By Alison A. Nieder, Apparel News
Streetwear designer Karl Kani is coming home, so to speak. The Brooklyn native, who has been based in Los Angeles since the 1990s, recently launched an American-made capsule collection for men and women.
Karl Kani’s menswear line (Apparel News)
“Everything is made in the USA, the same way we started back in the early ’90s when everything was made here,” Kani said.
Originally launched in 1993, the Karl Kani brand started as a U.S.-made brand, but as the company grew, production shifted overseas. For the new line, the designer sourced everything with local contractors—including a few who produced for Kani back in the ’90s.
“A lot of factories that we did business with back in the day—whether it’s the original owners or they passed it down to their family members—still exist,” Kani said. “They were very supportive because they knew the success that we had before.”
The new capsule collection, which recently bowed at Wildstyle on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue, features some of the signature pieces Karl Kani was always known for but reinterpreted for a modern customer.
“We brought back some of the vintage pieces that Karl Kani was known for, [like] the traditional two-piece sweatsuits, and we altered the fit to fit today’s marketplace,” Kani said. “Our goal from the beginning [was], if we’re going to do a sweatsuit, we’re going to do more of a luxury item.”
Pieces are made with high-end fabrications and feature special details such as Italian Riri zippers and gold-plated metal trim.
“It’s high-end, special [and] very exclusive,” Kani said.
Wholesale price points will run about $65 for bottoms and $80 for tops. Kani said he worked to keep prices moderate to make the line accessible.
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