Jan
26
Exclusive: Andre 3000’s clothing line w/ financial issues
Business, Exclusives, Fashion, Featured


Andre Benjamin just launched his Benjamin Bixby clothing line a little over four months ago. Unfortunately for him, the high-fashion but high-priced concept was launched at the start of one of the worst economic recessions in U.S. history. Although Andre’s clothing line was for the most part accepted as fashionable and hip, in today’s tough times who is going to pay $275 for a Benjamin Bixby sweater vest when families can barely afford to pay the rent and feed the kids? And even if you CAN afford it…well now you think twice.

WoooHa.com exclusively reports that the Benjamin Bixby clothing line is facing severe financial hardships due to limited sales and excess inventory. Sources have revealed that because Andre Benjamin paid so much attention to detail, his clothing line was not cheap to reproduce on a mass scale. Instead, limited quantities of the collection were made and sold primarily online through luxury fashion sites such as www.Barneys.com Sources also revealed that the problem is no one is buying the clothing line because of the high price point and no brand equity. As a result, the Benjamin Bixby clothing line has had to dramatically drop prices in order to move inventory and prevent retailers from shipping it all back to Mr. Benjamin.

As of last week, you can now find Benjamin Bixby clothing at Barneys for over 50% the original price. That $275 sweater vest is now $109. The $1,495 leather jacket is now $639. Over half of Barney’s inventory of the Bixby collection is now priced at over 50%. That’s not all. The clothing line is also using luxury online discount sites and clubs such as Gilt.com to move inventory as well. These sites specialize in selling deep discount off season luxury goods for a limited time. Benjamin Bixby also sold their collection on this site to all those who were members. It’s not a good sign to see your four month old fashion collection on these types of discount luxury sites, but the fact is selling the inventory at a low price is better than it sitting on the shelf and not making a dime.

WoooHa.com has always been strong supporters of Mr. Benjamin and his out-of-the-box thinking and fashion sense so we hope his clothing line can rebound. This is definitely another case of bad timing with the Recession and making sure you know who your target is and what they can afford. I guess the good news is for the consumer b/c now you might be able to afford it with these discounts.

Maybe Kanye West should take note though and think twice before dropping Pastelle on us and thinking the world is just going to buy up a $500 hoodie with a shark fin on the head.
Related Posts:

* Andre Benjamin’s “Class of 3000″ cartoon now a live stage show
* Andre Benjamin officially launches Benjamin Bixby clothing line
* More pics of Andre 3000’s “Benjamin Bixby” clothing line
* Andre 3000’s “Declare Yourself” Voting campaign ad
* Andre 3000’s Benjamin Bixby clothing line available online