LEXINGTON, Ky., July 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Theo Edmonds has combined the cultural traditions of Appalachia, Richard Florida's principles from his best selling book, "Rise of the Creative Class", the 'green living' mega-trend and cosmopolitan urban loft living into a single new business brand and philosophy that is intent on transforming the negative stereotypes usually associated with the term 'hillbilly' into a chic trend in high art and home design in metropolitan markets like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami.
"I'd tired of hearing national media outlets put forth only derogatory definitions of Appalachia when historical facts show that the ingenuity and intellect of the Appalachian people created one of the only true indigenous cultures (music, art, writing, etc.) ever in America that grew from blend of Native American, Anglo and African traditions," said Edmonds.
"If understood, this rich culture and its traditions of original creativity, brilliant ingenuity and genuine collaboration have deep relevance for everyone in today's world." But, Edmonds continues, "HILLBILLY CHIC(tm) is not about geography. It's a spirited and empowering thought process and an intellectually honest way of re-visioning and re-valuing the things, places and people around you in a productive, positive and beautiful way no matter where you may reside."
On Friday, August 3, 2007 from 6-9pm, KY's emerging creative class, entrepreneurial business community and political leaders will be gathering at The Lorillard Lofts, commercial real estate developer Robert A. McGoodwin's (www.coolspaces.com) latest upscale loft/condo conversion in a 1940's tobacco processing plant in downtown Lexington, KY, to join Edmonds' in the launch of his new cosmopolitan art, design and lifestyle company for the 21st Century urbanites.
The launch of HILLBILLY CHIC(tm)(HC) includes:
* Interactive art gallery installation show by Edmonds entitled
"The Serious Calling of an Optimistic Rebel Prophet".
* A tour of HC's first Design Garage 21C(tm) project by Edmonds and
co-creator of Design Garage 21C, Tom Weisenbach - a high-end,
1500sf artist loft/studio/living space created almost entirely
with recycled materials from industrial warehouses and Appalachian
farms. Plans for a 'Design Garage 21C' television show will be
discussed.
* In the same spirit of Ben and Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream, Edmonds
will also announce plans for HC to be a for-profit company that
will use a significant percentage of ALL net profits, from the
very beginning, to develop a philanthropy program that will
directly benefit KY in three primary ways:
1. A privately funded educational and scholarship program to
promote a sustainable creative and performing arts
curriculum in KY.
2. A natural resources tourism and preservation program for
the Red River Gorge area.
3. An economic development program to fund, advise and create
entrepreneurial for-profit businesses in downtown Lexington
that have an arts or arts-related mission.
To find out more about Edmonds, visit his new blog spot http://mky.marketingky.com/
To see a visual preview of HILLBILLY CHIC(tm), log onto the new cooperative marketing website Edmonds created www.coollifeky.com