PHASE 2 - Kulture Klub
Kulture Klub are an Irish label who also function as an agency, promoting creatives including photographers, designers and video producers. They’ve had previous success with their striking TRAP tees, an attention-grabbing statement fused with the well-known Visa logo. Their latest collection, PHASE 2 is a step forward for the brand, moving towards sophisticated social commentary.
Shot by Dan Comerfod
The collection is a series of capsules. They mark the evolution of the brand from humble beginnings to more intricate complex designs with meaning. The fabrics were brushed cotton, serving a higher-grade quality and printing finish which contrasted significantly from their first collection in 2017. The first capsule from PHASE 2 is comprised of two t-shirts with socially conscious messages. Kulture Klub’s tees reflect the issues of our time and challenge the negative perceptions of positive youthful rebellion. More capsules are expected to be released throughout the 2019.
The first tee is black, embellished with a Mona Lisa wearing a Hijab, with the portrait framed in black and yellow hazard warning tape, along with the words "Kulture Worldwide" atop and "Sans Peur" below the frame. The Mona Lisa curated by Da Vinci is Italian but held in the Louvre, a French Museum. "Sans Peur" is French for "without fear". Due to marginalised coverage by the media, people are anxious about Muslims in today's society due to terrorist attacks. Kulture Klub are directly engaging with that that fear and ignorance with this design.
The second tee is white, comprised of a vulture illustration in black and "Kulture" signature in red font above it. Taking both components into consideration, the tee reads Kulture Vulture. A culture vulture typically means someone using dishonest means to make profit by pillaging a culture they do not care about. This design rejects that notion, claiming profits can be made honourably without undermining the cultural beliefs or practices of other people. Thus, the product description states: no cultures were appropriated in the making of this tee, promoting the message that there's no need for cultural appropriation in any space, fashion and beyond.
Suss out the gallery below and appreciate the PHASE 2 lookbook for their Kulture Worldwide tee, shot by Daniel Comerford (a favourite here at FAC, he shot our last event) and Ken Lomena at the National Gallery. Make sure to stall over to the Kulture Klub site to browse the store and check out their talented creatives.
Digital Photos by Ken Lomena
Film Photography by Dan Comerford
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