Kerwin Frost's Big Day!

The streetwear world, as we know it, is filled with many figures and characters that keep the scene humming in terms of design, cultural relevance, and innovation. Through my years of studying various figures within this particular subculture of fashion, I have always appreciated the paragons of the community who keep it original and breathe new life into an industry that many have yet to experience. One individual who has always kept me on my toes and scratching my head at everything they do is multi-talented artist, designer, and fashion icon Kerwin Frost.

Back last December, our team had the pleasure of seeing Kerwin take the step from being a respected underground tastemaker to becoming a household name through his McNugget Buddies Happy Meal and clothing collection with McDonald’s. Now, I know that we have seen many rappers and artists collaborate with popular fast-food entities such as McDonald’s, yet I would argue that Kerwin’s collection brought back a particular sense of nostalgia. It transported you back to the days of being a kid and rushing to tear open your Happy Meal to add a new limited edition toy to your collection. In a way, this is the x-factor that Kerwin tends to bring to the table in everything he touches. He has made a significant impact in the fashion world through his tenure designing remarkable collections for Adidas. He has also supported community entities, such as the Know Your Rights Camp, by hosting his own telethon. Additionally, he provides behind-the-scenes coverage of important developments in fashion and music. Many people have varying perspectives on his influence in these fields and through this, I hope to tell you a little bit more about the man behind the pencil face tattoo..

I was first introduced to Kerwin through his early beginnings as a DJ and artist in his Spaghetti Boys collective, which he ran alongside fellow artist Ray Martinez in 2013. Spaghetti Boys was a New York based collective of like minded artists, creatives, and tastemakers such as Austin Babitt ( Asspizza) , Luka Sabbat, and Steven Savoca (Father Steve) to name a few. In a way, I looked up to the moves the collective made as a whole; it was refreshing to see how everyone involved was so young and doing their best to make their mark in the fashion space, regardless of the flack and judgment they were prone to receiving. I likened the group to something similar to the Been Trill and Odd Future collectives at the time, where everyone involved was like a member of the Avengers. I mean this in the sense that each person had a certain skill that made the team unique and collectively not to be messed with. Without this early phase of Kerwin's career, my understanding of some of my favorite artists and streetwear brands would be quite limited. The captivating trends that were introduced by the Spaghetti Boys collective had truly expanded my perspective and expectations as to what was possible from a creatively like minded team.

As a writer and journalist, I constantly seek inspiration and guidance from my mentors, whether it’s diving into Nardwuar interviews or revisiting classic No Jumper clips. Their work ethic and creativity motivate me to elevate my craft and Kerwin has been one of those motivating figures. Kerwin’s talk show and media platform has always been my go-to for behind-the-scenes content and interviews with prominent figures within the fashion and music echelons. What I have always appreciated about Kerwin’s approach to his interviews is the way he keeps the dialogue natural rather than structured with predetermined questions. Even if some of his questions appear specific, the way he presents them creates a space for the artist to share their story at their own pace. This approach often leads to unexpected tangents, revealing insights or answers we might not have anticipated. The crop of potential guests that Kerwin showcases on his show also follows this natural aspect, where many of the guests are close friends, collaborators, or personally respected figures within the subculture of interest. Kerwin has featured guests like Chief Keef, SZA, Mac DeMarco, Tremaine Emory, Tyler The Creator, and Jeremy Scott, highlighting both underground and popular figures in music, streetwear, and high fashion. Through these conversations, he offers personal insights drawn from his own experiences and the rich history of these artists. Kerwin's presentation of each listening party, artist interview, and video serves as a distinctive timestamp within the broader landscape of fashion, music, and streetwear culture. This approach highlights unique moments that are discernibly unique within the large spider web of media that contributes to how we understand these cultural realms. .

If there’s one thing that never fails to go unrecognized about Kerwin, it’s his out-of-the-box taste in personal style, fashion, and design. In the handful of times that I have run into Kerwin, he is always sporting some of the most outlandish outfits and coveted garments that unapologetically blend fashion norms to create his distinguishable look. Let’s just say seeing Kerwin wearing a large bison hat with horns, an oversized tux jacket, a Rick Owens skirt, and a big ol’ pair of Balenciaga boots is about as normal as it gets when it comes to his look. This distinguishable look of unapologetic originality gracefully reflects in the various collections and products that Kerwin has had a hand in curating. A prime example of this would be through the work he has done with Adidas Originals. Many of Kerwin’s Adidas Originals products, in my opinion, have pushed many boundaries and expectations in terms of design and novelty. Many of the pieces curated through these collections are playful reimaginings of some of Adidas’ staple garments and footwear. This is evident in Kerwin's Superstuffed Adidas Superstar sneaker, released in August 2021. The classic silhouette is reimagined with extra cushioning in every panel, giving the shoe a distinctive puffy and oversized appearance that enhances its versatility. What I appreciate about Kerwin’s clothing collections is the use of irregular fabrics, patterns, and graphics that challenge the way we imagine these staple pieces. For example,  his Mohair Yeti tracksuit set that was released in December 2021. This featured a tracksuit constructed out of long white and blue mohair fabric that, as the name suggests, makes you look like a Yeti. Another creation of his I admire would have to be his "Biz Casual" Adidas tracksuit set that was released as a part of his Spring/Summer 2022 collection. This is a very fun piece that reminds me of the old tuxedo t-shirts I would see kids wear in grade school, except this tracksuit takes this idea to the next level with a split design down the middle. One half of the garment is a traditional gray tracksuit and the opposite half is constructed to look like a two-piece suit. Kerwin’s ability to build a world and theme behind his collections is at a level that I have yet to see any other creative replicate to such a degree. Many of us would look at these collections and think, “Who would approve this?” or “How would I wear this with an outfit?” Yet I would argue that this is the subliminal challenge that Kerwin puts before us through these collections. Putting together an outfit is supposed to be fun and intrinsically fulfilling. Nowadays, in a world where fashion is taken so seriously and filled with so many different aesthetics and trends, sometimes the best joy is to break from the norm and just put on what feels right rather than what feels accepted. In a way, this also challenges us by instilling curiosity and exploration of one's own confidence in their personal fashion. It can take a lot for someone to lean into a look or aesthetic they are trying to portray. I've always appreciated garments from artists and designers alike, including Kerwin, that stand out like a sore thumb in the best way. The kind of garment that makes people stop in their tracks and think, “What the hell was that guy wearing?”

 To see the accolades, impact, and recognition that Kerwin has garnered throughout his career thus far has been inspiring to watch develop within the creative echelons in which he operates. From his humble beginnings as a part of the Spaghetti Boys collective, to his journalistic accolades as a reporter and talk show personality, to his refreshingly playful outlook on fashion being curated through companies such as Adidas and Complex, not to mention the path Kerwin has paved for himself as a motivational reminder to any young artist, designer, or creative alike that if Kerwin can, anyone can—and that's true.