If Looks Could Kill: AK-47 maker sets sight on men's fashion
Kalashnikov, the Russian company that makes the AK-47 assault rifle -- the world's most popular gun -- is launching a new line of menswear.
Listen to Gavin perform a fake ad for Kalashnikov's new clothing line:
The company announced this week it's planning to open 60 boutiques across Russia, which will sell military-style clothing and accessories. If things go well, Kalashnikov is hoping to sign an exclusive deal, providing both uniforms and guns to the fashion police.
The move is an attempt to make up for a drop in the company's falling guns sales. The U.S. and European Union have imposed sanctions on Kalashnikov products -- a measure against Russia's involvement in the Crimea. It is also considering publishing a line of how-to books, with titles such as: Staging a Political Coup for Dummies and Coastal Pirating Made Easy.
Because News panelists, Eric Peterson, Candy Palmater and Tom Howell weighed in on the gun company's foray into fashion.
I'm wearing camouflage Spanx. That doesn't make me a killer.- Candy Palmater
Tom Howell, predicted the clothing line would do especially well among ironic hipsters.
It's increasingly common for companies with strong brands to diversify into fashion. In recent years Harley Davidson, Caterpillar and Swiss Army have all come out with clothing lines. And American gun maker, Smith & Wesson has an apparel line too,
Eric Peterson, for one, would like to see the trend picked up by brands with pacifistic leanings: "I wish Quaker Oats had a line of clothing I could wear while eating porridge," he said. "I really like porridge."