By Jenna Black
The boys at Ksubi have sent rats down a runway and thrown models overboard. So, what possible antics could they get up to at RAFW for 2010?
Background and History
Ksubi is a name instantly recognised amongst the fashion industry. The label represents a youth portal, challenging designs and the pushing of traditional boundaries. Established in 2000 Ksubi quickly became the must-have label for all of your denim essentials. Founders Dan Single and George Gorrow created the label with the idea of producing fashion-forward denim wear for guys and girls that fit properly and introduced a raw denim aesthetic to the market.
Ksubi denim became the hottest fashion need after they debuted in London 2002, with an art installation held underground in an old tube station. The label was quickly recognised as one to challenge the concept of traditional collection showings, and the designers innovative and challenging ideas were received well by critics.
Style and Philosophy
After establishing themselves as the hottest new denim label, Ksubi quickly worked their way into apparel, eyewear and accessories. The fashion conscious youth of the world flocked to the label for their avant-garde designs and tongue-in-cheek approach to popular culture and style. The Ksubi aesthetic is raw and unrefined, as they deliberately distress their fabrics and denim through fraying, fringing and creating holes. The Ksubi look can go from this youth focused grunge appeal, to more tailored pieces in their fashion collections. With designs that float somewhere between unisex and androgynous, Ksubi remains a portal of contemporary youth fashion for those after a signature look.
Other than creating their covetable fashion pieces, Ksubi also focus on the arenas of art and music. Their 5 year anniversary commemorative book showcased the art, passion and fun behind the label and was shown around the globe. Although Ksubi has always been recognised as a youth label with strong cultural and artistic influences, the label has also caused a stir in the media several times for its controversial runway shows and art installations.
Rosemount Australian Fashion Week
In 2001, Ksubi caused the ultimate uproar by sending rats down the runway during their show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Whilst this was their most well known runway prank, the boys have also sent models off the side of a boat and into Sydney Harbour in 2003.
Although the label have caused uproar amongst the more traditional critics in the fashion industry, they have been applauded by many others who realise that ultimately, Ksubi are striving to reinvent the way we view fashion and to push the classical boundaries that are associated with runway shows.
With Rosemount Australian Fashion Week celebrating its’ 15th anniversary this year, the Ksubi boys are back with their off site show that will be the finale to the week. We can expect, like always, to be surprised and entertained with their runway show and cannot wait to see what Ksubi have in store this time around. Ksubi will be showing at RAFW on Friday 7th May 2010.
Visit Ksubi here: www.ksubi.com
Image source: Ksubi website
