RESPECT. hit up the 2011 PR Holiday Showcase at the Empire Hotel last week to preview fall items from new and established brands.  Neff and Skullcandy weren’t the only brands on display, but their fall offerings certainly didn’t disappoint.  Perhaps the standout from the crowd was the Schoodie, a unisex scarf-meets-hood inspired headdress.  The only thing that outnumbered the ways a Schoodie can be worn was the number of times I was asked “would you be interested in a complimentary spray tan?”  Nevertheless, fun was had by all and rest assured we snapped some pics so you can see what’s on the horizon.  Check out some of the samplings below.

Skullcandy Speaker System: Skullcandy goes a little retro with this black and yellow speaker box.  Sophisticated and Apple-ready, this adds some attitude to an otherwise oft-overlooked speaker system.  Check out their other offerings HERE.

Neff Accessories: Neff is primed for a stocked fall line.  With beanies, hats and watches set to hit the stores, you’re going to be hard-pressed to not find something to fit your style.  The watches and beanies span a variety of colors and lend themselves to whatever attire you may find yourself in.

Derringer Motorbike:  The LA-based motorbike-makers bring a new design to the forefront with their Bespoke Collection.  With experienced design teams handling each bike’s manufacturing, all of the bikes in this collection are capable of getting 180 miles per gallon.  Hand-made leather saddles and hammered copper rivets accent the elegance of rolling in style.  Read more on their motorbikes HERE.

Element’s Emerald Collection: Shoes were front and center for Element’s newest fall line.  The mid top boat shoe style remains, but a variety of colors and materials come together to headline the Emerald Collection.  Suede and leather combine in some of Element’s offerings, but style is never at a premium.

Commune Line: Commune’s offering brings simple fall clothing to market, but their attention to detail sets the pieces apart.  A few of the long sleeve shirts make use of color blocking pockets in an ode to a fashion favorite, but certainly won’t take eyes off your vibrant Neff watch.

Falling Whistles: In 2007, Sean Carasso’s trip to the Congo changed his life and inspired this project.  It was there that he heard of the captive children who were too small to carry a gun, and thus forced to the front lines of war armed only with whistles to warn of enemies’ attack.  This piece serves to remind us of the children lost in armed struggle, and all the profits will be sent to help children in the Congo.  So if you’re in the market for a tasteful accessory and feel like helping a good cause check out their website HERE.

Schoodie: Practicality meets design in this merging of fashion staples.  Both men and women can comfortably enjoy the warmth of a hood and the chicness of a scarf without having to carry both around.  Flexibility is at the heart of this piece, which spans the spectrum seasonally speaking.  Appropriate for a casual daytime outing or a formal summer evening event, the thin fabric breathes well enough to be worn all day.  Check out some more info and pictures HERE.

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Rocawear is getting a new look, and we at RESPECT. had the opportunity to check it out firsthand today at the Rocawear Style Suite in downtown NYC. Rocawear isn’t joking around with the new collection and is pulling out all the stops with its seriously fresh new look; the style suite was complete today with stylists and tailors at hand to promote, make familiar and even customize the brand’s new collection to attendees. The atmosphere was welcoming yet professional, topped off with a dope DJ and refreshments. We could really sense the excitement surrounding the launch, and we’re excited too; The designs look great, and we’re digging the new fits. Keep it up Rocawear.

It’s time for everyone to re-imagine the brand. Are you up for the challenge? We certainly are.

Read and see more from the Rocawear Style Suite after the jump. Rocawear is challenging the public to re-imagine a brand; a well-known brand with a reputation and a following. However, the brand is looking for people to think of Rocawear outside of big flashy logos and boot cut jeans. It wants people to be surprised by the new direction that it is taking. Rocawear views itself as evolving, and wants no limits to be placed on it. Additionally, Rocawear hopes to better communicate its new look than it has managed to in the past, and bring awareness to the energy and effort behind the products that it produces. The effort is certainly evident, as we were more than impressed by all the new styles showcased today. Moving forward we’re told that we’ll be seeing a balance between the new styles exhibited today at the style suite, and the more traditional Rocawear fits.

Stylistically, we view the line to be edgier and cleaner, with crisper, more slimming fits. There is a nice array of products ranging from simplistic plain T’s, to edgy graphic T’s (many with notorious Jay-Z lines such as “Empire State of Mind”), and not forgetting the more traditional button down. The new collection also includes denim for both men and women, and accessories courtesy of various partnerships (including Skullcandy and FLUD).

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Dr. Dre no longer owns the headphone game with his Beats by Dr. Dre line– Jay-Z has entered the fray, and the results are seriously nasty. Hova’s company Roc Nation has partnered with sound giant Skullcandy to produce the “Roc Nation Aviator“, a signature headphone for the hip-hop culture.  At Monday’s Rocawear Style Suite, Skull Candy  put together a pair of RESPECT engraved headphones to celebrate the new line’s debut.

The headphones are definitely a departure from Skullcandy’s typical model, geared less towards the action-sport set. These headphones are, for lack of a better word, hard. The stainless steel, aluminum, and polycarbonate frame make it clear they are built to last, and the sound quality is a step above the rest of the Skullcandy line. The unique triangular shape of the earpieces is meant to evoke the design of a classic pair of aviator shades. In short, these are the kind of headphones you throw on to bump “Takeover” and feel as fierce as the song itself.

Doin’ work

Under the laser

The finished product

Look out for a giveaway soon!

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