Karl Kani is the fashion designer, founder and CEO of the Hip Hop fashion brand Karl Kani. Karl Kani was launched in 1989 as a fashion forward and Hip Hop influenced clothing line. Inspired by his passion for Hip hop

Hip hop

Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...

 music and fashion, Karl designed clothes that appealed to a large public, including friends and celebrities from his hometown Brooklyn, New York.

History

At age 16, Carl Williams started designing clothes after learning the essential handcraft at his father's company. Karl never studied tailoring or design, but he had flair for coming up with unusual, stylish concepts. He would buy material and tell a tailor exactly how he wanted his garments to look. "For a relatively small sum", as he put it, "I had a fresh outfit that nobody had."

Karl's customized outfits were so "fresh" that soon they were in demand. After seeing him on the scene in local clubs, men started asking for a Carl Williams' outfit of their own. Soon Karl was taking his first orders in his car. The death of one of his close friends inspired some deep contemplation. "It made me think about life differently", he added " I thought I should really do something positive."

In 1989 Karl headed to Los Angeles where he and a good friend opened a clothing shop on Crenshaw Boulevard. They made no profit at this location and after the shop was robbed, they moved to Hollywood where Karl started selling catalogs for $2 that he and his partner had put together. They only made profit off the catalog sales and didn't actually sell any clothes. He decided to take out an advertisement in Right On!Magazine but even that didn't help jumpstart sales.

Karl Kani the success

After watching 'The Today Show

The Today Show

Today is an iconic American morning news and talk show airing every morning on NBC. Debuting on January 14, 1952, it was the first of its genre on American television and in the world. The show is also the fourth-longest running American television series...

' Karl had an idea. He paid a friend in New York to make a sign with his label's name on it and hold it up during the taping of the show. The idea worked. People started calling and orders began to come in.

Upon his arrival in California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 he knew that he had to put a foot in an established fashion corporation before trying to establish his own sole proprietorship. When Karl met Carl Jones in 1990, co-founder of Threads 4 Life Corp, during a Cross Colours

Cross Colours

Cross Colours is a clothing brand launched in 1989 by Carl Jones. Launched on the premise of producing “clothes without prejudices” Cross Colours helped establish a fashion market based around black youth...

 fashion show, Karl saw his chance. The partnership with Carl Jones lasted 2 years.

Karl's stylistic innovations were successful. In addition to working with a mainstream color selection he modified the baggy pants that became the basis of street fashion. According to Karl black people never liked tight fitting jeans. They would always buy a bigger size but then the waist would be too big, therefore Karl decided to increase the pant size.

In 1994, Karl $500,000 in profits to launch his company Karl Kani Infinity. In addition to his old partners, Kani now faced a marketing onslaught from hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons

-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...

' Phat Farm and a number of mainstream clothiers. Kani also had reason to worry that his involvement in Cross Colours might taint his operation in the minds of retailers. "I expected some resistance," Kani himself averred. "A major turning point for me was when retailers accepted us back into the market."

Karl Kani Big & Tall

The idea for the Big & Tall line came to Kani after numerous conversations with NBA stars, who complained that they could not fit into much of his merchandise. Big and tall people are just as fashion-conscious so Karl launched his line in mid-1995 in Big & Tall stores around the country.

Staying ahead of fashion counterfeiters who aped his signature and sold cheaper versions of his clothes, Karl began fastening a metal-and-leather plate to his product. After some initial resistance from the people who made the plates, Karl Kani decided to go ahead with it and it turned out to be his best-selling jeans ever.

Karl Kani used the metal plate to spread his positive message to others.

"Inspired by the vitality of the streets of Brooklyn New York. Karl Kani, the young African-American designer of Karl Kani Jeans, encourages you to follow your dreams and accomplish your goals. Wear the clothing that represents the knowledge of African-American creativity and determination. Recognize the signature that symbolizes African-American unity and pride... peace, Karl Kani."

A sister brand, Kani Ladies

Kani Ladies

Kani Ladies is a fashion label for young women. It was launched in 2001 as a sister of the popular hip hop brand Karl Kani. Kani Ladies started with a small urban collection next to the men’s collection and was sold in the same stores as Karl Kani...

 was launched in 2001.

Brand name

Carl Williams represents the "American Dream

American Dream

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each...

". Son of a Costa Rican mom and Panamanian dad, Karl comes from a modest family from Brooklyn, New York. Young Karl dreamt of combining his passion for Hip Hop music and fashion. He didn't know how to do that, but he believed in himself.

During Karl's initial rough start in Los Angeles the question that had obsessed him for years, "Can I do it?", remained unanswered. He kept asking himself: "Can I do it? Can I build a fashion empire? Can I become the 'Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...

 of the streets'?" Karl didn't have the answer for all these questions but it did provide the basis for his new name, Kani, a variation on "Can I?". With a stylish "K" replacing the "C" in his first name, he ventured his own optimistic reply, Karl Kani.

The Godfather of Urban fashion

Carl Williams was the first black man to launch a Hip Hop Fashion brand and became one of the 100 richest African-Americans in 1996 according to People Magazine. He created the leopard print knickers and inspired many other to follow into his footsteps. Karl paved the way for many black designers and is the true 'Godfather of Urban Fashion'. This has earned Karl the nickname 'King of Black'.

'The Originator'

Kani is also known as 'The Originator'. Karl was the first to set the trend of merging hip-hop with fashion. He spotted an area in the market that previously was ignored and paved the way for other Hip Hop Fashion brands. Being the first African-American man to launch a Hip Hop Fashion brand, Karl inspired many others to follow in his footsteps. His many achievements earned him the title of the 'Originator'.

The White House

Kani's work didn't remain unnoticed. In 1999 Karl had the honor to present his latest collection at The White House to President Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...

 during an informal fashion show. In 1996 Karl's company was rewarded by Black Enterprise Magazine and in 2002 he received an 'Urban Fashion Award'.

Awards

Kani is known as one of the most influential black designers of urban fashion in the United States. With such acclaimed success Black Enterprise Magazine named Karl Kani-Infinity Corporation the most successful African American owned firms worldwide in 1996. And this was just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2002 Carl was honored with an 'Urban Fashion Pioneer Award' for his lifetime achievements during the Urban Fashion Awards.

Celebrities

Throughout the early 1990s, Karl Kani set the tone for much of urban fashion, especially in the music industry. Wearing Kani clothing became both a symbol of success and a fashion statement. Karl Kani became a well known brand and many known Hip Hop and R&B artists like 2pac, Aaliyah

Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...

, Baby, Cash Money

DJ Cash Money

DJ Cash Money is a Philadelphia-based American turntablist, hip-hop artist, and record producer. He was the first inductee into the DJ Hall of Fame.-Career:...

, Heavy D, Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...

, Lil' Kim

Lil' Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....

, N Sync, Nas

Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...

, Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre

Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...

, Ice T

Ice T

Tracy Marrow , better known by his stage name Ice-T, is an American musician and actor.He was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved to the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles when he was in the 7th grade. After graduating from high school he served in the United States Army for four years...

, P Diddy, Kool G Rap

Kool G Rap

Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew...

, Ed Lover

Ed Lover

James Roberts , better known as Ed Lover, is an African-American rapper, actor, musician, radio personality, and former MTV VJ.-Biography:...

, Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...

, Heavy D, Big Daddy Kane

Big Daddy Kane

Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...

, Pete Rock

Pete Rock

Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...

, CL Smooth

CL Smooth

CL Smooth is an American rapper, poet, and is best known as the vocal half of the hip-hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth....

, Notorious B.I.G., Next

Next (group)

Next is an American R&B musical group, popular during the late 1990s. They are best known for their hit singles "Too Close" and "Wifey".-History:...

, Fatal B(boris), 112

112

Year 112 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Traianus and Cornelius...

, Redman, Tatyana Ali

Tatyana Ali

Tatyana Marisol Ali is an American actress and R&B singer, best known for her childhood role as Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air...

, Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...

, Three 6 Mafia

Three 6 Mafia

Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...

, Tyson Beckford

Tyson Beckford

Tyson Craig Beckford is an American male model and actor, best known as a Ralph Lauren model. He was also the host of both seasons of the Bravo program Make Me a Supermodel.-Biography:...

, Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel

Adidja Palmer , better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, songwriter and businessman. He has many nicknames, including Addi Teacher and Gaza Emperor.-Biography:...

 and Will Smith

Will Smith

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...

 have worn Karl Kani clothing. As well as Tom Kaulitz

P Diddy

"You know one of the reasons why I always praise this industry is because you can be a self-taught clothing designer and still make millions or even billions of dollars! (…) Karl Kani is self-taught, but a lot of people don't know that." He paid further homage to Karl Kani, who paved the way for him. Diddy stated that he celebrated the path he carved for me, this couldn't have happened without him.

Baby

"Karl Kani's clothes speak like our music does; he combines street with bling in the same way we do. Karl wants his clothing line to be where the trends are and where things are happening and that's where Cash Money is. Where things are happening big time."

Jay-Z

"Youse the fag model for Karl Kani/Esco ads

Went from, Nasty Nas to Esco's trash"

Jay-Z - Takeover

"I had the Karl Kani shit on. If you looked at my clothes you could see I was out of there."

Missy Elliot

"Now my arm close hang up, my crew is deeper than Karl Kani pockets"

Missy Elliot – Dangerous Mouths (featuring Redman)

Redman

"I would be brief but my Karl Kani's didn't dry"

Redman - A million and One Buddha spots

"Karl Kani down, camoflouge can't hide the sounds"

Redman – Rollin

AZ

"You far behind I rock the reptiles and steal a Karl Kani's, guard your eyes"

The firm - Executive Decisions

Fatal B

Wears only shirts and shortpants, butt he will buy more soon.

Fatal B - Executive Decisions

Eminem

"One day I was walking by with a walkman on
when I caught a guy giving me an awkward eye.
And I strangled him off in the parking lot
with his Karl Kani"

Dr. Dre feat. Eminem- Forgot About Dre

Kool Keith

"Some try to rap with that perpetrate mobster crap
Karl Kani jeans, fat stomachs in the limosines
Mixtapes by wack DJ's adds doo doo play
I'm on the turnpike, the city drifting down the highway"

Kool Keith - Plastic world

Non Phixion

"I'd reverse the effects of physical neglect
I'd want holes in front of mirrors askin,wheres my self respect?
I'd want raulph lauren to get down with karl kani
no rode-o drive smack in the middle of south side"

Non Phixion – 4w's

Nelly

"And I didn't have to get my whole team just to do that
In a blue hat, with a black baggy Karl Kani
An iced out ring just to score on your eye"

Nelly feat St. Lunatics - Steal Da Show

Notorious B.I.G.

"So recognize the dick size in these Karl Kani jeans
I'm in thirteens, know what I mean"

"Notorious B.I.G. - One More Chance"

Damian Marley

"Some girl in the twinkling of an eye
Dem ah ready fi come pull down mi Karl Kani" (Still Searching)

"She's hoping we can spend a night at
Somewhere that's warm and cozy...why not
She's been wanting me since my Karl Kani drop" (The Master Has Come Back)

Big Punisher

"I got the Squad over-qualified, pullin over Karl Kani
Range Rover tilted, three-wheelted hydraulic slide"
How we roll

External links

• Karl Kani official website