Words By: EbenGregory

Tired of being part of the fashion mundane? Enter RyanKenny, attire for the Distinguished Gentlemen. RyanKenny features men’s button down shirts and diamond cuff links fused with panache and modernity. These progressive prints exude power, but in a classic avant-garde kind of way. “Shirts and Links,” as they are affectionately known, have bedecked A-list celebrities such as Jay-Z and Usher, in upscale print media, as well as, at awards shows.

Introducing RyanKenny’s front four: Ryan Glover, music heavyweight, who has worked with a host of music industry greats including Aaliyah, TLC, and Toni Braxton through Noontime, a music publishing, production, management and record label entity. Kenny Burns, consummate extraordinaire, currently serving as the Vice President of Roc-A-Fella Records, President of Roc Music and is known for breaking acts like Monica, 702 and Bad Boy’s girl group, Dream. Derek Dudley, fashion pedigree, who’s served as Common’s manager for fifteen years and has studied fashion design at the International Academy of Art and Design in Chicago, as well as, Howard University. Jonathan Logan, fashion architect, who has created breath-taking designs for the likes of Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston and Diddy.

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RyanKenny button downs features conspicuous fabrics, classic construction and superb couture. The four designers personally select every fabric, and have apprenticed with design shops and manufacturers in Italy “Without question, our customer is the working music industry entrepreneur, but also the upscale businessman or woman who has flavor. We’re targeting the casual guy that just likes to look good- that person who wants to go from dressy to dressy casual. It’s about quality, texture and design. We want you to feel good when you put on our shirts, like buying a new car,” says Dudley.

The smooth cut of the shirts allows for either jeans or slacks, which allows for that “Sexy, Crazy, Cool” look. With a penchant for flair, RK has also incorporated diamond cuff links to accentuate the shirts. “We all want the clothes to be functional yet wildly casual without losing our customer,” states Glover. “And even though we have different personalities, which is reflected in some of the separates, it meshes well and that’s what makes our product uniquely ours.” “This is art to us,” Burns explains. “The garments we create transcend all demographics, like fine art. Our line is about being fashion-forward, knowing our consumer and creating a brand name. When someone is wearing our clothes, we want people to know that it’s RyanKenny.”

Not only have mainstream consumers taking notice of RyanKenny, but so has fashion giant, Romar Group. The Romar Group, Inc., the largest minority-owned and controlled apparel and promotional marketing company in the United States, recently announced their multi-million dollar acquisition deal of RyanKenny. In Spring 2004, RyanKenny and Romar will nationally launch their "Cuffs and Links," line. Ranging in price from $175-$550 (shirts) to $500-$5,000 (cufflinks), RyanKenny products are currently available at select New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta boutiques.

Romar acquired 50% of RyanKenny and financed the manufacturing and marketing of the chic new line. A worldwide, vertically integrated, apparel design and promotional marketing company, Romar's rolodex includes DreamWorks, Walt Disney, Time-Warner, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Linda Stokes Design and Bob Marley Footwear. In the future, RyanKenny plans to expand the horizons by adding a full men’s, women’s and children’s lines, as well as, jewelry, accessories and some home products including cook books and paints.

WETMONEY says, “It’s up and it’s good!” Gentlemen, I have been to the mountaintop and seen the new face of fashion; its name is RyanKenny.

For more information on RyanKenny, visit their website at www.ryankenny.com.