Few things capture the 1990s quite like the sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show’s theme song was the anthem of the decade, and characters like Carlton Banks with his fly dance moves and Jazzy Jeff on the turntables have become iconic in pop culture. It was through the show that the world was introduced to Will Smith, the actor who played the character called Will Smith in the show. Over the last three decades, Smith has had a long, successful career in Hollywood. But this week, he launched a new clothing line that capitalizes on his roots as the Fresh Prince.
[Photo: willsmith.com]
Other designs include a $90 blue track jacket with a gorgeous paisley print on the inside that peeks through at the lapel. And yes, there’s a matching $30 basketball in a blue and paisley print to go with it.
It’s clever because it’s a throwback to the show, but this kind of nostalgic school paraphernalia ages well. We all have ratty old sweaters in our closet emblazoned with our high school or college crest. In many of the promotional images of the collection, an older Will Smith wears pieces from the collection, as if he were just supporting his alma mater. And for those of us who spent so much time watching the show it almost feels as though we attended Bel-Air high school ourselves, it makes all the sense in the world to get our hands on some Bel-Air athletic swag.
Recognize your brand’s excellence by applying to this year’s Brands That Matter Awards before the early-rate deadline, May 3.