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Coming to America

House of Boateng

Coming to America

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Coming to America	Posted on Jun 23 2006 at 1:03pm by jughead3708
I love his stuff! I think his style is just what America needs right now, especially for men now that being a metrosexual is fashionable. He plays with color and texture while keeping it masculine. The bright colors still have deep tones to them so they're not neon and "fay". My only issue is... Him coming to America...his race is going to be an issue. Hold on before you start saying "Oh god not the race card". Let's be honest, people still get hung up on race in the sense that they believe certain races or ethnic groups are only good at certain things. Not racist, just cultural prejudice, which influences many business decisions. Would you go to a Mexican restuarant owned by an Irish cat? Or likewise go to a Jamaican eatery where a guy from Kansas is behind the counter and his skin is as pale as whiteout? None of these examples are "factual" reasons to not patronize the establishment (cleaniness, sevice, etc.) but the "truth" we see when we enter is nonetheless real. He is going to experience that sort of prejudice when he tries to get a shop in trendy and expensive Beverly Hills or Rodeo or Century City. If he worked at the shop, that's one thing, but the designer and owner is another. Folks believe men's fashion is an Italian thing, or tailoring is an Armenian thing...not necessarily a Black Ghanaian's thing from Britain...& he's not GAY...forget about it!! But that will keep me coming back to see what happens. And when I get the money...he is designing my clothes for my wedding!!!

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 23 2006 at 7:22pm by moscowsophie
Well said ...Wow, the first decent thing I have seen in a long time, he is so great and just want oswald to win. I will spread the word from the roof tops that at last there is a man who is good at what he does without the color of his skin getting in the way, i feel stupid even to mention it as it is irrelevant. We should look at the Europeans, for this freedom, maybe oswald should getinto poloitics. I can not wait to see next week . Well done Sundance you have got something really amazing here. Does he do women's ?

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 27 2006 at 12:52pm by littlemamadukes
This man has something which Everyone wants--the ability and creativity to make millions, those doors won't be able to remain shut. In this case, those doors will open and they won't see black brown purple or pink. They will see Green for money. Oswald has nothing to worry about and he sure is one very handsome and distinctive looking man of color.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Aug 4 2006 at 12:07am by kathythall
The guy is the epitome of hip, he is so cool and he does seem like a really nice guy which counts for a lot in my book. I enter the contest everyday, would be an absolute blast to have hubby outfitted by Oswald.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 23 2006 at 7:30pm by daremyb
I'd have to agree. Already on some other men's fashion message boards posters are talking about "Boateng is too smug driving around in his Bentley" and "he has no charisma." Mind you none of these criticisms, which are really just subjective opinions, have anything to do with the man's talent. But these criticism are the kind of thing that a Black man goes through when he steps outside of "the box" and pursues a profession that is outside of societal expectations for a Black man. These shallow criticisms reflect the attitudes of mainstream society and these attitudes are not lost in the business realm. Hopefully, during the course of the show the issues of race and ethnicity and Ozwald being a heterosexual designer will be broached.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 23 2006 at 7:54pm by moscowsophie
Oswald has stepped outside of the box of confinment and tarnished and so consequensly expectation of what a Black man is in US , smees to be suddenly old news. Times are changed =as a white mother with a Nigerian husband and 4 children from that marriage, I can see Oswald's role being more than fashion or `TV show man, but a man that walks in and out of places in our sociecty that only few are allowed too.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 7 2006 at 10:04am by kyburzbo
i love when you said: "a man that walks in and out of places in our sociecty . . ." everyone can relate to this, whether we're talking about race, size, class, gender, etc. and, well, there IS the accent ")

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 25 2006 at 5:08pm by renegadepr
Coming to America Race not withstanding, everyone adores a "self-made man!" Ozwald Boateng embodies this in a sincerely upbeat, positive sort of way. Money opens doors in America. And the elite, status concious class, not to be confused with the "old monied" or the noveau riche, will flock to him to buy into the status of being one of the first to own a Bespoke Couture suit. As a personal shopper for men, his tailoring is exquiste. His use of color, bold & inventive! Behind the scenes in the best couturiers houses in Europe are tailors from West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria & Senegal). They are sample makers and fine tailors alike. By setting aside stereotypes (men in fashion MUST be gay?),Upscale America could use some "black love flavor" in their men's fashion, why should the staid old names be the only traditionally custom suits made for American Men? For that matter, as a woman I want to own one myself!

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 26 2006 at 12:13am by kesiwaa
Quite honestly, this show blew my mind(his designs are smokin, American men are about to learn how to be smokin' because of Ozwald). And I agree with the previous comment, the minute I can afford them my Mr. Future will be sporting one of his classics on our wedding day. As he said, "do what comes easy to you"...thank God for his passion. His ads are everywhere in little brazil, I had my west African uncle get Sundance so we can enjoy the show. Do your thing Ozwald you setting the bar high. Congrats to Sundance for airing quality shows.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 14 2006 at 11:43pm by xtr_cool
While the talk about race/color being an hurdle to surmount in the American market is a FACT (situational reality)...The TRUTH (Unchanging Reality) is that, this can be played-down.I dont see how different the situation is from what the skeptics must have said to the first invention of the Air-plane, when man tried to prove to GRAVITY that it is limited in its hold....THE REST IS STORY to us all now.....Oswald...I can only say one thing: Follow your dream, Do your homework and be rest assured that Men (and women) will be looking for you....... I have started a saving-scheme to make my first purchase....which could happen in the coming year....lol

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jun 29 2006 at 9:27pm by lylucas
The thing that was the most striking to me was his tacit refusal to be victimized. His race hasn't even entered the discussion. And as daremyb mentioned, he's being characterized as arrogant, which IMHO is just his self assurance, based on his experience, and achievements to date. I hope race doesn't enter the picture, but this is America, and even as a fashion icon, he's not exempt.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 6 2006 at 12:37am by lawriqui
[i] I've been a fan of Mr. Boateng's since 2000 and own several shirts of his. Although his ethnic background may be an issue for some here I think his talent will out way the narrow minded. \|I just hope he maintains ownership of his stores and blows everyone out of the water! He simply is a craftsman who has a new way to dress men and women. Americans who like to dress well will flock to him when they realize what they've been missing and sadly knockoffs will abound; I'm sure of that. America prepare to have your definition of taste tuned up!!! Peace & Respect

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 12 2006 at 2:34pm by nj2l84u
Mr. Boateng's beautiful- inside & out. I see his fashions hit more locations on the East Coast. I'd also specifically like to see him 'land' and take off from Philadelphia up to NYC ASAP! I am a size 16, 48 year old disabled woman whom gets around in a wheelchair thanks to Multiple Sclerosis-My hubby is a big bear of a fella whom has not worn anything smaller than a 40 waste pant since 1981.Here's hoping a great designer like Mr. Boateng will branch out to "larger" folks. Oh,we signed up for the trip to London contest- if we were to win, we'd refuse the outfit&cash and have Mr. Boateng donate it to a fund raiser for a world charity of his choice. [b]

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 6 2006 at 11:50pm by shannonwiltshire
I love Boetang's House but I think that his vision for taking America is flawed. He has a superstar quality to him which cannot be separated from his brand. He is also very creative and gifted. The man has a good buzz going so at this point it's all about execution. Americans love exclusivety as we get bored quickly. Remember Superstars in America have a short lifespan. The key is to make us continue to want Boetang. Keep it fresh, keep it original but keep it just out of reach. Everybody wants what they can't afford. Call me man I have some ideas you'll like. shannonwiltshire@aol.com

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 7 2006 at 10:01am by kyburzbo
race is irrelevant w/r/t Ozwald, i believe. his personality transcends the issue, and his clothes demonstrate talent that likewise expands our ways of considering him (well, for those who find race worth thinking about in the context of creativity and tailoring--it's just such a nonissue, for me, although i'm not naive about the struggles of people of color). i would love to have a suit from Ozwald . . . i'm a woman, but a cool man's suit, handmade, w/ attention from such a cool guy . . . i'm into it. my trouble would be size. i'm not a 2 ')

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 8 2006 at 4:14pm by carrdbrh
Creativity has nothing to do with race, but as usual, that's all that most "White Americans" think about. i put the quotation marks on the above because it's really funny that whites who parent's are manybe one or two generations from Europe or elsewhere are considered Americans whereas blacks who have been in this country much longer are considered "African Americans". Unfortunately "American" black people are quite talented in any field in the planet and it's time you got over it. After all, we are (at least people who are not Pale) are the majority rather than minority) so like it or not, Ozwald is a fine designer-I'm sure that he has experienced the above as well in London, therefore, he will probably be quite able to adjust to whatever racism he should enocunter here. After all he's been in the fashion scene for almost 20 years. You seem a little jealous.

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 10 2006 at 6:35am by bharper033
I can understand where you are coming from, but I still beleive that he has already crossed so many cultural barriers that it has almost become a non-issue for him. Being British willl work for him as well, Americans love a british accent whether it comes from someone black white or purple, as they noted in the second episode. I would hate for what you are saying to be the case for OB b/c his talent and style should speak for itself...

Re: Coming to America	Posted on Jul 10 2006 at 4:47pm by bobsledgirl
I just find it so annoying that everyone is always so concerned about race and what one race should or should not be doing. Can't we just let the man design? Does it really need to become a race issue?

RE: Coming to America	Posted on Aug 4 2006 at 12:18pm by drodney
jughead3708 wrote: (Jun 23 2006 @ 01:03pm) I love his stuff! I think his style is just what America needs right now, especially for men now that being a metrosexual is fashionable. He plays with color and texture while keeping it masculine. The bright colors still have deep tones to them so they're not neon and "fay". My only issue is... Him coming to America...his race is going to be an issue. Hold on before you start saying "Oh god not the race card". Let's be honest, people still get hung up on race in the sense that they believe certain races or ethnic groups are only good at certain things. Not racist, just cultural prejudice, which influences many business decisions. Would you go to a Mexican restuarant owned by an Irish cat? Or likewise go to a Jamaican eatery where a guy from Kansas is behind the counter and his skin is as pale as whiteout? None of these examples are "factual" reasons to not patronize the establishment (cleaniness, sevice, etc.) but the "truth" we see when we enter is nonetheless real. He is going to experience that sort of prejudice when he tries to get a shop in trendy and expensive Beverly Hills or Rodeo or Century City. If he worked at the shop, that's one thing, but the designer and owner is another. Folks believe men's fashion is an Italian thing, or tailoring is an Armenian thing...not necessarily a Black Ghanaian's thing from Britain...& he's not GAY...forget about it!! But that will keep me coming back to see what happens. And when I get the money...he is designing my clothes for my wedding!!! Ozwald has already established a great name for himself on Saville Row, which from this side of the ditch is regarded as the very quintesence of rigid tradition. Breaking down the barriers in the USA should be a cakewalk after that.