MR. X: DRESSING HIM UP AND DOWN.(The Collective)

Daily News Record, August, 2004 by Gellers, Stan

Byline: STAN GELLERS

The recent New York shows are now history but the rave reviews and the lessons learned live on. Like this one: The star performer at the Collective, Project and Confirmed shows was the hip, new customer whom I call Mr. X. Why Mr. X? Because many in the market are trying to get the skinny on this contemporary, modern, premium, sophisticated, streetwise guy who's certainly rocking the boat. The specs: He's "always 35" -- and younger -- and this covers a lot of demographics. But he's far from a stereotype and varied enough in his tastes and attitudes that exhibitors at these "uptown" and "downtown" shows were able to pitch him.

First, The Collective, which didn't lose a beat serving up luxe, elegant suits and sportswear for the...