MMS Post 5
Frank Ocean makes waves as he attempts to enter into the world of luxury fashion and jewelry. He unveiled his new brand, Homer, through an 84-page catalog this Friday. Fans are upset as Ocean has not released an album in almost 5 years, while others stay hopeful as Ocean has released passion projects alongside his past albums. In 2016, he released his hit album, Blonde, with a series of magazines and pop-up shops. If what is speculated is true, we can expect an album from Frank in the near future.
Homer is self-described as “an independent American luxury company” according to its catalog. When looking at the brand’s image that’s shown through the catalog, it combines a very artistic approach while still showing off its products. At first glance, I was confused as to what the overall aesthetic was but as I flipped through, the story became clear to me. They even feature collaborations with large brands, like Prada, which Ocean has partnered with before at the 2019 Met Gala.
While I am excited that Frank Ocean is expanding his creative expression, this poses an often asked question. Should celebrities sell products in industries other than their primary ones? Often, we see TikTokers starring in movies and releasing music. But, do they have real talent, or are they just used for their name and fanbase? Personally, I think that it depends on the celebrity. Frank Ocean has been seen as a fashion icon, so in his case, creating a fashion and jewelry brand is no surprise. Though, when people like Ariana Grande begin making perfume collections, I become confused. It shows just how influential that a name can be in marketing a product.
Something that sets Ocean’s brand apart from others is his contribution to the brand. He created the whole idea on his own and photographed the cover and other images shown in the magazine. This direct connection to the project makes it more personal and appealing as a brand. I am excited to see how Homer takes off as a brand and makes its mark in the fashion industry. I see it going far with Frank as the face and in charge of the creative direction, they go in. Homer is set to open its storefront on August 9th, 2021 in New York, by appointment only.
Link: https://variety.com/2021/music/news/frank-ocean-homer-luxury-jewelry-store-1235036462/
Photo links: https://www.gq.com/story/frank-ocean-kanye-west-met-gala-2019