For Immediate Release
Morehouse Grad Carl Bowen’s Classic Designs win National Contest
(Los Angeles – August 24th, 2007) Atlanta Designer Carl Bowen and J. Anthony Brown share a common bond or should I say ‘thread’: They are on a mission to make sure men are dressed ‘clean’ and ‘sharp’ — all the time.
Bowen, 24, is the winner of the J. Anthony Brown’s “Next Big Thing” Contest, that was featured on Tom Joyner’s BlackAmericaWeb.com (http://BlackAmericaWeb.com). Brown invited designers from around the country to submit their best men’s designs with the chance of winning a trip to the world’s largest apparel event – the MAGIC Show – in Las Vegas, August 27 -30th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The site’s visitors voted, and chose Bowen’s designs.
Bowen, a psychology major from Morehouse College, said he set out as a Biology major and was on his way to med school when he decided to take his part-time modeling career in a new direction. He took a couple sewing classes at Clark Atlanta University and some design classes at American Intercontinental University, and then landed an apprenticeship with an Atlanta master tailor. Fashion replaced medicine, and he said he’s not looking back.
“I’m really excited,” said Bowen, who owns Crescendo that designs stylish men’s clothes that draw off the classic look of the Thirties and Forties. He’s already designed some pieces worn by Michael Knight, a contestant on BRAVO TV’s ‘Project Runway’ who made it to the final round. “I’m looking forward to going the show to learn as much as I can so I can push my business forward.”
J. Anthony Brown, the co-host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, is
attending the MAGIC Show to premier his newly designed ‘J. Anthony Brown Collection’.
Brown will be exhibiting at Booth ME 0853 in the Men’s Category at the Las Vegas
Convention Center.
“Carl has it going on,” said Brown who set out to become a fashion designer before his comedy career took him in a new direction many years ago. “The young brother already has a good eye for style, and designing clothes that’ll make folks want to stop in their tracks when they see it. That’s what I’m talking about. He’s going to go a long way and I’m glad to know that he’s going get to the Show.”
The J. Anthony Brown Collection, which is 100% owned by Brown, features a wide variety of suits, vests, jackets, shirts, cufflinks adorn with some colorful original art and jewel-encrusted custom watches. Brown, who is one of the few African-American-owned companies exhibiting at MAGIC, designed all the pieces, chose the fabric and oversaw the production of the samples.
During the MAGIC Show, comedian George Wallace will be stopping by to visit with J. and sign autographs. Wallace holds court nightly in Vegas at the Flamingo Hotel. To spice up the booth with live music, the ShowTyme Jazz Duo also will be performing.
Brown’s stylish, high-fashioned suits are available now at selected retailers around the country and via his website – http://www.thejspotstore.com/suit_collection.html.
Both Brown and Bowen are available for interviews at his booth during the conference August 27th – August 30th as well as for phone interviews at any time. To interview Brown or Bowen, contact Neil Foote at 214.448.3765 or neil@neilfoote.com.
###
