FROM OUR FILES: LUCIOS DICTATE STYLE, MACHINE POLITICS; THERE WAS PLENTY OF IES MONEY WHERE THAT CAME FROM

September 2009
El Rrun-Rrun

To a standing room only of usual political hacks looking for a free buffet and amid the blinding flashes of paparazzi cameras, Ganas Clothing designer Eddie Lucio III on Wednesday unveiled his fall lineup of Eddielander pantsuits at The Devolution Martini Lounge & Patio Bar Boutique and Grille Shoppe.

Inspired by former first lady Hillary Clinton, Lucio (pronounced Loo-chi-o) said he envisioned the male pantsuit as a statement of a man who knows what he wants, embraces dynasty, sells his public office, and is not afraid to show it.

Lucio, Ganas' Co-Founder and Creative Director and a state representative when he's not sashaying on the runway, states his unique urban style line of graphic print Ts, tanks and hoodies gives young, hip buyers the opportunity to celebrate Latino culture through fashion. Having access to almost unlimited PAC support through Daddy Eddie Jr. don't hurt a bit, either!

And when he launched his Golpe de haberdashery on the local scene, his co-founder and fellow investor Ruben Gallegos Jr., a vice-president with daddy Ruben Gallegos Jr.,

International Education Services (IES) was right next to him pitching  the line.

These connoisseurs of style even shelled out good bucks to professional UFC fighters in Las Vegas to model them for them as a promotion. The arrangement, as Gallegos Jr. described it was that after a UFC win by their fighters they would put it on for $10,000 each..

The bigger the fight, the more they would pay. That takes a lot of Big Bucks.

But both Lucio III and Ruben Jr. were on the IES payroll. When the IES was shut down by the feds the III was on retainer at $125,000 a year as either vice president of external affairs (?) or legal counsel.

Gallegos Jr. was raking in some $630,000 from taking care of unaccompanied migrant minors at IES facilities. Some of those facilities may have been owned by either Gallegos and sold back or rented to IES.

There was plenty of federal dollars awash. Was this one way to do the laundry? Only the "best friends" (and perhaps an FBI agent or two?) know.

Inspired by Latino Culture, Ganas Clothing artwork depicts symbols of strength, honor, political monopoly, dynastic visions, and beauty. Iconic imagery illustrates the traditions that speak to the fighting spirit.

"This unique, urban style line gives buyers the opportunity to celebrate culture through fashion. Our designs capture the essence of Latino folklore and are printed on versatile attire, appropriate for an array of events. All materials are carefully selected, with quality and customer satisfaction in mind.

"Ganas Clothing incorporates both traditional and modern Latino symbolism for each piece in the collection. Concepts of character, tradition, culture, passion and victory, fixed elections, bought votes, among many others, are represented in the original artwork.

"We celebrate the spirit of the athlete, the thrill of the fight and the will to survive. We believe the true definition of Ganas, at its core, speaks to everyone, everywhere, everyday!"

A man's got to do what a man's got to do. Lucios rule!