Some of the most influential
figures in Hip-Hop history are lending their images and likeness to a new brand
of clothing, Sedgwick & Cedar, which debuts in Spring 2005.
Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Caz, Melle Mel, Chief Rocker Busy
Bee and Sha-Rock are all part of Sedgwick & Cedar, billed the first ever
vintage Hip-Hop clothing company.
The line was created when founder Ray Riccio was researching
the roots of Hip-Hop.
"We will respect the history of Hip Hop creativity and
style,” Riccio said. “We are proud to be associated with the founding
pioneers in such a special way.”
According to Riccio, on August 11, 1973, Kool Herc’s sister
Cindy Campbell held a back-to-school party in her building’s recreation
room located at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx.
Kool Herc introduced extended break beats to the crowd, which
got so large that the party had to be moved down the street to Cedar Park.
Riccio, already involved in the apparel industry, was moved
by the story and conceptualized the clothing line.
He later pitched the idea to Grandmaster Caz of the Legendary
Cold Crush Brothers, who approved of the business plan in his South Bronx apartment.
“They decided to come together as a group to launch the
first company to bring urban apparel back to where Hip Hop began,” Riccio
said. “Our name, Sedgwick & Cedar, which represents the authentic
birth place of hip hop clearly speaks to the vintage
positioning of our brand."
The collection will consist of men’s and women’s
vintage and limited edition “collector party flyer tees,” track
suits, hats, hoodies, leather and wool melton leather jackets.
Prices range from
$28 to $400. The Sedgwick & Cedar collection will be available later this
month in specialty stores such as Dr. Jay’s, Epic and Man Alive.
