Common Line of Clothing Inspired by Microsoft

Common, the rapper and actor has two endorsements running now: a new fragrance for Diesel called "Only the Brave," and a line of PC-inspired clothing called Softwear for Microsoft.

According to the article in Billboard, Common has also partnered with Microsoft to launch Softwear, a clothing line inspired by PCs and revolving around when the machines started to become popular. Softwear tee-shirts, some of which were designed by Common, were made available in retail stores just a few weeks ago. (This news was originally reported in December)

After reading this I had to see what clothing inspired by a PC looked like. I can't imagine Microsoft sparking a person's creative inner fashion designer.

A Common designed shirt:


This design immediately takes me back to the 1980's. This shirt would be worn with leggings, possibly belted and of course the wearer would have on pointy-toed boots.

Here are two samples of classic shirts:

Nothing immediately comes to mind after viewing the DOS shirt or the one that features Bill Gates. Wait, wasn't there a Jim Morrison T Shirt with his mugshot from his arrest in Florida? These two are part of the collection but not designed by Common. I wonder if these are selling. I couldn't find sales figures. According to the clothing line's website, these cannot be purchased online, only in select stores. This seems like a very low tech strategy. In fact, this all seems very misguided. I'm not sure who the audience is or if there is an audience for items. Does Common have the influence to make this work? Has anyone seen a person wearing one of these shirts?

Microsoft Ads About Nothing

Jerry Seinfeld is the new pitchman for Microsoft. The ads will start appearing Sept 4. According to the WSJ: "Microsoft weary of being cast as a stodgy oldster by Apple's advertising, is turning for help to Jerry Seinfeld." The campaign is reported to cost $300 million with $30 million of that going into Jerry's pockets. Microsoft is trying to turn the tide on the negative publicity they have gotten from their Vista operating system. The article said that other celebrities were considered such as Will Ferrell and Chris Rock. It seems to me that if you want to connect with a younger audience and cast doubt on Apple's smart, sassy Mac Vs. PC ads, they go with Will or Chris. My bet would be on Chris.

Jerry's show went off the air in 1998, although it's all over the place in syndication. Does he still resonate with people? I was a faithful viewer of Seinfeld when it originally aired. I find it hard watching it now. It does not hold up the way I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and more recently, Everybody Loves Raymond has. Jerry hasn't been in the public eye recently, except for his misguided comments on Letterman attacking the woman who's publishing company accused his wife of plagiarizing a cookbook. It seems to me that both Will Ferrell (bring back "More Cowbell") and/or Chris Rock would be much more in tune with todays audience. Everybody Hates Chris is a wonderful show that every parent should make their kids watch. Watch full episodes on the shows site. Wasn't Will's website behind the Paris Hilton rebuttal to the crazy McCain ads? Many watched and it was well done. Bill Gates will be appearing in the ads with Jerry. I'll be watching closely to see if this ad campaign brings a hipper image to Microsoft.

Note: Only Chris Rock's website URL is his name. Neither Jerry or Will's name will link to a site.