Copy: Atypical Streetwear
Designer Murphy Martines quietly obsessed over the concept of a line of sophisticated streetwear for years while he worked designing surf-inspired duds for a Southern California apparel giant. Last year, Martines made good on his plans when he debuted Copy, a pareddown line of designer-inspired streetwear, for Fall 2006. Now pursuing his chic streetwear dream full-time, Martines hopes to launch Copy to cult status.
“There’s a big streetwear craze right now, but I’m inspired by cool, high-end Japanese streetwear brands like Neighborhood that aren’t doing the same old thing,” Martines said. “I want Copy to be able to sit in a high-end men’s boutique or an exclusive streetwear shop.”
The bulk of the line is made up of denim, knit tops, woven tops, plaid shorts and fleece in classic silhouettes with crisp styling. Approximately 25 percent of the line focuses on “super forward” silhouettes with low minimums to help Copy appeal to buyers with a taste for high fashion. An inky-black longsleeve poplin shirt features a slim fit, a single dagger-shaped breast pocket and an acid wash. Another poplin shirt features a built-in hood. A washed-out hoodie features cardigan styling with a button front, welt pockets and a small discharge-print skull on the breast. For Fall 2007, Martines is offering a polo shirt with a double collar—one to stand up, the other to lay flat. Twill bottoms feature scooped-front pockets and double-welt pockets in back. A sand-colored long-sleeve knit shirt includes a built-in hood. The collection is rendered in every shade of gray and black and uses purple and blue as accents. Wholesale prices for the line range from $24 to $48 for basic styles.
Copy will make its trade-show debut this month at the United trade show in Las Vegas. Martines—who has sold the line to Metropark, San Diego’s Unsteady and Barracuda in Los Angeles—hopes to grow the line organically, he said. Buyers can also view the collection at the Line Showroom in Hollywood. For more information, call (949) 276-4552. —Erin Barajas
