• View Comments
• Share with Shortlink:

In celebration of Black History Month, we will randomly be choosing African-American style icons to pay tribute to – past and present. From actresses to rappers and political figures, we will recognize those who stand out in the world of fashion. We’re kicking it off with Andre Benjamin, aka “Andre 3000″, a man brought new exciting flavor to the hip hop world. The rapper, actor and clothing designer is known for rocking outlandish outfits consisting of fedora hats, high waisted pants complete with suspenders, bow ties, odd combinations of colors, prints and fabrics.

As AskMen.com put it, “His musical talent and contributions to OutKast are well-known and fans soon learned that his stage wardrobe was nothing more than an evolution or re-interpretation of his own personal style culled from his many interests and penchant for English-inspired vintage clothing”.

His classic preppy swag translates into his very own Benjamin Bixby clothing line, which brings “rough luxury” to menswear.

Unlike many rapper-driven clothing lines, Benjamin Bixby has a classic and sophisticated look. Initially inspired by the late 1930s Ivy League athletics, the line features tartan prints, tweed suits, rich knits, duffel coats, high quality selvedge denim and more.

“For an African-American guy to be a prep, that’s a dichotomy,” he told The New York Times,“Prep style comes from mostly affluent families who just wear these cool clothes. But when you come from a background that has more struggle, your take on it will be different. There’s a certain kind of rebel to it.” “I can’t pretend I’m from New England or I’m at school at Harvard or Oxford, but when you think of men’s dress, you have to give a nod to England,” he said. “They created it all and brought it to America. We calmed it and made it cool.”