Karl Kani: There's No Loyalty in Fashion, Bootleggers, Brand Decline in 2000's

[@V59971]

This guy needs to drop those kani tshirts like Pac used to wear....with that legendary signature..

[@garywarner6526]

I had karl kani sneakers

[@theroots450]

The purple one that he’s wearing in the thug angel documentary , rip pac

[@JimmyCrackCorn_]

he needs to drop some throwback gear like vlad does flashback videos

[@razorbacks1983]

I was in the mall in Vegas they sell karl kani the tshirts

[@summoofit4874]

Umm yall do know he has a website right?

[@viralbuthow000]

The reason for the sharp decline is that those brands were tied to hip hop. As hip hop changed, brands failed to pivot with the times. Their loss.

[@mikeperry7335]

yup I'm sure they didn't realize that they should've pump up the women's line so that shit still be popping roday

[@unclestreetz9377]

true

[@williefonte23]

No that is not the reason..... The reason is simple & that is the facts that Blacks Still Have That Crab In The Barrel Azz Mentality to keep pulling & destroying each other or what we build!..... Simple

[@williefonte23]

Panini Chowder ......Exactly Panini!!

[@PhntmStudios]

supreme has always been tied to hiphop but some how they got the cheat code.

[@DiverseLA]

Karl Kani did bring up a good point. If you want your brand to stay relevant, you have to change with the times. Some of those streetwear brands was still trying to do XXXL tall tees and size 40 baggy jeans when that stuff was going out. With the giant logos. People don't rock giant logos anymore for the most part.

[@jesuspiece9008]

Ralph lauren

[@MoezesSsaa]

you know raunchy lauren haha good times cheers mate!

[@Ace_etereo]

Bape and supreme are logo based.

[@TheBlackKnowledgeNetwork]

+Adam Johnson (RailRoad) but they switched shit up though

[@fdr100100]

unfortunately that is incorrect the secret to success has been and will always been truth this means to never chase but to be chased to have mass all fundamental truths are infact laws of physics every single thing humans do has a quantum equivalent truth honesty integrity and all these morals are simply human personifications of these laws so in other words to stay relevant you have to apply these principles always pursue the abstract and not the physical because the abstract creates the physical the physical cannot create the abstract in business or any pursuits in life there is nothing to figure out no secret business trick etc. its simply be dope for dopeness sake the second you try and work out an angle you lose thats the laws of physics against a constituent of reality

[@TheDaddynate]

Historically great black businessman dropping gems. He said a lot if you listen.

[@zrcjhf]

Nate TheDaddy did you listen??

[@donshit7519]

Karl Kani was a inspiration to everybody who ever touched a screenprinter or ever designed any urban clothing.

[@briangriggs]

#facts

[@taharqa332]

"They weren't bootlegging Tommy and Polo but were bootlegging the hell out of me!" That comment is interesting - wouldn't be surprised if Hilfiger and Lauren weren't behind the bootlegging in order to keep getting that black dollar and run Karl out of business.

[@kobiesboxing4956]

Mansa Musa Conspiracy theory.

[@josephmcdonald9933]

Right

[@siriusblackwhitebuffalo791]

Sounds like facts

[@misterkaywhy55]

@Indigenous Immortal OR because bootlegging tends to happen the most to cheaper and/or lesser known brands more than the expensive ones.

[@brandondyer9938]

@Indigenous Immortal Karl khani should did what Supreme clothing , was. Make less .sell more..like Supreme logo box. They don't make lot a t shirts every where to sell at retail. Limited edition stuff. Market strategy

[@shanecarter1233]

AS A UPCOMING FASHION DESIGNER MYSELF THIS WAS A GOOD INTERVIEW I NEEDED THIS

[@yippykaye4915]

God bless your hustle bro keep grinding

[@itzKingIzzo2U]

Karl was out there solving cases

[@MisterJohnson303]

Kang Izzo Risky 😂😂😂

[@josephmcdonald9933]

The real sherlock

[@LilJustinThaGreat]

That nigga was snitching 😂😂😂😂

[@joannab.763]

@@josephmcdonald9933 Lol for real

[@joannab.763]

@@LilJustinThaGreat LOL

[@vwilliams8196]

LOL, speaking of Phat Pharm, does anyone remember those long Fat Albert T-Shirt they use to make back in 2001? Or, am I just the oldest negro on this channel?

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

that was Fubu with that corny fat Albert theme

[@tyroniussupapookiemcleroy1403]

Fubu Platinum

[@vwilliams8196]

MrWARBUCKS24 Sure was! I'm getting old and forgetting everything. They were ridiculous.

[@vwilliams8196]

MC Hammer daddy Yes, how could I forget, That is around the time LL Cool J made Fatty Girl. I'm guessing to promote the line. It had the Fat Albert theme song as the beat. Then came the slang Badonkkadonk. It is all coming back. Thanks for reminding me.

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

+V Williams it's all good that corny shit was forgettable them jeans was like 110 I was buying 2 pairs of polo jeans for that price at that time

[@edupbeat]

Here in the chi, the "bootleg" Kani shirts wouldn't have double stitching in the letters. It was actually easy to spot a fake one & I was in 7th grade. They also faded after one wash(I copped one).

[@wondahwhy]

And the t-shirts would have fruit of the loom tags on them

[@peloteroification]

A AA

[@littlep1255]

Karl and AZ always look related to me.

[@pstrilla]

thought it was AZ in the thumbnail lowkey at first lol

[@talibmoore8537]

agreed...

[@d.cpro3751]

Naw him and Kareem biggs of rocafella I swear was brothers like no bullshit

[@littlep1255]

Roberto Carbonell Page Biggs always looked like Omar Gooding to me.

[@solidasarock06]

Roberto Carbonell Page Nah...........Jay Williams, the former Chicago Bulls player who got injured, is a spitting image of Biggs lol.

[@xtasymusik]

i still support Karl Kani, Fubu and South Pole.

[@garnish6447]

Much of my fashion taste is based on the 2000s' urban trend (Ecko, Enyce, Rocawear, Sean John, Vokal, after Karl Kani and Varcity). Granted, I'm a millennial in my early 30s, so I was a teen > young adult during that time, but I wear loose, right-sized, slim-fitting clothing. People can say what they want about Kani clothing style, but it's imo got some timelessness with staying power, a lot more than skinny clothes, which I never liked and whose trend imo is due for replacement on the men's side. Let's hope for something a lot more suitable and timeless.

[@sekaidaniels2062]

Fubu and South Pole hasn't made any knew, clothes since the 90' s

[@juneboutit8960]

South Pole u outta line for that bro lol

[@hakeemsd70m]

@@sekaidaniels2062 Southpole was sold at Sears until they went out of business, and you can still find Southpole at Burlington.

[@haddingtoniangcp2464]

Got a Southpole jeans I still rock.

[@Bigtymer33721]

Karl Kani is classic

[@creativegroup729]

Enjoyed the interview with Karl Kani. We are never ever allowing homosexuals to style us in tight & skinny attire. These new Millennial & Gen X styles are feminine. We will stay masculine.

[@AlSween]

I think in the community brush things off as "irrelevant" or "old" after 6 months. Look how music is treated these days.

[@bronzkhrome4024]

so you're telling me that you would actually wear Karl Kani today?

[@AlSween]

Bronz Khrome Ionno... I'm not a very style oriented person as you can see from my profile pic.

[@bronzkhrome4024]

+AlSween lol, to me it's just a style that kk needed to mature, which I think he didn't, lol

[@AlSween]

+Bronz Khrome true... I agree

[@bronzkhrome4024]

+AlSween 2010 Acura Blue Cross colors becoming the brand name for crackheads so weird because you seem all over the city wearing those bright as African colors.

[@Stupeaz]

Dope interview Vlad. Really interesting look back on how fashion has grown in Hip hop. Made me miss the "Maurice Malone" 👖 days for a second lol.

[@paparaci1]

Pelle pelle was my favorite back in the days

[@sekaidaniels2062]

Pelle pelle will kill em in the 3 piece collections.

[@kobiesboxing4956]

Forgot about them.

[@josephmcdonald9933]

Not to mention the leather jackets. Couldnt wait for winter.

[@pettyjones]

now they are hypmatized with hatred

[@number1heatrocka287]

😂😂😂 never gets old

[@KnuckleUpFightzzzzzz]

Why?

[@sowhas1135]

They who?

[@bloodclawvega6243]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@brivvy]

LOL!

[@Rubango]

Love this interview series, thanks so much. Lived in Germany in the nineties, if you had a Karl Kani t sort you wore it everyday. Every time I traveled to the US returned with Karl Kani goodies to sell

[@flying-fijiantv6282]

tupac introduced me to karl kani

[@jameshayden2538]

Look At Levis Jeans......Forever Timeless

[@csd8204]

Seriously? Levis has morphed repeatedly. Stretch. Relaxed fit. Skinny. They just have the LEVI name but they've been responsive to trends and the market just like everyone else.

[@selfishstockton6123]

Chris Dee those are just different cuts of the same thing. That’s not morphing lol

[@csd8204]

@@selfishstockton6123 Different cuts? Stretch material isnt a "cut" it's a different material altogether and is following a trend. Oh, and, "LOL".

[@gangsta5979]

@@csd8204 lol you pissed on him so hard

[@hakeemsd70m]

Sean John jeans are equally timeless. Black people just don't wanna support their own. Yes, I'm aware Diddy sold Sean John, but still. Hilfiger and Calvin Klein no longer own their namesake brands either.

[@hiphoprbloverjon9180]

Good perspective on why urban brands fizzle out. Always wondered why and now finally have a better understanding. Influx of similar styles during those times, hype fading due to it being in more retail stores, and lack of staying updated. Like others said in this comment section, these urban brands are connected to Hip Hop from the jump and we all know mainstream Hip Hop is constantly changing not only musically but fashion wise. I think too these rappers always want something new all the time so when they see regular joes on the street rocking the same shit it devalues their ego. That's why Gucci and Louis are still popular in the Hip Hop community because it's secluded towards the rich and more expensive that middle class-poor can't attain. As fucked up it might sound...

[@AWolfInWolfsClothing]

Some brands just wasn't meant to be like Vokal and Akoo. I've never saw anyone wearing P. Miller sneakers. That's not a diss I'm just agreeing with Karl when he said some brands weren't meant from the start.

[@tomfarace582]

Get some KANI ! forget about this bape and supreme shit these hypebeasts wear.

[@naishawn9840]

Hell no

[@MisterJohnson303]

Tommy Farace Yes, Karl Kani all day.

[@hakeemsd70m]

Karl Kani for life!

[@solidbreed9767]

@@naishawn9840 fucc those white owned

[@grantbarnes6004]

Good guys. Good heart. Goooood guys.

[@DiverseLA]

Give you the shirt off they backs. Bootlegged Karl Kani shirts.

[@TACOGOODLOOKING]

Is it coincidence all their shirts Karl Kani!?!

[@koopstamc]

Lol I'm tired of hearing Ares Spears ass too 😂😂😂

[@ericthomas7885]

mhmm *vlad voice*

[@MichaelCouture87]

Take you to watch Finding Dora with your kids...goooood guys.

[@jaymillymills]

Thank you for posting this, it was extremely helpful, I will actually share this in school

[@zlistcelebrityYT]

Black people don't support their own brands. Instead, they feel better wearing European brands because massa told them that's what you need to have to feel like you're cool. Then, after they've given Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain and Givenchy all their money to the tune of double digit BILLIONS, they turn to Diddy, Jay-Z, Kanye West, T.I. and Russel Simmons etc after ignoring their products and bootlegging their music and say "You need to give back to the hood or you a sellout."

[@charityragin]

That's how they get big, the support. They get money and give up on their lines. They don't evolve woth the people and continue to research and market in a way that's still relevant to the trends.

[@x-g1]

Its not just that, the problem is a lot of these expensive brands that rappers wear have small logos and are meant for a different purpose and clientel but are worn simply to show they've made it and have money. If u design something loud specifically for hip hop fans then u must expect the brand to fade with the trend as it has no other purpose and if it becomes whack then thats what it is and its as simple as that.

[@s4mp_founder]

Many brands aren't as popular as they once we're to black people because our culture is constantly creating and recreating itself as time shifts. We aren't a group that lives simply in one era like many others do, we manifest new ones. One of the reasons why hip hop has so many stored rappers who are held to claim and valuable recognition particularly in certain generations because the music itself is constantly changing with each new talent with it's own unique style that overwhelms the moment for a time until something new comes along in a short stint span that re-influences the culture over again. Grandmaster Flash and Furious five talked social messages from the ghetto, Public Enemy elevated it to black power consciousness, 2pac borrowed that essence then coincided with the street and poetic intelligence that related to the youth, de la soul and tribe called quest added it with flavor and their own funky easy-cool style. The fashion in the 80's idolized the upscale look of brands like a Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or MCM that followed with a more street look that Kani, Cross Colors and other ushered in. That made way to the baggy pants, throwback jerseys, fitted caps, avirex jackets, or long black and white t shirts.

[@plainjane457]

Well said

[@dansefureva7664]

Do you know MCM is making a comeback?

[@Pizone81]

🤔Agreed very well put

[@dansefureva7664]

I believe when you design clothes you have to keep in mind trendy clothing,logos,bright colors and size. Conservative and mature people tend to be discreet not wear loud clothes. People like Ralph Lauren thought ahead into the future. But I must admit we had it going on back in the day!!!! I luv you Karl Kani😘

[@robbiebalboa]

I pulled out a fubu fitted the other day, I'm waiting for the 00's comeback. 😂

[@garnish6447]

Never liked FUBU, but 00s style is ripening for comeback. Until then, a sprinkle of that with timeless slim-fitting clothing should do.

[@rondeisel]

Dude! I have a leather Karl Kani leather motorcycle/varsity jacket! Copped it in 96. I'm gonna sport it this winter.

[@hakeemsd70m]

@@garnish6447 I agree with you, 00s fashion is comeback ready. I never cared for slim fit clothes, I don't even wear skinny jeans. I can get with straight and tapered fit, though.

[@Gemini050788]

It's as simple as this. Fashion has always been tied to the music at the time. You can directly link what we wore with what music was the shit. Artists mentioning brands and labels. Since pumas and kongols, to jerseys/throwbacks/jersey dress.... to now. And forever.

[@malikantwan3272]

i been living in Germany for the last 7 years and Karl Kani still got a nice market over here. The quality is good and the price is not always cheap depending on when and where you buy it but it is not too expensive to the point of being unaffordable. Polo is expensive over here and harder to find. I have always been a fan of polo and i do buy a lot of polo products and i can honestly say that its a nice brand new but as soon as you wash it its over it. I don´t buy a lot of Karl Kani but the few items i did buy remained the same quality after being washed as when i bought them. Im not a clothes freak anyway. Im a tattoo artist and the dumbest thing i can do is wear expensive clothes to work because tattoo ink does not wash out. I dress normal when im at my shop and save my good clothes for special events or going out when i feel the need to look extra sharp. Investing alot money in clothes is stupid because seasons and styles change. Me and my wife I invest most of our money in my house (wich we own to make sure the value of it stays high and keeps rising because eventualy we will pass it on to our son so that he has capital to have a head start. We also like to put money in his savings account every month because instead of only thinking of ourselfs we think more about him and his future and the kids he might eventually have.

[@afterpodcast]

DJ VLAD at 5:55 "Logentivity"....and Karl Kani correcting him and thinking: "What am I doing here???"

[@MissJacque87]

Karl Kani, FuBu, Iceberg, Lacoste, Sergio Valente, JORDACHE!! Classics!!

[@josephmcdonald9933]

Gad damn you took me back. I love me some Sergio. I remember buying a 1000 bucks worth of them for 100 bucks from a crack head. I was the man.

[@n.r-s4344]

i respect the honesty and how humble this guy is. god bless him

[@carlkelly9236]

The clothes he's selling today are high quality and totally lit.

[@hakeemsd70m]

Absolutely fam, I just copped the Kingston shirt in black 😎

[@absaloj]

One of my heroes right there!! I remember 2 PAC wearing Karl Kani and wanted to know who’s Karl Kani .. my youth nostalgia

[@umbrellacorporationwuhanfa3731]

I sported Kani HARD back then! Still would if it was around.

[@sekaidaniels2062]

Karl kani and marty jaboe Jean's

[@MrSKOR1]

Interesting interview.. Looking forward to seeing all of the clips

[@DankDaddyz]

Vlad why the hell would you ask Trinidad James a fashion question?? u gotta take that L I'm sorry bro

[@1lifestyle112]

This era are definitely trying to dress like they're parents did back in the 90s

[@SHADOW-ph4ic]

Starter snapbacks, Vans, Stussy, Jordans, cuban links etc. All warned in the 90s by this new gens folks. Facts

[@DankDaddyz]

+Carlos Pimentel your absolutely right they are wearing same stuff just Swagging it out just a lil different

[@willlpowerful]

I don't remember my pops or any male around me in the 90s wearing dresses or skinny ass jeans tho

[@NINETEEN808_]

Thats good tbh , the problem is how they wear it

[@jordanbaker1991]

You need to help the NFL with they concussion case cuz your head fucked up if you believe that

[@adriangreen9785]

these kids now shop pretty more frugal than we did,they shop stores like forever 21,rue 21,old navy, and h&m, it's all about what matches the shoes now

[@G90p]

The one thing that I like about vlad is that he can touch on a sensitive subject respectfully when asking a tough question, and that's a quality that many reporters/interviewers just don't know how to do.

[@bmeproductions5926]

I remember in middle school I wore Fubu. Then upgraded to platinum Fubu, but my favorite was ecko.

[@CaliCool91]

I agree because Karl Kani is actually a pretty cool brand in 2016, he adjusted to the times and I would have no issue wearing Karl Kani now a days. I couldn't imagine myself with a Phat Farm or FUBU fit on though.

[@ArymAsil]

i would definitely wear a fubu jersey with some cold kicks, just to support black businesses

[@ArymAsil]

i would definitely wear a fubu jersey with some cold kicks, just to support black businesses

[@sresner7]

White boys be on the hunt for vintage FUBU pieces these days. They find stuff at thrift stores and on ebay, and wear it ironically. # fububoyz if you want a good laugh

[@BitterMedicinePodcast]

I think a point that is missed by many here is: There is a downside to business models built on trendiness. Polo, for example, is stylish and functional; Polo shirts are always in. A brand built off of hip-hop has to constantly keep its ear to the ground and at times be ahead of the movement to succeed long term.

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

Buying those bootleg jeans use to bleed like Hell when you washed them! Hated that shit!

[@mikeperry7335]

don't get caught in the rain with white shoes on

[@mrrackz314]

facts💯real nigga shit

[@craigdelesbore5869]

word

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

Mike Perry I lost so many white Ones & reebok Classics because of that.

[@kaywya96]

+BlackJohnnyCage only real nigga wore 1s & classic Reebook

[@DominiqueMarsell]

Vlad, these Karl Kani interviews are key!

[@NOLAZACK]

By far one of the best interviews by VLAD.....cause I am not a big fan but Karl dropped some nuggets on this...

[@coreygoree1256]

Question: how do u know that it wasnt the bigger companys tht wasnt coping ur clothes..... Just like they took ur sales force.....

[@MACKTV82KINGS]

great interview

[@Klash716]

"One day I was walking by With a Walkman on When I caught a guy give me an awkward eye (what you looking at?) And strangled him off in the parking lot with his Karl Kani"

[@BlackJohnnyCage]

Slim Shady 🔥

[@mischiff26]

i dont give a fuck if its dark or not

[@bryantphale]

+Lance Wesley then when the cops came thru, me and dre stood next to a burnt down house. ........

[@kedakoop]

+bryantphale with a hand full of matches

[@YTtunes222]

hahahaa W

[@kharyrobertson3579]

They were bootlegging your clothes because the people who were typically buying your clothes had no problem with buying them from illegitimate source on Jamaica Ave. and similar third party retailers. Tommy Hilfiger (one example, there are many others) was marketing to a demographic that only really shopped in malls and outlet stores so the bootleggers did not have venue to distribute the clothing efficiently.

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

Hilfiger shit was heavily bootlegged too the logos were easy to duplicate if u from NYC then u know damn near every brand from Kani to gucci could be brought bootleg from Jamaica ave Pitkin ave 125th and Canal Street

[@kharyrobertson3579]

MrWARBUCKS24 The point is that Hilfiger was not marketing to the people who bootlegged his apparel. If you bootleg something from someone who had no intention to sell the item to you then you do not hurt their bottom line financial investment. If you bootleg something that is openly being marketed to you then you will hurt the financial gain of the person trying to sell the item at large.

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

+Khary Robertson iight got u

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

+Azzury Street Gucci being bootlegged on a small scale wasn't a issue but it was a very big issue when they found out about Dapper Dan selling his Gucci and other high end brands at the same or higher prices

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

+Marvin Santana yeah once those high end brands found out a black man on 125th was making as much or more then their 5th Ave stores they had to get rid of him also big chunk of his clientele started going to jail idk about gentrification playing a role but his store had mean run shit was literally open 24/7

[@IQ-nu2bl]

Yo remember Parasuco's jeans with the lights! 😂😂😂

[@keinocowan422]

IQ no🤷🏿‍♂️

[@slick1hit]

Missed those Kani rugby shirts.

[@MrCbwTV]

Me too!

[@philipgeorge7811]

Karl Kani has so much knowledge in this space. He should be the head of a Louis Vuitton or a Burberry brand. I know he's a boss but if I was a huge brand I would back up the brinks truck to have him on my team.

[@archielee8218]

Don't forget about Coogi, Iceberg, Girbaud & Guess. Everybody was down with one these brands at some point.

[@carlkelly9236]

Well, I buy from Karl Kani every chance I get. I buy directly from his website and nowhere else. His style and quality can't be beat. I'm glad he back!

[@on2wheels378]

He's back? This is a three year old upload... No one buying that stuff..

[@carlkelly9236]

You are so wrong, it's sad. Stop being negative.

[@on2wheels378]

@@carlkelly9236 What did I say that was wrong? Polo still around, Hilfiger, Supreme is now charging $10k for a LV skateboard... They all started like him, were fighting bootleggers like he was... Whoa is me. Just like all the our brothers in the hood blaming everyone but themselves.

[@carlkelly9236]

You just said no one is buying his stuff but I do and others do.

[@rondeisel]

Salute Karl Kani. I had Karl KaniJean's, sweat shirts, sneakers, hats, and about four nice leathers His line had the highest quality materials.

[@jadariusmcnally4842]

Karl still in business. Niggas to this day rocking Karl Kani still

[@MichaelCobbs]

Great interview.

[@cursealoud]

Karl Kani made the flyest shit ever. He had a nice eye for fashion. Kinda like Puffy with his Sean John suits. His hoodies were the shit. If you washed it a 100 times it would never shrink or feel tight. Shit felt like you were wearing a mink

[@peterthomson6161]

Ralph Lauren started his career working for Brooks Brothers where he learned all the skills to manufacture and market clothing.

[@MrCbwTV]

I've been waiting! When Sean John came out they bit Karl Kani!

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

Ppl don't even know one of Karl Kani first models was Puffy

[@nomibe2911]

I remember Nas being a model too.

[@mwillz8896]

Karl Malone use to wear Kani for Game shoes.

[@Hizzoner21]

I'm from that Kani, Cross Colors era... Miss it, but at the same token, glad that it's gone. I'm good with a Polo shirt and Levis. Those brands are timeless. Simple, no wild logos, etc...still can look sharp... I'm good.

[@hakeemsd70m]

I'd rather support black buisnesses like Karl Kani and Cross Colors, since Ralph Lauren and Levi's ain't checking for the black community. I'm not pumping my money to them. I never cared much for Ralph Lauren personally, too conservative and boring.

[@INFAmadeOFF]

dude knows his stuff

[@ALLiZMENTAL]

Odd future was a big big big kick starter in the supreme brand. They need to be acknowledged. Supreme had always been around.. but the biggest and most dramatic surge in the brand happened with odd future in 2010 And was followed with Asap mob in late 2011

[@deeirv9631]

I still want a original karl kani sweater

[@IAMGulfKoastGangsta]

Shid, I'll still rock Karl Kani.

[@yaknow11]

Never wore brand brandishing clothes. In high school in late 80s, cats were wearing Polo and so on. They didn't have enough of brands to wear throughout the school week. I bought my clothes from Old Navy and Structure at that time. Both had the styles I liked, smooth casual. I wasn't into brands shown on clothes because it wasn't my style. I can't remember how many shirts I loved but couldn't purchase as the result of the brand being on the shirt. J R Riggins was notorious for that. It's always been my belief the person makes the clothes, not the other way around. I had a hella physique as a youth and gorgeous head of hair(still do) so anything looked good on me. I notice those that purposely wore clothes with ' in your face" brands, often lacked in aesthetic looks. I think the 'in your face" brand name clothing was supposed to make up for that shortcoming.

[@shygirlcomplex]

I recall his jeans they were great quality and had wonderful stitching ... But I think polo is classic a great polo shirt and tee pulse the chinos .. Can't go wrong at any age

[@ricosuave7703]

Isn't Billionaire Boys Club popular in Japan too ?

[@kawannbrown6295]

And bape

[@wendycheng484]

Yup, cause Pharrel backs it in Japan.

[@ricardodiaz8612]

is nigo`s and pharrell brand so technically is a japanese brand

[@martynxtdoor]

he said brands from the 90s

[@rikers263]

Bootlegging killed Karl Kani. I got beat badly by Bootleggers but my quality was so high but the knock off brands shredded us but Kani brand was iconic in me getting into fashion and where I learned not to support knockoffs.

[@neurodancer1]

I just came for the lil boosie outro💯💯

[@esseen100]

Purpose & Media determine the outcomes of brands. If you're an urban apparel company the purpose is to be hip hop culture relevant. If you aren't changing with the culture, you stop being relevant. If the medium you put your brand on is exclusively t-shirts, you're on the same level competing with other activewear brands who have different purposes. If you put your brand on a different medium that's "above" active wear, it in turn raises the value of the brand and allows it to transcend with cultural changes.

[@NaptownsWhipGame317]

Good interview

[@realtalkshaw2766]

Who plays the drums? I always see a drum set... lol

[@ericwinbushjr5017]

I'm 40 yrs old,I'm still wearing them name brands from the 90s,No Shame!!!! Can't wear them nut huggers

[@Horrordelic]

So many of us "older guys" are still wearing the real baggy jeans, i wish they would honor us and make some reruns of the nice styles of the 90s ... Skinny i will never wear..

[@ericwinbushjr5017]

Horrordelic Rekordz Yes I wish they would bring them back my brother

[@nomibe2911]

I wish Karl Kani make a comeback in the US. Can't really feel sorry for him though because that's business 101 when you have a hot product that someone will imitate you.

[@superstarkar718]

Great Interview Vlad

[@dynastbusiness5675]

This pisses me off because its not true. I have a feeling if done correctly these brands (some that have the most cultural impact) will make a slight comeback at least for the fashion forward. Im telling you.... Juicy has came back, Puma, etc. He has a market if he knows how to find it. His name is in the roots of hip-hop.

[@notefevertube5818]

@DjVlad Nice Interview!! OMAVI JEANS from the "Brick City" Newark NJ Use this Concept 1st in 2002- 2005 (THE FULL LINE WAS LIMITED) Per Order!!! They Sold the OMAVI Jean Company it for $77 Million in 2005

[@LaCheleWallace]

Regarding men's fashion, I wish they wouldn't have phased out wide-legged jeans. I know the reason why, but.....anyway, good interview, fellas.

[@Frugality]

am I the only one that doesn't wear brands? I just buy from certain stores.

[@kevinf6650]

Everyone wears a brand.

[@TheCarnivoreSoprano]

that store is a brand.

[@Enigmajestic1]

+SuperPhdiva 😂

[@ExecutionStyleInc]

Literally every piece of clothing is a brand. If someone makes it for mass consumption even if it's not technically labeled as one it's still a brand. Example lets say someone named "John" makes a bunch of clothing but it's not under any label like "Fruit of the Loom" or some shit. Instead he just makes a shit ton of clothing and sells it. His name and association would be the brand "A John Shirt" or "John Jeans". This is why you got high-end brands from fashion designers who simply utilize their name and not a mass marketing label.

[@sekaidaniels2062]

Pelle Pell a still go to this day.

[@maddognogood8346]

The reasons for the decline in hip hop clothes is attitudes have changed. When I was growing up in the 80s and 90s, if you didn't have all name brand stuff, you were lame. Nowadays you can go to a Target, Old Navy, or Primark and put together a nice outfit and people aren't hung up on what name brand you have on.

[@jaykowsh1027]

More business-related interviews please.

[@zion6839]

Honestly, I rarely wear name brand clothes anymore. I was a polo head back in the early 2000s. Now I prefer clothes that fit my body type.

[@dariog36th]

I remember going to the flea markets in Chicago and there was plain white tees coming in and a guy had a sewing machine stitching on FB on the fubu knock offs, and a tank on the No Limit knock offs and those tees were flying out like 1,000 a day at 10 dollars a pop. Those guys making a killing.

[@boogdoggtx]

Man talking real shit man I gotta buy a shirt or something now

[@seanhurley9216]

I remember shops in the 90’s almost always Asian owned that were selling bootleg clothes for like 3 for $10 tee shirts with brand names but it was always just a little off, not enough to notice unless you knew what you were looking at but they always lost their color after the first wash or the shrank hella weird

[@tatlifelover]

Forget "hip hop" brands :/ when are we gonna see the demise of Abercrombie/Hollister/Aeropostale? Another set of what I called "walking advertisement brands".

[@axa5005]

we are seeing the demise of those brands. Hollister and Abercrombie NEVER had sales before, now with the decline in demand there are sales all the time and within the company people have been hired to help with rebranding.

[@chris45627]

Facts I just started buying some hollister and American eagle shit but I hate that whole style Of "Walking advertisement " as you call it Aero/Am Eagle/Hollister all that surfing skating west coast urban metropolitan bullshit idk even know how to describe that style its mad corny

[@tatlifelover]

+chris45627 But you just started buying it..

[@PFAntonio22]

that makes sense lol..

[@chris45627]

+Saii T 😭😭😭 yeah it's not really me I brought a few things to try it out and I was like " this shit is gay" but my mom keeps randomly buying me Holister clothes.

[@_Paul_N]

Urban/Hip-Hop clothing goes out of style extremely fast because they still make baggy ass clothing for the most part. I'm a skinny dude that wears a "small" in t-shirts, but a small in a hip-hop brand is like an extra medium. Go to Citi Trends or a urban clothing store in the hood and most of their clothes are baggy and long. I'm not saying you have to wear skin tight fitted clothes, but my t-shirt sleeves shouldn't go past my elbows like it's 2003 all over again.

[@LAPhil-ey1dv]

My man, keeping the texturizer alive.

[@arinic7]

Between 10 to 15 years ago Jamaican dudes in New York were the only ones who rocked skinny jeans and this was way before the celebrities in the hip hop community ever started wearing them. I used to be embarrassed to see my fellow countrymen wearing tight ass pants in Brooklyn

[@MrWARBUCKS24]

Facts the yardies in NYC were definitely on that tight fitted shit early like around 02/03 and they was up on the high end footwear before a lot niggas too

[@elliot2177]

I think it also depends on who you are marketing to and the size of the consumer base.The bigger the consumer base ,the bigger the brand..

[@zumaanandrade3486]

Carhart was made for construction workers but the kids discovered them. basically they are extremely warm. A jacket used to be $60. A overall I think $80. Then the price just went crazy high law supply and demand. Same thing with carpenters Jeans.

[@eagle___empire3175]

I still have boxes of Karl Kani Gear just for memories.

[@MaruTheGreat]

4:18 Mr. Kani mentioned that aren't any other streetwear brands doing business in Japan, what about Billionaire Boys Club (BBC) and Stussy? If I'm not mistaken they have huge followings out there.

[@akidnamecj8325]

The dude who started Supreme, use to work for Stussy

[@aaronbrown8283]

All designers pretty much worked for another company for ex Ralph Lauren worked at Brook Brothers

[@tarrerdome]

Hindsight being what it is: There should have been Iron Clad Non-Compete/Non-Disclosure: Proprietary Information Contracts signed so that if any other company profits in any way Mr Kani gets a percentage of said profits on into perpetuity.

[@Sevenizm]

Now we know. (We know now!)