Fashion designers wear Detroit spirit on sleeves
Jaclyn Trop/ The Detroit News
A growing number of high-profile Metro Detroiters are trying to capitalize on the Motor City's rising reputation for being cool by offering Detroit-themed fashion nationwide and internationally.
Denise Ilitch is the latest Detroit designer to embrace the Made in Michigan theme, preparing to launch more jewelry and apparel next month from her Birmingham-based Denise Ilitch Designs.
And Joe Faris of "Project Runway" cable television fame plans to bring his own line of "industrial couture" clothing to stores Aug. 1, joining Romeo native Kid Rock in the ranks of pro-Detroit marketers.
Though Detroit has made international news with its economic, political and pro football woes, the fashion resurgence shows "no place is just its headlines," said Birmingham-based brand consultant Mark Lantz.
"This new surge in Detroit spirit — particularly as it reaches beyond the hometown audience — is a way of putting the other side of the story out there," he said.
"When you buy a new Mac or iPad or iPod or whatever," Lantz said, "somewhere on the packaging when you first open it is the same five word sentence: 'Designed by Apple in California.' Not just 'Designed by Apple,' but 'Designed by Apple in California.' That's the kind of attitude we need more of in Detroit."
Detroit is home to Ilitch, whose family owns Little Caesars Pizza, MotorCity Casino Hotel as well as the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. Denise Ilitch Designs [[DID) sells $25 graffiti-splashed Detroit logo T-shirts alongside $1,150 drusy and mother of pearl sterling silver bracelets — both designed by Ilitch herself — in the front of the office where she co-publishes Ambassador magazine.
