When you’re trying to make your name in menswear, the way Makram “Mak” Hamd is, it helps to have a few heavyweights working with you.
So the 28-year-old designer teamed with Richard Sherman of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Dennis Graham, the musician father of the Canadian rapper Drake.
The Michigan designer got Sherman’s attention by sending him free product samples — and the cornerback liked the suits so much that he wore one to the ESPYs.
Later, on a trip to California, Mak met Graham — Drake’s dapper, mustached dad — through a mutual connection and sent samples his way, too.
Both the football player and the rapper’s dad agreed to collaborate with Hamd on two new lines of suits.
“That was a good way to do it,” Sal Hamd, Mak’s father, tells MLive of his son’s strategy.
Hamd recently hosted a trunk show at his parents’ custom suit shop, Saginaw Suits and Alterations, where he showcased the two new collections to local customers.
The “RSPCT by Richard Sherman” line of suits is described as athletic, but still professional-looking, while the Dennis Graham Collection features more eccentric, fashion-forward styles — such as the purple suit above.
The two new lines are coming soon to the relaunched Maks Menswear.