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John Varvatos Bringing Men's Designer Clothing To Downtown Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - International fashion designer John Varvatos, who was born in Allen Park and grew up in Detroit, is bringing his luxury clothing line to the Motor City.

Varvatos, alongside businessman Dan Gilbert, announced Wednesday he is opening a 4,000 square foot menswear boutique at 1500 Woodward Avenue. The store in set to open in spring 2015.

The boutique -- the first high-end designer fashion retailer in decades to open a permanent storefront in downtown Detroit -- will offer Varvatos' complete menswear line including the John Varvatos Collection, John Varvatos Star USA and Converse by John Varvatos.

Varvatos' claim to fame came when he was working with Calvin Klein in the 90s, when he pioneered a type of men's undergarment called boxer briefs. The undergarment was made famous in a series of ads featuring Mark Wahlberg. He has also worked extensively with Ralph Lauren, helping to create the Polo Jeans Company.

Varvatos, 48, launched his own collection in the early 2000s. The brand now includes menswear, belts, handbags, footwear, eyewear, watches and fragrances.

Varvatos credits his Detroit-area upbringing and Motown, rock and roll, blues, jazz, and punk music influences as some of the inspiration for his contemporary men's fashion collections.

"For me, this is much more than a business opportunity. It is also about changing the complexion of a great city and creating a different kind of legacy," Varvatos said in a statement. "Detroit is well past its tipping point and I'm thrilled to be playing a role in the city's ongoing transformation."

The block that houses the building where the boutique will call home has become known as the 'Madison Block' -- the epicenter for tech startups in Detroit. Built in 1891, the historic Gordon Lloyd-designed, Queen Anne-style mid-rise building is one of more than 60 properties owned and operated by Gilbert's Bedrock Real Estate Services.

 

 

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