By Ralph Lauren of the Ghetto
Fo' Sho Staff Writer

Everyone has dreams of making it big in their own way. In the urban communities, many people dream of working in the hip hop industry. As things have expanded over the years, hip hop is no longer solely dedicated to rapping and singing. Any savvy businessman would find a way to find some sort of work within the hip hop industry.

Many urban youth who are artistic often dream of launching hip hop clothing lines. But, as reality sets in, these dreams usually die. However, there are several people who end up getting involved in these dreams and refuse to stop until the goal is reached. There are a few clothing lines that were submitted to Fo' Sho and we had to ask the question, can an independent clothing line last?

Of course, hip hop will forever be tied to Sean John and Rocawear, but can an outsider, within the urban community, launch a successful clothing line that can stand the test of time?

NGC Life

NGC Life was actually founded in 1998, but the launch has taken time. Trey Hollis, a Compton native, created the clothing line. But, as real life, a wife and children, set in, he had to take time off from his dream.

Initially, his clothing line was called Nutz Gear, but he rebranded in 2011. For years, he has been trying to launch. However, following extensive internet searches, he found Spreadshirt.com and he posted his designs.

Not only did he post the designs, he also teamed up with local movement, Kool Gang, and his products are selling moderately well online. While NGC Life is doing very well online, a time will come when people will have to see the physical products. When this time comes, will the company be able to deliver and will the product be accepted enough to launch into the big time?

Made Men Apparel

Made Men Apparel is the branchild of New Jersey native, Michael Gambino. He launched his clothing line in 2009. Following a year of hard work, he began to see the rewards of his labor.

Going on two years, Made Men Apparel has won over nearly 1,000 Facebook fans. Not only is the clothing line popular, but it is selling very well. One reason it has done so well is because of the Mafioso undertones.

Many rappers and hip hop fans are also intrigued by the myth that is organized crime and Made Men Apparel gives right into these thoughts. Because of this, Michael Gambino and his team have done very well in winning over new customers. While the appeal is broad, the question arises, ten years from now, will the clothing line have the staying power to remain a top seller?

Royal Gear Clothing

In the eyes of many, Royal Gear Clothing is a joke because the products have yet to see the light of day. During the summer of 2008, the clothing line was launched by a struggling filmmaker. A few shirts were printed before the clothing line went dormant.

Royal Gear resurfaced in 2010 with Lil Wayne-themed products. The products built a small following, but they never saw the light of day. A dispute ensued and Royal Gear was shelved again until late 2010.

Now, under new management, Royal Gear has several hip hop artists serving as the "faces" of the company. The shirts are designed by artist, Rudy Mardy, and the new owners are beginning to start several promotions for the new products in the next few months. Ever since January, the clothing line has been putting together a marketing campaign.

Several independent businessmen and companies have been working hard to launch clothing lines. Even the simplest of designs take a lot of time and hard work. More than the work, each product costs a significant amount of money. The average child has dreams of launching glamorous businesses like Diddy and Jay-Z, but when it is time to put in the work, they realize how hard it is. This, along with the uncertain economy, is why many of these upstart ventures never last.

But, is it possible one of the clothing lines mentioned above could end up prospering and competing with some of the establishment clothing lines?

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By Ralph Lauren of the Ghetto
Fo' Sho Staff Writer

Everyone has dreams of making it big in their own way. In the urban communities, many people dream of working in the hip hop industry. As things have expanded over the years, hip hop is no longer solely dedicated to rapping and singing. Any savvy businessman would find a way to find some sort of work within the hip hop industry.

Many urban youth who are artistic often dream of launching hip hop clothing lines. But, as reality sets in, these dreams usually die. However, there are several people who end up getting involved in these dreams and refuse to stop until the goal is reached. There are a few clothing lines that were submitted to Fo' Sho and we had to ask the question, can an independent clothing line last?

Of course, hip hop will forever be tied to Sean John and Rocawear, but can an outsider, within the urban community, launch a successful clothing line that can stand the test of time?

NGC Life

NGC Life was actually founded in 1998, but the launch has taken time. Trey Hollis, a Compton native, created the clothing line. But, as real life, a wife and children, set in, he had to take time off from his dream.

Initially, his clothing line was called Nutz Gear, but he rebranded in 2011. For years, he has been trying to launch. However, following extensive internet searches, he found Spreadshirt.com and he posted his designs.

Not only did he post the designs, he also teamed up with local movement, Kool Gang, and his products are selling moderately well online. While NGC Life is doing very well online, a time will come when people will have to see the physical products. When this time comes, will the company be able to deliver and will the product be accepted enough to launch into the big time?

Made Men Apparel

Made Men Apparel is the branchild of New Jersey native, Michael Gambino. He launched his clothing line in 2009. Following a year of hard work, he began to see the rewards of his labor.

Going on two years, Made Men Apparel has won over nearly 1,000 Facebook fans. Not only is the clothing line popular, but it is selling very well. One reason it has done so well is because of the Mafioso undertones.

Many rappers and hip hop fans are also intrigued by the myth that is organized crime and Made Men Apparel gives right into these thoughts. Because of this, Michael Gambino and his team have done very well in winning over new customers. While the appeal is broad, the question arises, ten years from now, will the clothing line have the staying power to remain a top seller?

Royal Gear Clothing

In the eyes of many, Royal Gear Clothing is a joke because the products have yet to see the light of day. During the summer of 2008, the clothing line was launched by a struggling filmmaker. A few shirts were printed before the clothing line went dormant.

Royal Gear resurfaced in 2010 with Lil Wayne-themed products. The products built a small following, but they never saw the light of day. A dispute ensued and Royal Gear was shelved again until late 2010.

Now, under new management, Royal Gear has several hip hop artists serving as the "faces" of the company. The shirts are designed by artist, Rudy Mardy, and the new owners are beginning to start several promotions for the new products in the next few months. Ever since January, the clothing line has been putting together a marketing campaign.

Several independent businessmen and companies have been working hard to launch clothing lines. Even the simplest of designs take a lot of time and hard work. More than the work, each product costs a significant amount of money. The average child has dreams of launching glamorous businesses like Diddy and Jay-Z, but when it is time to put in the work, they realize how hard it is. This, along with the uncertain economy, is why many of these upstart ventures never last.

But, is it possible one of the clothing lines mentioned above could end up prospering and competing with some of the establishment clothing lines?


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