(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – “Expression without Excuse” is the mantra for 20Five|Twenty5, a clothing brand that encourages student travel, laughter and social consciousness. Kyle Washington, 26, is the owner and creative director from Tallahassee, Fla. He considers the emerging line as his latest project and a consortium from the head, heart and hand of a collegiate mind.

“My vision for 20Five|Twenty5 is for it to become a major apparel brand in the south first, then spread across the world,” said Washington. He said his goal is to spread messages through collections.

Students were the first to begin making purchases from the line. He said they were truly the driving force behind the brand. They wore their items and snapped pictures to upload to social media. Eventually the brand gained a fan base on Instagram and Twitter. Washington used his campus appeal to sell his vision to the students as well.

“Students like 20Five|Twenty5 because it was created by an alumnus of our university,” said Jasmin Baker, 22, a health science pre-physical therapy student at Florida A&M University. Baker said Washington is “a great individual, a creative mind, and someone who students encounter often – and has made their experience at FAMU wonderful.”

The collections are considered “series” because they all tell a story. Each series of design promotes a message through visual communication. The messages are geared at students and the young at heart. The line consists of shirts, sweats, jackets, socks and hoodies.

“PTA” is a moniker for the “planes, trains and automobiles” series – which encourages students to travel. A character series follows “Trey Poindexter” because he is a symbol of laughter and fun. “Consistently Fly” is a tribute to Floridians and taking flight in order to explore the world. There are several other series that tie into the messages and concepts of the brand.

“I like 20Five|Twenty5 because it shows a different style and brand that all ages can wear,” said Kenard Stevens, 24, a masters of applied social science graduate student at Florida A&M University. Stevens was one of the first customers to purchase apparel from the line upon its launch.

Stevens said his favorite design is “planes, trains and automobiles” because it communicates to individuals that you can use any means of travel to explore the world. He has several pieces from the collection that he wears to express his love for the brand.

Baker said her favorite design is “why drill holes in a sinking ship” because it is symbolic of an individual’s maturity level. The quote reminds the consumer that it is pointless to take negative action towards a person who is already reaping negative consequences of their actions.

“We want people to know there is a whole entire world outside of your door; ‘Go Explore It’,” said Washington.

Washington’s goal was to create a brand for that is accepted and loved by collegiate fashionistas. His vision requires students to simply be themselves. 20Five|Twenty5 appeals to urban and street wear lovers as a well as color-blocking preps, vintage sheik epicureans and grunge fanatics.

“In about five years I see this brand advancing in sales and productivity,” said Sean Simpson, 20, a pre-biology student at Tallahassee Community College. “The brand appeals to students because it has a bold but sleek composition of design – it stands out without being too predictable or gaudy.”

For more information on 20Five|Twenty5, please visit http://www.2ft5.com.


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