an ‘Ode to the Streets’ this tee is a tribute to the pioneers of the streetwear industry. one of ill fashioned’s first designs, it is symbolic of the appreciation to these legends and the beginning of the journey of our own. one thing they have in common is they are unapologetic and go against the grain and we love them for doing what they do!
Likely to need no introduction, Shawn Stussy. the og, the legend and founder of an American staple created out of California in the 1980s, Stussy. The Brand Responsible for Streetwear. Founder of the style itself. although Shawn started with surfboards his streetwear still goes strong worldwide to this day. Since stepping away from Stussy a few years back to live a casual and carefree life he has had several other projects worth checking out.
Rick Klotz aka Mchael Dytri from Los Angeles Founded his iconic brand FreshJive in 1989. FreshJive became known through experimental marketing as an originator of streetwear culture And Rick is still throwing curve balls to this day after stating that branding is bullshit he de-branded and dropped the logos from all his apparel.. he described his brand as ’21 years of experiment that came to express itself as a neurotic addiction.” FreshJive was launched in with no clear road map other than being an extension of Klotz’s personality and lifestyle.
Erik Brunetti aka Iancu v. Brunetti originally starting as graffiti bomber in the 80s, Fuct is as street as it gets. a trailblazer fighting for freedom of speech for over 30 years. Most streetwear trends can be traced back to Brunetti and Fuct. (Thank you for baggy skate jeans!) even the founder of supreme before supreme existed used to stock it in his LA store.
Eli Bonerz is one of XLARGE’s founders, XLARGE started as a shop in the LA neighborhood of Los Feliz, on Vermont street in 1991. Opened by Eli Bonerz and Adam Silverman, the store catered to their diverse community and was quickly adopted by personalities such as Mike D from beastie boys, who later funded the brand and became a co-owner, they focused largely on workwear and vintage aesthetic. Eli his brother eric, Adam & Mike made-up the 4 owners of XLARGE, It’s not like these guys intended to become trend shapers. None of them have any formal education in fashion or merchandising–just an incredible knack for it.
