Missy has proven herself a bankable artist in the music world through producing and performing dozens of hip hop and pop hits throughout the last decade. But nowadays you're not an artist unless you have your name emblazoned on a casual wear line. The result, Missy's Respect line, is derivative and at times downright impractical, but it has its charms.
Respect is comprised of three parts: Bass Line, Rhythm and Remix, each presumably representing a particular segment of her performance persona. Bass Line is essentially Adidas' classic leisure and activewear items with a splash of color with Elliot's cursive initials embossed on everything. The Bass Line Lo sneakers look like pimped out Adidas Attitudes with a tab of camouflage on the front and M.E. stitched on the back. The apparel items barely hint at Elliot's creative energy with bland track pants and camo tees.
Rhythm picks up where Baby Phat leaves off by infusing studs and provocative cuts with activewear. The Rhythm Studs Pant features a giant gold Missy logo on the leg with leather and studded detailing. The Rhythm Studs top is an awkward one-shoulder number with, of course, more studs and leather. Rhythm seems to be taking a cue from the Serena Williams School of Ridiculous Sportwear. While in theory, leather and sweat may make sense, these pieces are too sporty to be worn casually and too glitzy for an actual workout.
Remix is Missy's way of bringing luxury style to athletic brand and the results are um ... not for everyday use. These pieces seem to come straight out of one her eye-popping videos and for that reason are worth their higher prices. Yet don't get it twisted -- you can't wear these pieces more than once without looking like a runaway Village Person. The Remix Stage Track Top is Missy releasing her inner-Liberace by affixing fringe along the sleeve of the classic Adidas running top. The Remix Hi takes a harmless shell-top sneaker and transforms it into a futuristic ass-kicking boot. The Remix line thrashes convention and takes advantage of Missy's maverick style.
Clearly, the Respect Line is attempting to tap into the psyche of Missy's various fans from the mall-ready Bass Line items to the supa-stah Remix styles for the glamazon set. It is unsure whether these are made for the gym or club, but perhaps Missy's trying to make clothes that are suited for each place. Like her music, these items take risks, but Respect mainly offers safe spice for the masses.
