Chicago's Lupe Fiasco is known as a rapper, but ever since his debut album, Food & Liquor, as much has been made of what he wears as what he says. So it should come as no surprise that, like many other hip-hop artists (and like the everlasting desires of certain mouthy icons of rap and fashion), Lupe has a clothing line, called Trilly and Truly. What might come as a surprise is that he and co-designer Marisol Martinez are putting together the beginnings of a high-end collection that will resonate far beyond Fiasco's typical fan base.
The Style Blog got an exclusive look at the first two pieces of this new collection, called Overthrown Junta by Trilly and Truly. And while the name is a mouthful, the classic leather motorcycle jackets (with a camouflage twist) are a sight for sore eyes. Both the long-sleeve and sleeveless versions are made in New York by Coyote Leathers — a manufacturer tapped by some of fashion's biggest names — and indicate a sense of humor that in no way obfuscates the attention to detail in the garments. The jackets retail for $4,000 and $3,000, respectively, which ain't bad considering the best leather jackets can last a lifetime. Overthrown Junta will be hitting RSVP Gallery in Chicago (a store/gallery owned and operated by Kayne business partner Don C.) in the next three weeks, and the designers are in negotiations with several other boutiques. After that, who knows? But we hope the plan is to keep conceiving slightly off-kilter pieces and nailing the execution.
