Indeed, the clothes make the man. If you don't dress right, you may not earn the respect that comes along with first impressions in the business world. In the Macon area, one man has made it his goal to get those quality clothes out to the people. His name? Saleem.
Guy has at least two billboards that I've seen: one leading down into Macon parallel to the highway, and another that is actually on the northside of Macon's downtown area... which is kinda funny because a lot of homeless people who wish they had Saleem's quality product hang around the area near that second billboard. Surely, they see Saleem's billboard as a shameful reminder of their current status.
Did I say that was "kinda funny" because I guess I meant to say it is "horrendously depressing". Easily confused phrases? Not really. Willing to move on and forgive my mistake? I hope so because Saleem's advertisement is worth reading about. Now to reiterate, these are huge billboards; not small-town shitty signs on the side of the road. In the center of this masterpiece in big bold yellow lettering, the sign says:
Guy has at least two billboards that I've seen: one leading down into Macon parallel to the highway, and another that is actually on the northside of Macon's downtown area... which is kinda funny because a lot of homeless people who wish they had Saleem's quality product hang around the area near that second billboard. Surely, they see Saleem's billboard as a shameful reminder of their current status.
Did I say that was "kinda funny" because I guess I meant to say it is "horrendously depressing". Easily confused phrases? Not really. Willing to move on and forgive my mistake? I hope so because Saleem's advertisement is worth reading about. Now to reiterate, these are huge billboards; not small-town shitty signs on the side of the road. In the center of this masterpiece in big bold yellow lettering, the sign says:
Saleem's
High Fashion Menswear
The man doesn't pull his punches. His fashion? High. If you're looking for middle-class apparel, then you're wasting this man's time and (from the look on his face) possibly risking your health. That's right. The guy has half-body shot of himself on the billboard wearing one of his allegedly high fashion suits. The picture of his is from the waist up, just cutting off his hands as his arms sit rigidly at his sides. He stares out unrelentingly over the masses of potential consumers passing beneath his billboard... his testament to quality clothing.
You may have guessed by the name, but just to clarify, he is middle eastern in appearance with a fairly thick mustache covering his smile-less upper lip. He is also not standing in a way that would have him facing DIRECTLY outward. His body is kinda facing slightly... oh so slightly away... so that his eyes had to move back two inches to his left to be looking at whatever intimidated photographer was taking his picture. NOT TO SAY THE GUY HAS THREATENING FACE. No! He actually seems like he is trying to act casual, but just hates the fact that he has to be taking the picture.
It's like he doesn't "want" to be there, but he wants to be there. He hates taking pictures, but he wants to inform people that his clothing is far from low-class... a step above suburban... and squarely in the realm of high fashion that one would expect from a guy who looks like he has a ten-foot steel pole shoved up his ass.
He also seems to be leaning back slightly. You know this due to a suggestion by the photographer because it is obvious that Saleem needs to work on his "people skills". The poor man knows exactly what pair of pants will go great with your twill navy blazer, but he obviously has all the charm of the Frankenstein monster. "Brionni good. Sean Jean baaaaaaad! RARGH!"
But with the lean, it's almost like he's now inviting you to come see his clothes and bear the possibility of falling under his penetrating gaze in real life. I mean, COME ON! He's leaning back. The man clearly is laidback and probably ready to go watch some football and down a few beers when he gets back home.
You may have guessed by the name, but just to clarify, he is middle eastern in appearance with a fairly thick mustache covering his smile-less upper lip. He is also not standing in a way that would have him facing DIRECTLY outward. His body is kinda facing slightly... oh so slightly away... so that his eyes had to move back two inches to his left to be looking at whatever intimidated photographer was taking his picture. NOT TO SAY THE GUY HAS THREATENING FACE. No! He actually seems like he is trying to act casual, but just hates the fact that he has to be taking the picture.
It's like he doesn't "want" to be there, but he wants to be there. He hates taking pictures, but he wants to inform people that his clothing is far from low-class... a step above suburban... and squarely in the realm of high fashion that one would expect from a guy who looks like he has a ten-foot steel pole shoved up his ass.
He also seems to be leaning back slightly. You know this due to a suggestion by the photographer because it is obvious that Saleem needs to work on his "people skills". The poor man knows exactly what pair of pants will go great with your twill navy blazer, but he obviously has all the charm of the Frankenstein monster. "Brionni good. Sean Jean baaaaaaad! RARGH!"
But with the lean, it's almost like he's now inviting you to come see his clothes and bear the possibility of falling under his penetrating gaze in real life. I mean, COME ON! He's leaning back. The man clearly is laidback and probably ready to go watch some football and down a few beers when he gets back home.
But there's more! As Saleem stands watch over the homeless of Spring Street, to the left side of the billboard stands a friendlier and caring youth. A small boy in a dress shirt, trying to keep an over-sized fedora from falling over his eyes. The kid has his head titled down, smiling at the great big world that lies just beyond the rim of his hat, and his eyes staring up with all the love in the world.
Crafty move, Saleem. Crafty as a fox. The child (probably Saleem's nephew because I'm pretty sure that Saleem has no time for love in his fast-paced world of pleats and tie-coordinating) brings the perfect balance to the emotional void coming from Saleem's side of the sign.
So this post is for you, Saleem... you stone-faced guardian of clothing quality. May your pleats stay sharp and your cufflinks be plentiful.
So this post is for you, Saleem... you stone-faced guardian of clothing quality. May your pleats stay sharp and your cufflinks be plentiful.
No comments:
Post a Comment