Karl Kani is known as the "Father of Urbanwear" and is considered the visionary behind many of the first steps in fashion. The brand was founded in 1989 in Brooklyn, New York by the then 19-year-old Carl Williams, who was the first to introduce the concept of loose jeans. Today, the Karl Kani brand is recognized worldwide and is considered an iconic brand when it comes to quality streetwear and hip-hop fashion. Karl Kani was inspired by hip-hop and street culture, but at the time it was impossible to find clothing in this style. Therefore, he decided to create his own clothes and soon started taking orders from friends and strangers. As public demand grew, he gained the confidence to pursue his passion full-time and legally changed his name to Karl Kani. Under this new name, he moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue his passion even more intensely. Today, the Karl Kani brand has expanded internationally to 25 countries in Europe and has 13 flagship stores in Japan alone, including one in Harajuku2. Unlike many other high-end brands, Karl Kani has remained true to its label. His passion for quality, design and craftsmanship means that Kani has always honored the brand's roots and still makes many of his garments in the USA.
