It takes a set of brass —-s to make the decision that Stephen Powell made. (Don’t worry, I am calling back the brass —- joke in a minute.) Some background. Powell was raised in a small town in northern Mississippi by an optometrist father and an accountant mother. The view of the world from this small town was pretty rural, but Powell’s parents travelled with him a ton to make sure that he knew all the options. Fast forward through a public high school, a short stint at the Naval academy, Rhodes College in TN freshmen year, Ole Miss B.A. and M.D. and residency) and now Dr. Stephen Powell is working at an ICU during the height of Covid.
Classic Fella Founder & Creative Director Stephen Powell in the company’s classic T and pleated shorts.
But something doesn’t feel right. Powell’s schooling trajectory was dressed in Southern Ivy and Trad, and the idea of expressing himself and helping others express themselves in that fashion (oh man, I am so sorry for that) was starting to downright nag. With zero point zero industry experience behind him, Powell decided that the challenge of creating a brand that simultaneously rides down the middle of the Southern Ivy road and also crosses the white line a little every once in awhile was too tempting to ignore.
So, he put his brass —– in a superior quality underwear company. Classic Fella.
Two paragraphs to get to a joke might be a long walk for a short drink of water.
“I had been writing down business ideas for a while,” Powell says, “one of those ideas was old school underwear. I was inspired by mid century photography of men and their clothing, and was attracted to that sense of masculine community that I feel has changed. Those men were so authentic, every stitch represented who they were. I don’t think we have that as much now, and I wanted to bring that back.”
Powell is as smart in business as he is in medicine. “I needed an entry point where there would be little competition and great need, a corner of the market I could create and own, and then develop. Men’s underwear, designed and created with the same aesthetic and sensibility as the rest of the outfit, made the perfect opportunity,” Powell continued. “In line with that would be other projects that share the classic aesthetic, but also contemporary enough to stay relevant.”
Mission accomplished. Allow me to introduce Classic Fella. Browse the website and you will see an underwear and hosiery collection that is singular, an oxford that is perfectly one smidge left of center, and classic shorts and classic tees.
In the next few days I am going to review some of these for you. But do take a look, this is a line that is going to make a mark. I talked with Powell about his inspiration and risk, and he is a man 100% dedicated to this vision with the taste and historical perspective to pull it off. Classic Fella maintains the integrity of fine men’s wear so definitively that when it takes a quick step into the future, you are willing to walk right alongside.
The Chelsea is a cool location to launch a new fashion line.
The Chelsea’s notable guests include myriad artists, musicians, and writers: Warhol, Dylan, and Twain to name a few.
I love this quote from Patti Smith: “I loved this place, its shabby elegance, and the history it held so possessively… So many had written, conversed, and convulsed in these Victorian dollhouse rooms. So many skirts had swished these worn marble stairs. So many transient souls had espoused, made a mark, and succumbed here.”
We scoured so many locations for a shoot and after visiting the Chelsea’s lounge bar on a trip to NYC – had to do it there! They were very welcoming and the backdrop set the scene for our debut with its plush decor and city scenes + those balconies. Highly recommend a visit or stay if in NYC – documentary to catch as well.
Their website says the photos were taken at the Hotel Chelsea.
Billy Reid had his first office for his eponymous Southern ivy brand at the Chelsea.
That is COOL trivia.
The Chelsea is a cool location to launch a new fashion line.
The Chelsea’s notable guests include myriad artists, musicians, and writers: Warhol, Dylan, and Twain to name a few.
I love this quote from Patti Smith: “I loved this place, its shabby elegance, and the history it held so possessively… So many had written, conversed, and convulsed in these Victorian dollhouse rooms. So many skirts had swished these worn marble stairs. So many transient souls had espoused, made a mark, and succumbed here.”
wish they made the boxers in larger size 38-40
He ought to make an extremely lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable boxer called the Commando.
We scoured so many locations for a shoot and after visiting the Chelsea’s lounge bar on a trip to NYC – had to do it there! They were very welcoming and the backdrop set the scene for our debut with its plush decor and city scenes + those balconies. Highly recommend a visit or stay if in NYC – documentary to catch as well.
For me, $48.00 for one pair of boxers, or even three for $80.00 is a bit steep. Yet, I hope the business flies so that the price comes down a bit.