The Prince Of Melrose Avenue

[img:$uid]http://www.drfunkenberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/prince2010.jpg[/img:$uid]

This has got to be one of the coolest celebrity stories we have heard in quite some time.

We were contacted by our friends at SandGclothing.com about a shopper they had in there over the weekend.

It appears Prince was driving down Melrose Avenue in Hollywood and saw something in the window that caught his eye. Prince along with Shelby J. (The singer with the newly shorn hair sitting next to him at the BET Awards) and another female went into the shop.

The boutique owner was in shock that Prince was in his store.

“He looked fresh and clean and was wearing small clear glasses. It was quite a site”, said Gita, one of the shop owners.

Prince tried on several jackets and along with other clothes and wanted to know if he could have certain designs in purple and how long it would take as he is about to go on tour. Shelby also shopped and a lot of earrings were picked out for possible tour mates and others on the tour.

He ended up ordering one of everything in purple.

It appeared that most of these clothes could be outfits he wears on the upcoming tour. “It would be an honor to see Prince wearing the designs. This is a dream come true. He is more than a celebrity. He is an icon of the highest order, ” Said Gita.

What’s interesting is Sequoia is from Minneapolis and her designs were inspired by Prince. She grew up listening to his music and it was through him that she drew inspiration. A lot of the photos on the site, you could see where the inspiration could be drawn.

[img:$uid]http://www.drfunkenberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/jacket.jpg[/img:$uid]

We asked Gita did he try to take a photo of Prince trying on his clothes to put in the shop. “I had my iPhone in my hand and I thought about it and Prince saw me and gave me a look, and I then decided not to.”

People started coming in when Prince was in the store and noticed him and before any pictures could be taken, a bodyguard took control of the situation.

“We are so honored that Prince loved our clothes and was in the boutique. It was an amazing moment that I will never forget.”

We wonder if Prince wore one of the designs to an ultra exclusive BET after show that took place on Sunday Night at the Soho house on Sunset Blvd. The show took place early Monday morning with Prince playing “Controversy” and other songs that the crowd took over singing as Prince entertained on a grand piano in only the way he can.

You can check out the designs at SandGclothing.com or if you are in L.A., the shop is open Wednesday-Sunday 1 P.M. to 8 P.M. at 7414 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Ca 90036

Thanks to Gita and Sequoia for sharing this story exclusively with DrFunkenberry.com. I smell a style file maybe JB?-Dr.FB

http://www.drfunkenberry....se-avenue/

Now, you know Prince can't buy no menswear off the rack.

Melrose has a bunch of cool lil shops.

Intersting that Prince would purchase anything not tailored specifically 4 him.

Nice story.

Genesia said:

Now, you know Prince can't buy no menswear off the rack.

nice story

[img:$uid]http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2084/9118410/16757117/389104847.jpg[/img:$uid]

I shop on Melrose sometimes. There is something for everybody on that street. I used to go there a lot & buy all of Prince rare 12 inch remixes & all his proteges music, that he produced for his now defunct Paisley Park label on that very street, back when 12 inches was popular....I also bought a real nice royal purple shirt to wear to his Hit & Run tour....I saw it in the display window. Just like Prince did and had to have it. They took it off the mannequin in the window for me....lol

[Edited 6/29/10 20:36pm]

Genesia said:

Now, you know Prince can't buy no menswear off the rack.

I don't know about that. Remember that red suit with the zipper around the collar (I'm sure somebody around here still has the pic), that I didn't like on him at all.

I thought it looked ill-fitted and like something off the rack. Folks around here said there was just no way that was possible. Well, according to this article, there is a way it's entirely possible!

Genesia said:

Now, you know Prince can't buy no menswear off the rack.

Who said anything about MENSwear?

[Edited 6/29/10 20:42pm]

toejam said:

Genesia said:

Now, you know Prince can't buy no menswear off the rack.

Who said anything about MENSwear?

I wasn't going to say it, but...

Back in the day (late 80s/early 90s) Melrose Ave was the only place in L.A. that you could find Prince bootlegs. Stores like Bleeker Bob's and Aron's Records had the majority of bootleg albums and eventually disks. I remember buying CHOCOLATE BOX (the bootleg, not the Prince release) which contained so many mistakes in the titles, etc. but we didn't care. It was Prince, it was rare, and it was worth it. I remember buying a multi album set called THE ROYAL JEWELS for about 80 bucks and the worst I got was the a soundboard CD of the SOTT tour for $300. That was how much of a fan I was back in the day. I still have that CD, and I've listened to it probably about 10 times in the 20+ years I've owned it. For some reason it seemed really important.

Back then, it was a fun game trying to find the bootlegs, etc. Prince was at his peak and every day was like a treasure hunt. Melrose Ave was one of the best places for those gold nuggets.

madhouseman said:

Back in the day (late 80s/early 90s) Melrose Ave was the only place in L.A. that you could find Prince bootlegs. Stores like Bleeker Bob's and Aron's Records had the majority of bootleg albums and eventually disks. I remember buying CHOCOLATE BOX (the bootleg, not the Prince release) which contained so many mistakes in the titles, etc. but we didn't care. It was Prince, it was rare, and it was worth it. I remember buying a multi album set called THE ROYAL JEWELS for about 80 bucks and the worst I got was the a soundboard CD of the SOTT tour for $300. That was how much of a fan I was back in the day. I still have that CD, and I've listened to it probably about 10 times in the 20+ years I've owned it. For some reason it seemed really important.

Back then, it was a fun game trying to find the bootlegs, etc. Prince was at his peak and every day was like a treasure hunt. Melrose Ave was one of the best places for those gold nuggets.

Exactly! They don't have Arons records anymore. Just like Tower Records on Sunset Blvd use to carry prince bootlegs 2.. That is gone now to....Wreka Stows are non existent now..

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

madhouseman said:

Back in the day (late 80s/early 90s) Melrose Ave was the only place in L.A. that you could find Prince bootlegs. Stores like Bleeker Bob's and Aron's Records had the majority of bootleg albums and eventually disks. I remember buying CHOCOLATE BOX (the bootleg, not the Prince release) which contained so many mistakes in the titles, etc. but we didn't care. It was Prince, it was rare, and it was worth it. I remember buying a multi album set called THE ROYAL JEWELS for about 80 bucks and the worst I got was the a soundboard CD of the SOTT tour for $300. That was how much of a fan I was back in the day. I still have that CD, and I've listened to it probably about 10 times in the 20+ years I've owned it. For some reason it seemed really important.

Back then, it was a fun game trying to find the bootlegs, etc. Prince was at his peak and every day was like a treasure hunt. Melrose Ave was one of the best places for those gold nuggets.

Exactly! They don't have Arons records anymore. Just like Tower Records on Sunset Blvd use to carry prince bootlegs 2.. That is gone now to....Wreka Stows are non existent now..

I miss those days, but I would have saved so much money if the internet was around back then. lol Tower on Sunset was the best! You could get great stuff and usually end up in line next to a celebrity.

madhouseman said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Exactly! They don't have Arons records anymore. Just like Tower Records on Sunset Blvd use to carry Prince 2.. That is gone now to....Wreka Stows are non existent now..

I miss those days, but I would have saved so much money if the internet was around back then. lol Tower on Sunset was the best! You could get great stuff and usually end up in line next to a celebrity.

True! But I liked the excitement & adventurious of it, having something in my hand versus the internet. Everything now has 2 b done right way with no personal contact. But I use 2 b so in2 what I was buying I wouldn't have even noticed if a celebrity was next 2 me or not. Plus that don't really excite me I can c a celebrity anytime. Unless it was Prince or Janet Jackson then I would have dropped everything...lol Those were the days....

madhouseman said:

Back in the day (late 80s/early 90s) Melrose Ave was the only place in L.A. that you could find Prince bootlegs. Stores like Bleeker Bob's and Aron's Records had the majority of bootleg albums and eventually disks. I remember buying CHOCOLATE BOX (the bootleg, not the Prince release) which contained so many mistakes in the titles, etc. but we didn't care. It was Prince, it was rare, and it was worth it. I remember buying a multi album set called THE ROYAL JEWELS for about 80 bucks and the worst I got was the a soundboard CD of the SOTT tour for $300. That was how much of a fan I was back in the day. I still have that CD, and I've listened to it probably about 10 times in the 20+ years I've owned it. For some reason it seemed really important.

Back then, it was a fun game trying to find the bootlegs, etc. Prince was at his peak and every day was like a treasure hunt. Melrose Ave was one of the best places for those gold nuggets.

Wasnt that on Sunset Blvd?

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

[img:$uid]http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2084/9118410/16757117/389104847.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 6/29/10 20:36pm]

Thankful that he isn't wearing that cover from head-toe-stuff he wore to the NAACP (Emancipation Era) or those constant suits. He looked coomfortable and relaxxed, less make-up, and beautifull head of hair.

GoldenParachute said:

madhouseman said:

Back in the day (late 80s/early 90s) Melrose Ave was the only place in L.A. that you could find Prince bootlegs. Stores like Bleeker Bob's and Aron's Records had the majority of bootleg albums and eventually disks. I remember buying CHOCOLATE BOX (the bootleg, not the Prince release) which contained so many mistakes in the titles, etc. but we didn't care. It was Prince, it was rare, and it was worth it. I remember buying a multi album set called THE ROYAL JEWELS for about 80 bucks and the worst I got was the a soundboard CD of the SOTT tour for $300. That was how much of a fan I was back in the day. I still have that CD, and I've listened to it probably about 10 times in the 20+ years I've owned it. For some reason it seemed really important.

Back then, it was a fun game trying to find the bootlegs, etc. Prince was at his peak and every day was like a treasure hunt. Melrose Ave was one of the best places for those gold nuggets.

Wasnt that on Sunset Blvd?

No, back in the day it was on Melrose, but it eventually moved to Highland. It was a great row of wrecka stows!

madhouseman said:

GoldenParachute said:

Wasnt that on Sunset Blvd?

No, back in the day it was on Melrose, but it eventually moved to Highland. It was a great row of wrecka stows!

Its not on Highland anymore is it?

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

madhouseman said:

No, back in the day it was on Melrose, but it eventually moved to Highland. It was a great row of wrecka stows!

Its not on Highland anymore is it?

Nope. all closed. Most of the wrecka stows in town are closed. Ameoba is the only great one I can recall being open now.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

madhouseman said:

No, back in the day it was on Melrose, but it eventually moved to Highland. It was a great row of wrecka stows!

Its not on Highland anymore is it?

Nope. all closed. Most of the wrecka stows in town are closed. Ameoba is the only great one I can recall being open now.

madhouseman said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Nope. all closed. Most of the wrecka stows in town are closed. Ameoba is the only great one I can recall being open now.

Yea! I know I met Raphael Sadiq there................

The thing that answers the question of "Prince buying menswear off the rack" is that half of our collection is inspired by Prince.

I should know because I designed half of it!!!

It's not your typical menswear. It is tight fitted, sexy, and glammed out. Just how Prince likes it

Oh, and he bought both menswear, womanswear, and custom ordered a few things. So he pretty much covered all the bases

We love Prince. My girlfriend and design partner is from Minneapolis and has spent a lifetime being inspired by Prince.

Anyways. Definitely a highlight of our career. We hope to see more of Prince and crew.

Swoon.

Gita

~~~

http://www.SandGClothing.com