My next stop in the city was in slightly cramped quarters, let’s call it a design dungeon, of an infamous character who goes by the name of Yellow Kid Slanty. More commonly known as Kevin Saer Leong. Perhaps more commonly known as the man who helped Russel Simmons make Phat Farm, and whatever other spin-off brands they have cooking over there amongst the Russel Clan, into massive, globe spanning, multi-million dollar empires.I was invited to meet Kevin at the request of old friend and endless agitator of the streets,
Great Scott. Let’s take a second to think about this for a moment. Leong basically designed an entire generation of urban wear at the behest of Russel Simmons. Baggy jeans, dramatic polos, all denim everything, and massive logos. The good, the bad, and looking back, some ugly. But realize that he basically defined a look that dominated urban culture, and in many rights still dominates to this day. That’s a resume and a half folks. Respect earned, and given gladly. But that’s the past.
Yellow Kid Slanty,
Origami, and Kevin’s stockpiled office of graffiti covered foolery is the future.
I have a fascination with other people’s work space. And while Kevin’s isn’t exactly what I’d consider my own personal preference, I can related completely to the state of things in his office. Still wrapped copies of Adobe Illustrator atop endless stacks of vectored designs that extend years into the future. Personal stores of fabric, shipments, and product stocked away next to a mountainous collection of inspiration and literature. When you see this much clutter. It usually means someone is a whole lot of something done. In my case, it just means I’m getting my room dirty. For most other beings, most likely Kevin included, it means work is being finished and there’s no time for neat desks or welcome mats for visitors.
