If it wasn't Versace, Moschino or Chanel it was too Karl Kani

tancheli
Feb 2, 2019
2 min read

Updated: Feb 6, 2019

Carl Williams is his name (gentleman in white). Founder and CEO of hip-hop fashion brand Karl Kani. Brooklyn born Carl took his first orders from his car to then become a hit designer in the 90s for mostly Hip-Hop and R&B artists: Lil Kim, Nas, Aaliyah, Tupac, Biggie, Wu-tan etc.

"The d*ck size in these Karl Kani Jeans" Biggie - One More Chance

Having never stuided tailoring nor design, this visionary had something up his sleeve to come up with unique and unsual cocepts that were nowhere to be found. This contributed to bold colours and the baggy jeans concept in which dominated Hip-Hop style.

"Garcia Vegas cigars, Kani sh*t, Mad Jiggy" Nas - Nas Is Coming

With legally changing his name to Karl Kani, his signature became an asset to the clothing he designed. Sporting his clothing that nobody had in local clubs, friends and strangers took notice of his unique threads - later Kani started taking orders.

With opening his store in 1989 in LA Hollywood, Kani became th first fashion industry to employ all black sales forces, business then boomed. He became one of the richests blacks in America in 1996 and the first designer to host a fashion show at The White House in Bill Clinton's term.

Now solely apart of an billion dollar industry, Karl Kani's design and imprints is embedded in Hip-Hop music from many artists, quoting himself and the style.

"In a blue hat, with a black baggy Karl Kani" Nelly - Steal The Show

For the auidence of today Karl Kani is still in fashion for those that are still in touch with the 90s style and to make it even better, he has collaborated with Pretty Little Thing a popular online fashion retailer worldwide. In 2018 the two fashion eras collided, the first launch included Teyana Taylor as the celebrity face, bringing it back to Harlem representing Karl Kani's place of Urban fashion. Sticking to the 90s legacy it paid homage to the styles in which Karl Kani had infused in the Hip-Hop scene, as seen in the pieces in which Teyana wears.

I too brought some of these pieces in which my mum recognised who I was wearing, thats how I knew my mum was in the game back in the 90s. This success has continued as they refreshed with a sequel earlier this year targeting men featuring unisex styles both relaxed, fitted styles as well as accessories such as bucket Hats, socks and side bags.