firm. “And some of the messages are as timely as ever."
She continues, “You can protest without saying anything at all. You let the shirt do all the talking. At the same time, you can be listening to 'Blue Note Revisited' on your iPod. Fashion and music have never been more connected."
“Blue Note Revisited" features remixes by DJ/producers Herbert (Michel Petrucciani's “Caravan"), Jazzanova (Eddie Gale's “Song of Will"), Kenny Dope (Bobby Hutcherson's “La Malanga") and others.
The CD and A New Perspective were heavily promoted and marketed at the Blue Note Jazz Fest, held the week of April 5 in Paris.
At press time, Hochkeppel was getting the new fashion line into the hands of such Blue Note artists as Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis and Medeski, Martin & Wood.
“We'll be giving shirts to the entire Blue Note roster," he says. “And while we would never impose it on our artists, we hope that they might wear the shirts on the street, in fashion shoots or onstage."
Good news. Jones has already been spotted wearing the designs. Ditto for DJ/producer King Britt, jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, actor/comedian Dave Chappelle and others.
~ By Michael Paoletta (Billboard.biz)
For more information contact All About Jazz.
