SIX2SIX Society at Klein’s has opened at 912 S. Charles St. in Federal Hill. The approximately 1,000 sq. ft. space was formerly the home of WoodKnott, which relocated, and long-time occupant Klein’s Antiques. SIX2SIX Society gives a nod to Klein’s in its name, as well as by keeping the long-standing sign on the storefront.
SIX2SIX Society is a vintage and restructured men’s and women’s clothing shop from owners Gabe Abato and Bria Givans. Abato and Givans have their own clothing line Haute Urban, which will also be sold in the store. Both owners are also artists and will put their airbrushed and bedazzled designs on Haute Urban’s clothing items which include jackets and T-shirts.
“A lot of new brands take from styles of the past, so we are trying to get you the original,” said Abato.
Items will include original motorcycle jackets, original satin jackets, and gear from popular brands including Adidas, Nike, and Puma. SIX2SIX will sell dead stock and pre-owned items. “We source from all over the world,” said Abato.
Abato has traveled all over the world as a hip hop artist, M.C., and producer, and his stage name is M.I. The record label, SIX2SIX Records, focuses on 90s hip hop which Abato says experienced a recent rise in popularity in Europe, Japan, and South America. M.I. is in Global Platoon and the M.C. of Constant Deviants.
SIX2SIX Records also promotes artists Rome, Sparrow, and One Speaker Supreme. The company has spent recent years putting out previously recorded songs on vinyl, which Abato said experienced a boom from about 2005 to 2015.
Also under the SIX2SIX Society umbrella is its production company SIX2SIX Films.
SIX2SIX Society’s store space will make room for pop-up businesses. It will feature local vendors selling clothing lines, perfumes, jewelry, and more. Pop-up businesses will not have to be on-site as the items will be sold by Abato, Givans, and the staff at SIX2SIX Society.
The store will also host art exhibits showing off pieces by Abato, Givans, and other local artists.
SIX2SIX Society will be open Thursday to Sunday from 12pm to 8pm and Monday to Wednesday by appointment.
SIX2SIX Society ended up in Federal Hill somewhat randomly. “We were just looking for somewhere to do our art and make our clothes,” said Abato. “We were in the area and saw a for rent sign, and it just looked so unique. When we came and saw it was industrial on the inside, it reminded me of old school Baltimore.”
The new shop is a return to Federal Hill for Abato who owned a tattoo parlor in the neighborhood in the 1990s.
Abato is happy to be back. “Federal Hill is a very solid neighborhood that never really died off,” he said. “There is a good vibe and all of South Baltimore is coming up strong right now.”
From the SIX2SIX Society Instagram
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