Why did we switch names?

Did any of you notice the new name?

For those of you just joining us, we used to be Gallant Suits and are now Urbane + Gallant.  Here's why we switched:

1. we want to be a brand that sells a lifestyle and not just a product
2. we want to go beyond just suits

The more we progress together as a team in optimizing our company to make the most impact in the fight against human trafficking, the more we realized that social enterprises, such as ours, need to go beyond just selling a product.  That's basic stuff for a social enterprise.  Instead, what we at U+G really want to see is a sweeping transformation in culture and how people view the issue of modern day slavery, in general, and how men view women, in particular.  But how do you change a culture?  It's through a changed lifestyle. 

As men realize that they are part of the problem of the global sex trade and then are provided with a way to be a part of the solution, men are slowly going to live their lives differently, in a way that gives to this world instead of taking from it.

U+G is providing this opportunity for men to get onto a unit and fight alongside one another to accomplish a mission: ending the demand for the global sex trade.  That's a worthy mission for men of all ages to go after.  If you, men, begin to realize just how prevalent modern day slavery is in our backyards in the US and how painful and wretched it is for those trafficked, you will want to do something about it.   That's the change in lifestyle we're looking for. 

When men want to do something about the demand for commercial sex in LA, for example, that continues to bring women from Mexico, South Korea, SE Asia, and Eastern Europe and other US states, a lifestyle changes and a change in culture is in progress. 

Why the words Urbane + Gallant?

These two words capture perfectly the essence of this company and what we're trying to do.  Let's look at their definitions.

Urbane
adj.

1. (of a person, especially a man) reflecting sophistication, courtesy, and cultured and refined tastes
2. comes from the Latin word urbanus, which means "belonging to a city"

Gallant
adj.

1. brave, heroic; fighting for the freedom and protection of others
2. (of a man or his behavior) giving special attention and respect to women; chilvarous

noun

1. a dashing man of fashion; a fine gentleman

We want men to reflect characteristics of an urbane, gallant man—a man who is well tuned to the things going on in the world around him and uses his strength and abilities to fight for the freedom and protection of others, in general, and to respect and honor women, in particular.  All this while also enjoying fashion and having the opportunity to dress presentably and well, as the women of this world will all appreciate.

In addition, the Latin root word, urbanus, captures our love for the city and understanding of how much power cities hold to do good.  You see, culture is dictated by the cities of a nation, not in the suburbs or the rural towns.  In the US, culture is dictated by what is produced and created in dense metropolitan cities, such as LA and NYC.  In Korea, it's Seoul.  In Italy, it's Milan.  In England, it's London.  It is from these cities that culture can be changed, and that is why we strategically housed ourselves in LA and Seoul.  It is from these two cities we're going to proclaim our message of hope to victims of human trafficking and proclaim our rallying cry for the men of the cities to embark on a mission to change the lives of thousands of people for the better.  It is also in these cities we find the biggest stars of entertainment in music, film, and sports—the people who dictate what culture is, what a man is or isn't. 

We're incredibly excited to have this scope of vision and mission laid out in front of U+G because the more we succeed and do our job well, the more lives we get to change.  There's nothing more motivating and fulfilling than that.