Jason Stackhouse. According to www.InStyle.com he got involved with the clothing line because; “Mambo has a sense of humor that I really relate to.” Fashion industry insiders and party guests had the opportunity to look over the new collection on models posed en tableau, as well as enjoy the energy of live skaters graffiti art battles and complimentary t-shirt screening. The photo booth with immediate posting to FB or Twitter, was almost as popular as the Australian inspired drinks and hors d’ oeuvres! I liked the surfboards emblazoned with the Bon-Ton logo that were used to dole out the down under delicacies by beach boy servers! The ambience of the event featured all manner of surf and sand related items, including what seemed to be a VW van leftover from a “Beach Blanket Bingo” movie. Fun, fun, fun! Later in the evening host Kwanten, was on hand to introduce newly formed band, the Ill Fits, a group comprised of members of MGMT, Amazing Baby, and Foreign Islands, and fronted by Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. New York City’s Village Voice newspaper has written of the band: “They deal in a tasteful kind of mid-tempo pop that has shades of new wave and a hint of Genesis.” In other words, they were awesome!! Between sets DJ Chris Bletzer of naag.com, kept the flow of the fashion tides going for the revelers.The complete Mambo collection will be available here in Milwaukee for Spring 2012 and will include sportswear, swimwear, sunglasses, flip flops, and a graphic t-shirt collection with exclusive designs by Kwanten himself. It is geared for young women, men and boys and girls. This collection and the motifs are both cheerfully saucy and age appropriate without being the least bit teen-age snarky. It also has the differentiation from all the other department store youth labels by drawing inspiration from the activities that the young culture loves, like surfing and skating! That is what really sets it apart, its authenticity. Everyone at the fete was wearing big smiles as they reflected on the brand spanking new line, but that could have been the tropical booze! Just kidding! You can also find the Mambo brand in any of the 275 department stores in 23 states under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers Parisian nameplates. It will also be available via e-commerce at www.bonton.com.
