Tag Archives: KTZ

Keeping up with Khalifa

Photo: Eleven Paris.

Wiz Khalifa appears to be having the best summer ever. The heavily-tatted Atlantic Records rapper is bringing in record numbers as the headliner in the third installment of his ‘Under the Influence of Music’ tour, his name continues to be mentioned in conversations of personal style and hip-hop, and each week seems to bring on a new leaked track from the five-time Grammy nominee’s highly-anticipated album Blacc Hollywood—which officially drops today. “I wouldn’t say that the album is different [from previous releases] because I always like to make consistent music,” Khalifa explains over the phone from his tour’s kick-off city of Scranton, Pennsylvania. “It’s just this time I expanded my mind and capabilities by working with different writers such as Rico Love and Detail.”

Photo: Miko Lim.

And the musician is no stranger to having to expand his mind, having grown up only miles away in the rough inner-city neighborhoods of Pittsburg. “[It] was a rough place. There weren’t too many opportunities,” he says. “We didn’t have many celebrities that we could look up to… all my inspiration musically and creatively came from outside the city.” It was across-the-country influencers like West coast rapper Snoop Dogg, as well as Ohio-based hip-hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony that Khalifa credits for helping to shape his childhood and desire to rap. Now with his fifth studio album finally available today, Khalifa is not only conquering the music world and leading the ever-expanding Pittsburgh rap movement, but he has also become quite a key-player in fashion. Collaborations ranging from a capsule collection from his own entertainment label, Taylor Gang, with the lifestyle clothing brand Neff, a customized footwear collection for Converse, and—most recently—a venture with edgy-French-label Eleven Paris have successfully married the worlds of hip-hop and couture.

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I’m inspired by people who are free, who have fun and do new things.

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“The Eleven Paris collaboration was a really cool thing to be a part of because of how cool the brand is,” Khalifa explains. “They have done collabs with Lil Wayne and Obama, and said mine was the most popular. So when it came to the new line, they got me and Kate Moss and shot it with Terry Richardson in Paris and it came out to be dope,” the rapper continues. “I see people wearing the clothes all the time and it’s really a good look for me.” Perhaps it’s Khalifa’s trend-setting style and gravitation towards fashion forward labels like KTZ and Brian Lichtenberg that has caused the fashion world to come knocking. “I’m inspired by people who are free, who have fun and do new things,” Khalifa says. “Whether it’s someone from the past—like Marvin Gaye or rock and roll icons like Kurt Cobain—I take little pieces of personalities that are similar to me and express them through my clothes, movements, and visuals.”

Photo: Miko Lim.

It’s Khalifa’s gritty and electrifying form of self-expression—undoubtedly fueled by his love for a particular mood altering substance—that keeps his fans jamming out to his stoner-life infused music. Although the rapper has gained popularity for being candid about his marijuana use (he has his own strain and sponsorship), more importantly, it is his ability to make music you can’t help but nod your head to that will surely keep Khalifa in constant playlist rotation.

NYFW: Reviewing KYE AW14

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Image: KYE.

While the Japanese have long-retained the proprietorship over streetwear and sports-inspired fashion, an interesting thing has happened in the last few years in the asian market: South Korea kind of got hood. Blame it on the influx of American sports brands (Jeremy Scott, adidas, Hood By Air), the rise in Korea’s per-capita income, and the celebrity of bad girl K-pop bands like 2NE1, but there’s a new wave of designers writing and re-writing the words of fresh threads. Seoul-born designer, Kathleen Kye, is no exception and, in fact, one of the leaders of this movement. With a focus on youth culture and eye-catching, non-traditional prints her designs utilize the boldness of the Korean New Wave and conceptual risks of London. Last night, under her own label, KYE, the designer showed her Autumn/Winter 2014 collection: a mix of RTW and men’s for her fourth season at NYFW to an intimate crowd at Industria Studios. While the girls donned Miley-appropriate-lengthed outfits with long bell sleeves and bare midriffs—a silhouette Kye has been developing over the past few seasons—it was the guys that had all our attention—and rightly so. Covered in layers—be they leather pants over below-the-knee jogging shorts—angle plans of gradients, or deep emerald fur jackets, each look was perfect in itself. As an editor beside us muttered in amazement each guy had “total look.” Ready for purchase, no extra styling needed.

Image: KYE.

LCM: Reviewing KTZ AW14

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Climbing at haute altitudes, the cool-as-ice collection from KTZ gave us the same level of eccentricity we’ve come to expect from the Japanese brand.

Models showed faces painted grey with harsh angular contouring and wore only blacks and whites with touches of metallic. It was an army of Himalayan snow storm warriors, as if a movie from a colorless television screen with a sharp focus.

On the heads of the KTZ men were geometric headpieces hinting at snow googles and Buddhist-inspired turbans in metallic and fur. Jewelry was also worn over garments, with silver necklaces with intricate details and pointed tribal earrings. Quilted biker jackets made several appearances beside carry-on bags, both elements of protection. Layering was also key, with long fur coats worn over other coats and shirts with high niece lines. The hostility came through during the final line up, though, as models walked out and stood in perfectly organised formation. They were un-human and able to survive the harshest conditions.

Images courtesy of KTZ.

Our Ten Favorite Linda Farrow Designer Sunglasses

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Designer sunglasses are a dime a dozen. Unfortunately their prices are not. And worse, they’re usually not creatively-affiliated with the fashion houses whose names are glossily embellished into the sides of each frame (licensing deals!!!). There is, however, one brand that has managed to maintain the integrity of its own label, as well as push innovative collaborations with an editorial elite deck of designers including: Jeremy Scott, Oscar de le Renta, and KRISVANASSCHE.

Linda Farrow was founded in 1970 as a luxury eyewear brand in London. After a few years of early success, Farrow—a RTW designer, turned sunglass-producer—put the brand on pause to focus on her young family. In 2003 Simon Jablon, Farrow’s son, and Tracy Sedino re-launched the brand, and today, Linda Farrow 2.0 observes its ten year anniversary. To celebrate this passing, the label has teamed up with fashion non-profit BOFFO for a New York City pop-up shop and installation at Super Pier, as well as released a special anniversary capsule collection. On our end, we’re enjoying things from the sidelines and paying homage by ~~lusting over~~ reflecting on our most favorite sunnies from the past ten years.

KRISVANASSCHE x Linda Farrow rounded glasses with a double bar detail and key-hole nose-bridge ($540). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Dries Van Noten x Linda Farrow structured low sunglasses with a thick mid-frame and oval-shaped lenses ($371). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
KTZ x Linda Farrow oversized glasses with an accentuated cat eye ($290). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Linda Farrow Luxe white, gold and black aviators with snakeskin inlay and top frame titanium rims ($1,175). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow oversized cross sunglasses with small square lenses ($310). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Veronique Branquinho x Linda Farrow steel aviators with detachable leather side pieces ($380). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Alexander Wang x Linda Farrow aviator-inspired sunglasses with a double bar bridge attached to an acetate brow shield ($429). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
Prabal Gurung x Linda Farrow chunky straight top frame sunglasses with rimmed contrasting details ($419). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
KRISVANASSCHE x Linda Farrow rubberised acetate aviator-styled glasses with a thick bridge ($381). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.
The Row x Linda Farrow signature rounded oversized glasses with a contrasting stainless steel frame ($450). Available for purchase online at LindaFarrow.com.

Images courtesy of Linda Farrow.

For the Guy: Young and Restless

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Attention fashion fuccbois and trend enthusiasts: it’s almost gift giving time IRL, so we’ve compiled a list of #hot ticket items we know you and the homies will love. Read the list below and then get off your computers, throw on a pair of Pyrex, grab a Ginger Bread Latte at SBux (it is the Happy Holidays after all) and get hustling before everything is sold—or worse, played—out.

Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck Sunglasses ($410): Crystal with indigo photochromic glass, these sunnies will have people asking more than just ‘How to Kill a Mockingbird.’ Available for purchase at Oliver Peoples boutiques and select retailers.
Alexander Wang Cap ($150): This structured glazed nylon cap includes a detachable faceguard with black wool fleecing to protect yourself from the wind or just talking to the wrong person. Available for purchase at Alexander Wang boutiques and select retailers.
Shaun Samson Felted Hockey Tunic ($1254): Perfect for the street or hockey field, this sports-inspired, gradient-dyed tunic blends warm wool with cool leather. Available for purchase online at FarFetch.com.
Punk Magazine Metal Salute Pendant ($100): Designed by John Holmstrom of ‘Punk Magazine’ in 2010, this gold pendant keeps your wild streaks close to the heart. Available for purchase online at Boo-Hooray.com.
Wil Fry Raf T-Shirt ($200): Fashion mash-up artist Wil Fry brings Style.com to menswear with the best of Raf Simons on Polyester and Spandex. Available for purchase at VFILES’ boutique and online at VFILES.com.
Adidas Slvr Low Tops ($150): These soft leather, techno fabric low-tops are a futuristic blast of blood orange for your feet. Available for purchase at select Adidas Slvr retailers and online at Adidas.com.
KTZ Church Embroidered Back Pack ($323): This black and white cotton embroidered bag features classic theologic imagery to keep your possessions nice and safe. Available for purchase at KTZ retailers and online at KokonToZai.com.
The Simpsons x Kid Robot Zombie Bart ($74): Tell your co-workers off every day ("yeah, well you can eat my living dead shorts!") with this 6 inch limited edition zombie version of Bart Simpson. Available for purchase at Colette.fr.
Katie Eary Printed Skateboard ($443): Ride in style with this snakeskin printed Canadian maple, high-concave deck, just don’t get too distracted by the pattern. Available for purchase online at HarveyNichols.com.
Supreme x Kumba Virgin Mary Candle ($48): Bless your house with this limited edition holy scent, which features notes of citrus, basil, lemon, and more. Available for purchase at Supreme retailers and online at SupremeNewYork.com.
Bernhard Willhelm Lace Up Trainers ($301): These 100% leather trainers with contrast deep-blue suede paneling takes Bernhard Willhelm’s iconic rounded footwear to another, oceanic dimension. Available for purchase at select Bernhard Willhelm retailers and online at BernhardWillhelmShop.com.
Y-3 TPU Coat ($368): A rainy day is no longer a bad thing with this sheer raincoat with peeks of neon trim, tie cords, and a matte rubber finish. Available for purchase at Y-3 boutiques and online at Y-3.com.
Jeremy Scott Roll Neck Sweater ($395): This long-sleeve knit sweater is an ode to suffering teenage angst, with the words “TOO WEIRD TO LIVE TOO RARE TO DIE” sprawled on the front and back in green neon text. Available for purchase online at JeremyScott.com.
Kenzo Navy Blue Tiger Print Socks ($21): Out of the jungle and onto your feet, these tiger print woven socks are just as stretchy as they are ferocious. Available for purchase online at SSense.com.
M.I.A. x Versus Versace Printed Denim Jeans ($425): Recording artist M.I.A. gave the golden touch to these mid-rise, straight leg denim jeans, covering every inch in a rich ethic print and exciting electro urban theme. Available for purchase online at Versace.com.

To alleviate some of the stress of holiday shopping—or even just to help kill time at work, For The Guy is a new weekly column where we’ll be sharing our most favorite gift ideas for every possible guy you know. With products ranging from designer ready-to-wear to high-tech ready-to-plug-in devices, we hope you and your love ones enjoy these as much as we know we will! Hint, hint.

Images courtesy of their respective brands.