KARL KANI FEATURED IN NEW NBC NEWS DOCUMENTARY
Los Angeles, CA (June 16, 2023) – Karl Kani is the undisputed Godfather of streetwear who launched the first streetwear brand in fashion history! His style and influence are still felt today. Karl will be featured in the new NBC News digital documentary, “50 Years Fly: The Rise, Fall, and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion.” Born and raised in the streets of Brooklyn, Karl's creativity and originality were forged in the crucible of Hip-Hop and urban culture, where he quickly became a standout for his unique style. More than 30 years after he launched his eponymous clothing line, his designs have been consistent go-to’s from stars like Tupac and Wu-Tang Clan to Joey Bada$$ and Ariana Grande.
The New Documentary Examines Hip-Hop’s Influence on the Fashion Industry as It Marks 50 Years, and is currently streaming on Peacock and NBC News NOW. Click HERE to Watch the Trailer.
Karl also worked closely with Aaliyah before she passed away. On the cover of her 1994 debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number, she wore an iconic Karl Kani metal plate hoodie. The duo also collaborated on a custom racing jacket that Aaliyah donned on the cover of her sophomore LP, One In A Million. Regarding his relationship with the late R&B legend, Karl commented, “Working with Aaliyah was an iconic moment. She simply changed women’s fashion forever. Baggy bottom crop top: that’s the Aaliyah look. Before her, it didn’t exist.”
"50 Years Fly: The Rise, Fall, and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion” is currently available on NBC’s Peacock and also streaming on NBC News NOW, NBCNews.com, and NBC News’ YouTube channel. NBC News NOW is available on Amazon Fire, Fubo, Hulu Live, Plex, Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Tubi, TuneIn, Xumo, YouTube, YouTube TV and NBC News’ apps on Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV. The documentary will also be aired by MSNBC on June 18th, followed by a roundtable discussion led by Trymaine Lee to discuss the stories and topics explored. Karl is expected to join the roundtable too. Additionally, the doc will be available on CNBC at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, June 19.
Karl Kani continues to run a successful global business three decades later. Karl is set to release his newest collection this summer!
Karl Kani has been a pioneering force in the fashion industry since its inception in the streets of Brooklyn, NY. Founder Carl Williams began designing unique pieces with a passion for fly and original clothes, bringing unique fabrics to his father's tailor. These creations quickly gained popularity among the neighborhood kids, leading Williams to establish his own fashion line. Karl Kani comes from Williams' daily mantra, "Can I?" which has propelled the brand's success ever since.
Today, Karl Kani is a global phenomenon, providing high-quality, locally manufactured garments to customers who care about the quality and history of what they wear. The brand caters to fans of hip-hop and classic yet unique streetwear silhouettes, with a focus on urban, hip-hop, '90s, and timeless styles.
Karl Kani stands out as an authentic, home-grown brand with a strong history and community ties. The brand's success can be attributed to the passion and dedication of its founder, as well as the support of the hip-hop community. Today, Karl Kani continues to influence streetwear and high fashion, with its iconic silhouettes and styles still evident in today's trends. With each new collection, Karl Kani continues to prove why the brand truly deserves the title of "The Originator" and "The Godfather of Streetwear."
