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Think Runway, Shop Beltway: Kickballers

Friday, June 22, 2007

Shirt from Swedish brand WESC, MEK Jeans.

Sorry I couldn’t get this up yesterday….

So, Kickballers and I got to talking right after they saw that I had posted this. After talking to those kids that day and then hearing what partner Neran had to tell me about his soon-to-open M Street store (former Smash! space, dangerously close to Annie Creamcheese), I was eager to know more about streetwear clothes. Really, streetwear is a huge market that deserves major industry props—for its cusumers’ buying power alone. It’s a whole segment within the industry with a highly coveted demographic as its customers: young dudes. And if you can crack what it is that young guys want (sex? intricately detailed custom skateboards?–why, yes!) and not just sell it to them but create a whole “lifestyle” around it’s products, then you are a Golden God.

Can you tell I studied PR…?

Beyond that though, the clothing is inventive and everything is art-based and has this playful mood; so much so that toys have become a big part of the genre, and I can love any style of clothing that embraces toys. I could also love a company that embraces naps. Below: a bunch of looks from Kickballers, a Q&A with Carlo, one of the partners, and me trying to look like a badass.

Marc Ecko Cut & Sew shirt, MEK Jeans

Triple Five Soul shirt and Freshjive shorts. Conceived 1989 as a humble storefront on New York’s Lower East side, the name comes from a tongue-in-cheek reference to one of the then-popular telephone party lines. They quickly became a focal point for streetwear movement (perhaps like Vivienne Westwood’s King’s Road shop for the punk movement?).

Vivid Braille shirt . Carlo likes these for “going out shirts.”

Bijules “Icepick” chain by New York based designer Jules Kim. Her designs are inspired by Japanese martial arts. The hat is from Kangol, a company that collaborates with artists to produce limited collections. This one is by London based artist Insa, who has an extensive history of graffiti painting. His most recognized work, “Grafitti Fetish” uses the image of a high heel as recurring motif.

Shut shirt and Mek Denim. Shut is the legendary and original New York City skateboard company. Shut skateboards has always had a presence in the DC skate scene with local legends being involved with the company in various ways. Thsi shirt is a collaboration with the artist KRINK.

Explain the Kickballers concept.

The concept behind Kickballers falls in line with the fact that we are adults who are kids at heart. The shop is a representation of our various passions that we grew up with. Kickball is a kid’s game and the shop represents how we grew up and the things we loved and admired as kids. Although we are older now, we refuse to give up the things we grew up doing that have helped shape who we are today. We are not just a streetwear shop, or just a skateboard shop. Or just a toy shop – Kickballers is lifestyle store – it’s the lifestyle we have been living as artists, skateboarders, DJs ,designers, dancers and promoters. Our shop is geared toward independent spirited and creative minded individuals. Kickballers is about having fun living life and at the same time not taking yourself too seriously.

How does that translate into the store design?
The store itself is an adult playground. The concrete floors, concrete benches and ramps are outside elements thus enhancing that playground feel and our intimate connection to street/metro arts culture via skateboarding and the simple act of wearing sneakers every day. The lines and angles in our layout help convey a sense of movement. Together, with our interior designer, Amanda Hertzler, we really sought to convey our brand in our retail space.

How has streetwear evolved, and what does that mean anyway?

Streetwear has seemed to evolve to a point where it is now a global phenomenon that helps represent a sense of independence and culture that has been “underground” for so long. Streetwear can be considered a hybrid of many independent spirited scenes that have now found a common ground in the fact that it represents creativity and independence. Streetwear has been in existence foe along time, it just has a name now.

It seems that partnerships between sneaker companies and artists are de riguer. How did that start & why is that important/interesting?

We believe that the prevalence of chain stores and oversaturation of fad styles creates a disconnection between the creative individual and the shopping experience. This is why you see things like graffiti art and hip hop or electronic music in “mainstream” outlets like TV ads and clothing campaigns. Companies are attempting to bridge these gaps by collaborating with cutting-edge artists/designers whose work is not restricted by the usual social norms. Everyone wants to be different or at least feel comfortable in their need to express themselves freely, whether it be through fashion, art or skateboarding. Many companies hope to tap into the next big thing by working with artists that may be the next trendsetters. However – what we like is that many companies engage in these collaborative projects simply for the love. They do it just to give back to a culture that they feel has given them so much in return.

What’s the deal with the toys?

The design toy scene is a movement in itself. Many artists from both the skateboarding and sneaker communities participate in toy projects that range from simple one-off collaborations to full-fledged toy lines. These are not really “toys” that one could get a department store – many of these items are limited edition pieces made by artists and designers – and have a high level of collectability. We feel that these toys are more art than anything else.

Music you’re into right now?

We listen to all kinds of music here at the store. Many of us are djs and collect records. Everything ranging from latin beats to jazz, reggae, hip hop , electronic music and beyond.

Define “stylish.”
To us stylish is really about just being yourself.

**p.s. Kickballers does have women’s stuff too, including a T-shirt of a Betty Page-esque woman astride a huge cassette tape. THAT I REALLY WANT.

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