Karl Kani on How He Launched His Fashion Empire
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2016
- Famed designer Karl Kani spoke to VladTV about his come up in fashion, which started after he had a custom made piece done by his dad's tailor that turned heads in his Brooklyn neighborhood. From there, Karl started getting pieces custom made for the local drug dealers, and after he felt like the next step needed to be made, he moved to L.A. to be closer to the factories that made clothes for brands he was trying to associate with.
His first move was to set up shop in Crenshaw, which didn't end well, seeing as how the shop was robbed of everything from the sewing machines to the actual clothing goods. Karl bounced back by selling his clothes mail order, and he later partnered with Cross Colours founder Carl Jones in a 50/50 partnership.
Check out more of what Karl had to say about his come up, including the hard business lessons he had to learn along the way in the above clip. 
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Karl Kani is super chill...
Yeah, he's been one of my idols for a long time
they definitely need to do a movie on this man
KontryBoy706 fresh dressed is a movie about this on netflix
TVOne should do some type of Unsung show on him.
@@CrowdPleeza I agree
More like bring his fashion line back
I wish this interview was longer. I want to hear firsthand all the intricate details of starting a business. The highs and lows. Great interview!
Karl Kani is a hip hop fashion legend. He was the first black guy I remember owning his own clothing company. Everybody in the 90's was rockin his clothes. If it wasn't for him there would be no Roc a wear, Sean John... Etc in the 2000's. Much Respect
I don't understand how come all the black clothing brands go out of style but Polo, Timmy Hilfiger, ect.. exist for over 30 years?
+Krucial Y.G.N. black brands bank on hip hop too much and the hotness of artist so once a person is considered played out there goes the company personally I was never a fan of rappers clothing lines because I didn't like the quality of the material Sean John might've had the best quality but at the end of the day ppl gonna buy what they wanna buy
Craig Beal I am from a small town in PA that is close to Delaware so the Hip Hop gear was hard to come by. And I always wanted Karl Kanai. The only place near that had any was a store called the Coda at the Christiana Mall and they only had one style of shirt so I bought it for a good price. This was in 97 or 98. But I wanted it for many years prior. I should of went to Philly but I did not think I was able to get there.
Krucial Y.G.N. It amazes me how un supportive black people are. Jews never do this each other! Oh well we both sound like a broken record.
So basically rappers made urban wear popular then made it unpopular. I can remember when Mecca, Avirex Kanai, FUBU and ect... were popping. Dam rappers don't even support urban style any more what the heck!
I saw on VICE that people from the Congo are making their own clothes and they're making fly gear.
+Krucial Y.G.N. I understand u gotta start somewhere but those rappers that were starting clothing lines weren't doing it outta their moms basement now if it's a young designer in the hood just starting out then I can understand the lack of quality but when a nigga like Jay that talked all that fly Versace shit years come wit subpar quality material in the same price range as polo I'm gonna rock with polo. When Fubu was selling corny ass platinum Fubu jeans for 110 -120 I was buying 2 pairs of polo jeans for the price of 1 it's not black or white thing it's a green thing with me.
+Krucial Y.G.N. Kanye is trying to compete with Louie and Gucci he said himself he's too big to start out with t-shirts and on top of it that shit he's putting out is corny to me and the nigga was mad cause he didn't get a job at Gucci so u talking about support a black man that cried cause he couldn't work for a white man fuck Kanye. Rappers get subpar quality cause they wasn't really in it for the fashion it was just another way to make money some even be partnered with white brands (Gunit Marc Ecko) that first wave of urban designer had good quality but by the late 90's a lot of their style got corny
i still have my karl kani sweater with the metal embossed plaque on the front which I got back in 93
"I prayed about it and asked my mother" I LOVE IT!!!
karl kani has a dope story!
Black males 25-55... U can never tell what their true ages are
Dude looks 50. No where near 25
He was 21 years Old 👏👏👏👏
Black Man on a LEGAL GRIND 👊
LEGENDARY !!!
Supported by His People ✊
Mc Lyte , Big Daddy Kane , Heavy D !!!
On MTV📺✌️🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼
Patrick Black right!
🤦
DAMN MAN....Do i miss Hip hop based brands. Fubu, Johnny Blaze, Karl Kani, Enyce, Cross Colors, Roca Wear, even SouthPole had some hip hop to it. Thats ome thing hip hop is missing, When people ask me why i love 90s hip hop culture so much, i give the reasom that we use to have hella brands that kept us fitted. By the way. just becuse Gucci amd Versace are mentiones in the music now..doeasnt meant there hip hop bases brands. The white man just making money from us spending $200 on a gucci belt.
Amen
***** Church!!!!
Didn't Busta Rhymes have a clothing line back in the 90's?
hey nick wat about major damage n boss
Jeff Nelson I never wore either of those lol
Phenomenal interview.
thank you - I really enjoyed doing it
Hey Vlad, interview Fonzworth Bentley. That nigga hiding something..
lol
For real. Vlad been getting some outstanding interviews in 2016
+John Bennett fonzworth 😂😂😂
Dope interview. i remember as a kid i couldn't afford Karl Kani nor Cross Colors. lol
Pason Jayne YOUR MOTHER would be disappointed in your language.
lmao.True story.Had to grab the bootleg shit
+Pason Jayne Your mother.
+Oswald Bates trust me... she's disappointed either way..
+Pason Jayne lmao.. so your gay and got toilet paper in other words
karl kani still looking like AZ and Stevie J cousin
😁😍
They really do look alike 😅
I do see the Stevie J in him.
Straight up
OMG why did i JUST say that to myself. Like literally he looks JUST like them 2 mixed together.. get out of my head. Or maybe it's the other way around... Lol
Legendary Sweatsuits ... New York use to be on it ... I recently ordered some sweatsuit joggers off The Karl Kani website ... Great interview , Respect
Karl Kani, Phat Farm, Fubu. Dope Hip Hop Styles
yea but they laugh at you now for wearing it :(
fuck em, wear what u want
Varsity, Mecca Jeans, Triple 5 Soul
i fuck with mid 90s mecca line and early 90s kani. they had some dope pieces, not a big fan of fubu, but when it first came out it was aight, not so much into early 00s fubu
+Jamal Orange not true. people in the fashion industry still wear it sometimes. fuck people who judge anyways
Respect to a real Brooklyn Legend!
More videos from the people like Karl kani, their stories NEED to be heard. Thank you
THIS interview held my attention the entire time. Excellent.
Its crazy you really don't see a lot of urban fashion like it used to be
Yeah. It's been reformed into skinny jeans and graphic tees
No money in it either since it's easier to make clothing. After the recession, most of them closed
+Chris Lang It was kinda crazy to see how much money urban clothing brands were making too
same thing I been saying...
that's what Kanye be mad about ....but they said he just bitching....
Man, I can listen to stories like this all day. Very inspirational message
This is one of favorite interview series. Tons of gems. Thank you Vlad!
He seems like a a cool man...down to earth, doesn't pretend or articulates the hood personality
Karl Kani sweat pants, tee shirts, jeans and valour outfits were my favorites from back in the day!!!!!!
I still got a few kani shirts, played out to some people but the style still holds up to me
Cause Kani is raw af
One of the better interviews you've had in a while Vlad. Hope there's a part to this. Do more interviews like this.
This is a great interview. I REALLY enjoyed this. Wonderful to hear the back stories of what made the 90's the 90's.
I had a lot of cross colors and kani gear. I remember buying my first Kani shirt in Atlanta. Wore it to school the next day and all my friends were jealous. "Where the hell did you get that?!!" You didn't see it in our small town until after Pac was in Kani all the time and Merry go round moved in the mall. Never realize he and AZ were friends. Was a huge AZ fan too. "Techniques speaks, Im rather unique."
Great backdrop to how his brand began. Real humble guy. Respect!
Great job on this one Vlad. I used to rock Kani back in the day. Seeing&hearing him brings back many memories.
Tupac had on Karl Kani gear all the time. I was so Lovin the Tupac gear in the Movie Above the Rim where him and his Brother were at their Mama Grave. I still have plenty of gear from Karl Kani from back in the day!😍😍😘😘
Tupac was the first person I seen wearing Karl Kani.
+Tempestt Baggett TRU LOL
+Tugrul Alpaslan Never that you must be real young coming at me like that? SMDH real men don't come at Women like that!!
r u black cuz u r cute
+quan Brooklyn kid Thank You I will take that to my heart and not my head. Yes I am Black.
Sad that WE have made the unappreciative companies, agencies, and people WEALTHY!!!
these are the interviews with people's stories that inspire me to keep grinding. more like it.
Vlad, I watch a lot of your interviews. I like how you get people to open up and tell their story. With you, it's not so much Q & A. It's more like a conversation. This is another great one and came right on time with what I'm doing with my business. Thx bro
Kani Boots were pretty cool..this dude is/was my clothing designer Idol
Vlad, I loved this interview and I hopes there's more to come soon. It's so nice to learn how this fashion brand got started from the man himself.
Mad props for this vlad. Please put out the whole thing!
I found a vintage Karl Kani denim jacket at a thrift store, never heard of this brand, so I’m happy this interview reposted.
Got a pair of Karl Kani boots off of the website yesterday. Good to know Karl is still doin'it!
One of the best interviews Ive seen from Vlad. I'm one of your toughest critics sometimes but props on this one man.
My first experience of Karl Kani clothing was by a dude that came into the barbershop in Florida around 1992. I was 10 and my mom was there. He was selling a lot of clothes and I liked this orange and black KK cap. I didn't know the brand but the design was legit. Cut to...the jeans and jackets blew up in my city later that year. He put in some work. Made that brand go.
Everybody where I'm from in Florida was wearing it. What part of Florida were you in?
hell yeah! I rocked kani as a youngin too....homestead,fl
305boomerang damn you all the way down the coast. I'm from Eustis. Were you there for hurricane Andrew?
+Shmalbert Fleinstein yup yup,I remember running behind the soldiers who were giving out water, food and toys...shit,that statement just sounded like I was in third world country lol
305boomerang damn that's crazy. Andrew did leave some of south Florida looking like a 3rd world country tho. I was lucky cause we didn't catch the eye of the storm. Florida all day
I need a part 2 for legendary Karl Kani.
Bought his clothing for both of my sons back then!
Dope dude and dope ass legendary brand, Karl Kani broke through Portugal this year. Comeback incoming 🙏🏾🔥
Amazing to hear the story of how this amazing brand started
solid interview vlad
thanks
2019 RIP PAC was one of the first who used to wear his clothing line in his videos
Love the interview and clarity of it!!!!!!!
One of the best interviews this year
this breh gets the best people to interview man
thank you
like Slim Jesus
since you doing back in the day i need you to interview, Tyrin Turner, maia Campbell & Reagan preston gomez (zaria from parenthood)
+ken2388 The Girl from Parent Hood is from Detroit she is mad cool on the two other people there are plenty of interview on here with them just look for it.
i don`t think vlad interviewed her yet, i had a hugh crush on her as a kid lol
I loved wearing his clothes back in the 90'z.... #MuchRespect..
Awesome interview... Both compelling and inspiring, (smart) hard work nearly always produces success.
man as a designer my self. I've always looked up to this guy.
Him and AZ are said to be best friends and looking at him and hearing him talk I'd think that they were brothers!
Afro -Caribbean Latinos! Lol
was just coming here to say, you wouldve thought they were twins. Thats my favorite rapper
ArC Live In terms of pure talent AZ is up there with Nas, Jay, Rae, Big or whomever. Def one of my favs! #QuietMoney
John Quincy Astor Now, I'm thinking...ironically, I think he's referring to another AZ from ENY named AZ Johnson . Still AZ is legend imo
+king esseen he's not Latino they dropped slaves off on them islands just like they did with America
Very nice interview Vlad! Can't wait to see the next part.
I always loved his Clothes. My brother use to purchase his clothes.Great Interview
I wore a lot of Karl Kani as a kid growing up... But only bc we was poor... n my mom always took us shoppin at Value city and they always had tons of Karl Kani shit but I gotta say we made it work.. not a lot of people here in Chicago was real hip to Kani and it kept me fly as a youngin... Ive come a long way and can afford whatever I want now... But watching this brought up a lot of those memories... Shit makes me wanna go on his website n buy a shirt or something.... lol..... ma dukes made miracles... Thanks for keeping a young sicilian kid fly when his family didnt have no money....big ups
man i wish value city dept. was still around. Best urban store ever
I bought Karl Kani t-shirt 15 years ago, its still in the same condition when i bought it. The quality of Karl Kani is amazing
dope interview! Karl Kani the Truth
Yet another great one. Keep them coming Vlad.
Best Vlad interview I've seen. Thanks man.
Big inspiration right here 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you for this video, Vlad. Thank you for your contribution to the culture and to the both of you for this info.
i remember karl kani came and went so fast it seemed. only one of my friends could afford one of his shirts. we always had only one time of the year where we could buy new clothes and by the time i was looking for his stuff nobody was carrying it anywhere in our city anymore. they were nice shirts
funny they mentioned az they kinda look alike
Now, I'm thinking...ironically, I think he's referring to another AZ from ENY named AZ Johnson
Funny thing I think AZ is Panamanian or Costa Rican as well.
dominican
+ⒷⒶⓃⒼ|ⒷⒶⓃⒼ Dominican
He looks like Stevie J and Barbosa in one entity
Viva Panama aaaayyyyy! Loved the interview, very inspiring :)
Great interview .
After seeing FOR US BY US ( FUBU) interviewed on VLAD TV - THOUGHT I Do the same with Karn Kani as well - Much respect to our urban designers!!
Very informative! I remember my Karl Kani outfit!
great strory karl kani is a legend in hip hop culture....
Great story, reminds me FUBU with Daymond John, you could probably interview him too; GREAT KARL KANI STORY!!! WONDERFUL!!!
The legendary black fashion designer. This video should have zero dislikes
Very inspiring come up story. 🙌🏽
Dope interview!
Awesome interview.
His brown boots with the buckle were the best I've ever worn!!!! 1996, I was taking my girl to work at 6am; It rained all night and I ended up driving into some flood water; I had to put her on my shoulders to walk us out; the water was to my chest; I had on my Karl Kani boots!!!! Even though we survived; my Karl Kani boots died!!!! Life took over and I never got another pair. This was one of the worst floods in the history of the city!!!!!
Major Legend Alert! My whole damn middle school wardrobe through the years was Kani. Had to shovel snow to get the paper but I was clean as hell 👌🏾❄️ And not the snow that falls from the sky 😂 "Powderrrr" *Troy Ave voice*
Great Stories with Great Info!! Good One Vlad!!
Great story. Great interview.
Cross Colours Karl Kani and Walker Wear are the pioneers of hip hop urban fashion brands!
+Pieces of Vinyl An old school urban brand mad rappers used to wear!
+Pieces of Vinyl Walker Wear was a brand from Brooklyn Pac use to wear it too wore it in Above the rim
+Pieces of Vinyl damn where was u in the early 90's the designer April Walker had a store over by Clinton or Vanderbilt ave she did trunks for Mike Tyson Pac wore her shit in above the rim and I think she relaunched a few years ago
Best one yet
Amazing video.
I had a shirt of his for years! I was working in a juice bar in Hollywood and Karl walks in! I grab the shirt from the back and he signed it! He was like wow this is one of my classic joints! 😂
Dope interview.
Great interview
Beautiful story of a young entrepreneur.
great interview
DJVLAD,, you have the best interviews,,,,keep up the good work,,,,
Thanks Vlad for this one.
This lifestory interviews are the best.
And bring Daylt back pleas, this guy is comedy
great interview. hiphop history
I use to sport Karl Kani, Cross Colous and UMEN clothing back in the mid 90s
dam. good shit, i need the next one
I had a few Karl Kani pieces as a child. I thought I was the dopest dude on the block. I would love to see the clothing line come back.
dope interview
Oooh, I didn't know that he was a suramericano. Go 'head, Karl. I owned one Karl Kani sweater in middle school. You couldn't tell me nothin'! I was so cute. I enjoyed learnin' about yo' history, Karl. Good interview, fellas.
man i remember in middle school rocking Karl Kani. The jeans were good quality and cute.
my favorite gear growing up in the 90s.. karl kani was the shit back in the day...
Lees, devil jeans, mcm, skid pants, troop, todd1, nylon sweat suits, Bvds, kangol, British walkers, travel fox, ballys, bumpers and wallies, Sergio valente, starter nba jackets, wool ridge wool big polo jackets, triple fat gooses, sheep dogs with the hat and cazelles, mock necks. We need that 90's era back!!!
I was rocking Karl Kani t-shirt back in 2002 to support a black business. Now I'm 42 year old and I want to buy some more Karl Kani along with dashikis.
Nice interview Vlad and Karl.
karl kani, guess and cross colors all I rocked
great interview Vlad!