In 1990, before the World Wide Web became what it is today, fashion designer label nigel Who? made fashion history as the first label to stream a live fashion show video on-line. “It was a small, one inch video at the top of the screen that changed about once a minute,” says Bogle. “It wasn’t anything like today’s You Tube but we did it first and it will always be one of my label’s greatest achievements.” That first line debuted at a totally packed venue and was covered by various media including the San Jose Mercury News who described it as “a fashion happening.” Viewers not able to get inside the event were seen dangling on windows outside attempting to get a look inside. It is testament, that even in the beginning, Bogle was making individual and avante statements that set himself and his label a part form others.
Twenty-five years later and after reaching a multitude of other career making goals, including a 5-year retirement in the middle of it all, Bogle came back into fashion with the release of his 30th fashion collection last July. It was immediately heralded as his “comeback collection.” The collection, inspired by the designer’s southern roots and memories of growing up in the Deep South, became the designer’s most successful retail and marketing collection of his career. Pictures of the night’s event continue to surface across various media sites and fashion magazines. For some, it would have been a career making night. For Bogle, it was another successful collection launch from an amazing quarter century of creativity in the world of fashion.
Bogle’s label, nigel Who?, has created 30 previous collections which have spanned over his remarkable 25 career. Those lines include collections for women, men, children, pets and even the home. He is the only designer who has ever shared the catwalk with the NY label Calvin Klein while he was designing a product line for the first year run of the AIDS charity event Silicon Planet. In 2003, Bogle opened up his flagship boutique deep in the heart of Willow Glen, CA. which featured a 2 year run of children’s and women’s wear product lines. After his 25-year career in fashion, Bogle retired his label “to work at non profits to give back to the community which gave me so much.” During his retirement, his passion for creation and fashion continued to be alive and he returned to work last year.
Bogle’s return to fashion fueled a fashion firestorm across face book and other social media sites. His label has a following of over 15,000 on My Space and his Face Book page continues to grow using virtual hourly posts which update his fan base on his current collection’s inspirations and development including news on how the lines are influenced by his daily life. Bloggers log in daily to view his unique marketing approach. His use of social media appears to be paying off. His label is quickly developing a new legion of younger fans while retaining the original fan base who have attended his many fashion events and collection launches in San Jose over the past two decades. “Technology has always excited me,” says Bogle. “When we started, there was not a cell phone or digital cameras. The internet was virtually unknown but we found a way to use it.” Social media and it’s use with the label appears to have been an easy transition for nigel Who? and has helped “breathe new energy, youth and edge into an old label and has kept it fresh over it’s 25 year run.”
He views his fashion lines as “wearable art with deeply emotional statements that everyone can relate to and understand.” During his retirement, Bogle suffered a series of losses of close family members that he described as “devastatingly painful.” His use of creativity became cathartic and he worked two years to create his previous collection of ready to wear women’s items that he hoped “would reach out and connect with the general public and show how embracing the past can overcome the pain of loss and lead to a happier future.”
His current collection continues along with a similar theme. Unfortunately, last November during the world wind after-hype of his highly successful comeback collection, Bogle suffered another loss. His longtime business partner suddenly passed away. The loss was so emotionally damaging to the designer that he immediately halted plans on opening up his second flagship boutique. After several months of time off and recovery, Bogle decided to create a line of men’s active and intimate pieces that are inspired by his partner’s love for that particular product line while echoing his own love for clothing items designed for the physically active male. His “ONE with the Clouds” theme is dedicated to the “male who is the leader of his own lifestyle choices and is comfortable in his own world and the decisions he makes in his career and particular lifestyle.”
“Jon (his partner) always loved intimate apparel. It was one of his favorite things to put in his closet. For me, I’ve always loved to find items that I can wear to the gym and be chic, yet physical in,” says Bogle. “For me, I’ve always wondered why men go to the gym and work out basically completely covered up. The clothing I see appears to be very uncomfortable and physically hot on the body. I think men are looking for a product line that looks great, shows off the body and is comfortable and physically wearable.” Bogle also wanted to use the line to “brand” the label. “I wanted to finally put a line out there that literally asked people the question, “who is nigel?” Therefore, watch for men’s tanks, t- shirt, hats, shorts, pajamas and underwear which all sport the label’s logos on elastic straps, bands and actual fabrics. Bogle also introduces a line of sports towels and socks, which include a memory of his father’s favorite male accessory: the sock suspender.
His adoration for luxury is not lost in the upcoming collection either. Alongside the branding, Bogle also plans to show a series of highly luxe pajamas which are crafted from 400 thread count cottons in aqua, gun metal, ruby red, black, white, green and other hues. They are jewel tone in color selection, which further define the looks as “ultimately special.” In a plethora of men’s existing product lines, look for a clever ankle or thigh strap use that truly sets the labels looks a part from others.
Bogle plans on debuting his 31st collection this August 5th at 8:00 p.m. at the ultra chic downtown hair salon Umbrella. His line will feature 20 male models he has chosen from across the Bay Area and beyond. Expect a highly unique show complete with a video montage that was shot in Burbank, CA to pay homage to “the various types of weather experienced by the clouds.” His show will also feature his new musical C.D. Bogle has mixed and produced himself. And, insiders say, a very special announcement will be made at the show about a new venture his label will be taking on as he moves onward with new ventures with his company.
Seats for the event are free but names must be on the guest list. For more information, contact 408 656 6774 or email nigelwho@yahoo.com. The company’s website is located at www.nigelwho.com, www.nigelwho.net, and www.nigelwho.org
August 5th, 7:00 p.m. reception, 8:00 p.m. show
Umbrella Salon
2 N. Market Street Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95112
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