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 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.
Ha Ha, Maybe they should start giving away free coupons to Captain D's and Bojangles with every purchase. Whooo weee. (Laughs, after dancing barefeet in strawhat and overalls)
wait, you mean that they're having a hard time finding people willing to pay outrageous amounts of money to dress like a schoolboy from the 1700s?
Get the F outta here!!!
Sad b/c I like Andre. Expected b/c – well look at the clothing.
I LOVE the style! As he states in the entry though, the price is way to high considering no one is buying anything. Buying an LV or Boss item for this price is one thing, buying this is another. Lower the price and they will buy.
Andre – make an album and forget the clothing line bud. We been waiting long enough. Tru fans are of your music so hurry on up.
Andre 3000’s Benjamin Bixby Line $truggling
Wrong idea, you do not start at such a high price point, you go middle ground and offer pieces, but if you do start high, start with a few things, not a complete line, and do the mass retailers,
What is it with the Backpackers that there cloting sense is so darn expensive and the business moves they make are so not what it is, Pharell, Kanye, 3 Stacks,
So Common be careful
[...] WoooHa.com exclusively reports that the Benjamin Bixby clothing line is facing severe financial hardships due to limited sales and excess inventory. 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 Barneys.com. 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 dramaticly 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 [...]
SO Common is coming out with a clothing line too? Or you saying that is the natural progression of things?
wow i knew it was gonna happen, high price for so called “unique” fashion, ppsshhhh andre 3000 was wildin for this one
Andre’s Benjamin Bixby Line: Nominated for Awards as Sales Disappear…
When I saw that Andre Benjamin’s Benjamin Bixby fashion line had earned him a nomination for GQ’s Best New Menswear Designers in America, I thought, I should go check WoooHa and see what Yeti’s got on Andre when I get around to this post. A couple o…
Can't hate … he was doing a different market from all the other hip hop clothiers.
Crazy to come here and read this, I listen to only Outkast while out today … The Love Below and Idlewild.
Sad but true. People are smarter with there dollars right now. Why charge us all that anyway?
[...] Source via  [...]
Maybe Some of the Rappers Should Focus On RAPPING And NOT Clothing. How is T.I.'s Akoo Doing?
backpack rappers need to get a life…
that sh8t is ugly, i dont why they think just cause its expensive that we gone bite
Forch Fabalon, H-Town, FabalonRecordingz
[...] are wondering what bearing that will have on the line, as it was recently announced that all stock was being slashed in price significantly and that the design company was teetering [...]
[...] in the past year or so. From high profile artists such as Andre Benjamin’s now struggling Benjamin Bixby, to T.I.’s AKOO, but The Clipse’s Play Cloths clothing line has also managed to break [...]
It is an interesting story. Thanks for the sharing.
[...] like that’s how it goes these days when sharing stuff about business. Yea WoooHa was the first to break it that Andre Benjamin’s Benjamin Bixby clothing line was failing, and now we got the tip off [...]
[...] to website Wooha.com¬†¬†LL Cool J’s sears clothing line is about to go under! WoooHa was the first to break it that Andre Benjamin‚Äôs Benjamin Bixby clothing line was failing, and now we got the tip off from [...]
Maybe he should rethink the line and instead of making it a high end, expensive line, toned it down to plan inexpensive classics for kids, young adults and adults and put them in JC Penny's, Sears, etc. That way those of us that like to dress to the nine in the lower class can benefit. 3000, holla at me, I'll help you get the right demographic!
I think he has done a very good job. I hope it goes well for him.
you guys are just jealous and need something to talk about, he is a great person and he is very unique. shit if you dont like it leave it alone yawl hatin asses aint gotta criticize him! damn i know yawl is white. shit he is bringin somethin new to the table if you dont like it shut the fuck up about it!
he's still gonna make money…so ha!