Cross Colours

Launched on the premise of producing "clothes without prejudices" Cross Colours helped establish a fashion market based around black youth.

He also hired Thomas Walker, a graphic designer who would eventually become vice president of Cross Colours.

The label, whose baseball caps, baggy jeans, and message-bearing T-shirts were to prove influential, also introduced such future designers as Karl Kani.

Since they were primarily targeting African-American youth they wanted to inspire them with positive messages like "Stop D Violence" and "Educate 2 Elevate".

[4] The hype started with affordable brightly colored T-shirts, jackets and caps, each accompanied by messages like "Stop D Violence" and "Educate 2 Elevate."