Barrymoore
Maggie Barry and Lee Moore know some secrets about rock stars—but they’re not telling what they are. The two recently joined forces, pooled their “secret” information about fit and launched Barrymoore, a men’s line designed with rock stars such as Steven Tyler, Perry Farrell and Mick Jagger in mind.
Designer Barry and stylist Moore launched the line after years of custom designing menswear for musicians searching for clothing that would not only look good on and off stage but could also withstand the rigors of performing. “We used what our custom clients asked for,” Moore said of the new collection.
While they are keeping quiet about the secret-fit techniques, they will allow that every piece in the collection— from the denim to the satins to the shirtings—has some stretch. They have used stretch fusing, as well. “When you’re performing, if you want to do something extreme, it’s nice for your clothing to go with you,” Moore joked.
There are about 30 pieces in the line, including screen-printed T-shirts, jeweled and silk-screened thermal T-shirts, and thermal tees with vintage tux fronts.
Barrymoore also includes more traditional pieces with a rock-star edge such as the “Heavy Metal Tux Pant,” slim-cut black satin pants with three rows of silver studs. Another reworked traditional style is a dress shirt in fine jersey. “It looks totally formal but feels like a T-shirt,” Barry said.
For bottoms, Barrymoore offers sweats with leather trim and tattoo prints, boot-cut flared jeans in dark denim (“no whiskers, no washes, no holes,” Moore said), and jeans with a 12-inch cuff bearing a screened image of Jesus wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses. A thorn-print motif turns up throughout the line, and a candle in a botanica in downtown Los Angeles provided the inspiration for screen print that reads “Luxe Perpetua.”
The religious theme gives the line an edge, but the designers said they do not mean to be disrespectful. “The intent wasn’t meant to be sacrilegious, but somehow Jesus came into our life—as artwork,” Moore said.
Wholesale prices range from $40 to $400. The 30-piece line is just a sampling of what’s to come; the two plan to launch the complete collection for Spring 2005.
Barrymoore is selling in Los Angeles contemporary retailer Traffic. Moore said he and Barry are keeping the distribution limited for now and will prepare a larger push for the line in Spring 2005.
For more information about the Barrymoore line, call (213) 236-9421. —Alison A. Nieder
