| In 1994, Mecca USA burst onto the fashion market | | | | globe. |
| while rap music was also making its own stand. The | | | | Mecca USA has always focused on denim wear. |
| timing proved to be fortuitous for both. Mecca Clothing | | | | Originally only offering designs for men, such as baggy |
| quickly became a wardrobe staple of hip hop rappers | | | | unique-pocket designer denim jeans, trendy foil printed |
| and the urban youth who were looking to these artists | | | | tees and high-quality hoodies. Reversible jackets, |
| as inspiration. Instead, of trying to create clothing to suit | | | | airbrushed tees and polo shirts were also popular. |
| office, evening or other areas; the brand has firmly | | | | Today Mecca USA has further extended its audience |
| established itself as the line representing sporty, casual | | | | with clothing suited to girls and women. The line for girls |
| and street wear. | | | | is called Mecca Girls and features sequins, rhinestones, |
| The driving force behind Mecca USA was Mike | | | | skirts, tops, pants, and outerwear among other items. |
| Alesko and Tony Shellman. Mike Alesko is well known | | | | The most successful extension of the company |
| in the fashion industry, creating not only the Mecca | | | | however, has been Mecca Femme. |
| Clothing brand but International News, the Seattle | | | | Introduced in 2002, Mecca Femme is about cutting |
| based company that would later spawn Mecca. Tony | | | | edge innovation. A mixture of urban street wear with |
| Shellman is a hip-hop fashion innovator who also | | | | high-fashion looks and European inspiration, creating a |
| cofounded Encye and the Parish Nation clothing line. | | | | unique look that female fans of urban wear have |
| Their clothing line took design inspiration from the | | | | flocked too. Mecca jeans is popular with men and |
| birthplace of hip-hop, New York City. | | | | Mecca Femme has similarly staked a claim in this |
| With New York City serving as their fashion muse, the | | | | arena with women. |
| line took on a rugged and raw edge, giving wearers an | | | | The Mecca Femme brand jeans feature a blend of |
| instant statement making look. The line quickly evolved | | | | cotton and spandex to create a figure hugging and |
| into the "uniform" for inner city youth. By the end of the | | | | pleasing silhouette. The jeans have quickly become a |
| decade, Mecca USA's appeal was not limited to a city | | | | favorite among urban women because it is fitted to |
| audience. Instead, increasing numbers of suburban | | | | curvier body types. Female celebrities have also |
| youth were looking to Mecca USA as a way to | | | | quickly flocked to buy them. |
| express themselves and identify with the rap | | | | Unlike other hip hop clothing lines that rely on high |
| musicians they wanted to emulate. | | | | prices in order to show their "quality" Mecca USA has |
| The brand made its way into malls and major | | | | always been affordably priced. Making their clothing |
| department stores, getting the attention of those who | | | | accessible to everyone and keeping consumers loyal |
| had previously only been buying mainstream labels | | | | and coming back for more. Though the prices are low, |
| such as Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Ralph Lauren. Over | | | | quality has always been a major part of the brands |
| the years, numerous celebrities have worn the line | | | | identity. High-quality materials are used to showcase |
| including. The Mecca clothing expanded its base, | | | | screen printing, prints, special stitch treatments, foiled |
| making its way into Europe, Asia and all around the | | | | logos and other signature looks. |