Considered one of the world's most prominent up-and-coming menswear fashion labels, Brooklyn-based KidSuper all started in the basement of Colm Dillane’s childhood home, where he created custom graphic tees for his fellow high school students. Officially establishing itself as a full-fledged brand in 2010, KidSuper has gained a massive following for its unconventional approach to fashion. The label is highly regarded for its hand-painted graphics, experimental materials, unique designs, and exciting DIY aesthetic. Keep reading to learn more about the history of Kidsuper.

Who is KidSuper?

‘KidSuper’ is the pseudonym of the brand’s founder, Colm Dillane. Dillane is an American fashion designer and artist who established the streetwear brand KidSuper Studios. He launched the label officially in 2010 while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. The name ‘KidSuper’ was inspired by Dillane’s childhood nickname and his belief in the power of creativity and self-expression. Dillane was supposedly called ‘KidSuper’ by his friends when he was younger, as he was constantly coming up with imaginative ideas. The name represents a playful and youthful spirit.

The brand has been recognized with numerous awards for its contributions to fashion and design, including the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Art & Style in 2017. Colm Dillane is highly known for his boundary-pushing approach to fashion. Additionally, in lieu of a new Creative Director, this past January, Louis Vuitton announced that the KidSuper founder would guest design Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection. Dillane continues to rise to the fashion industry ranks and establish his name as nothing short of unforgettable.

Reflecting Colm Dillane’s diverse interests and unique creative vision, KidSuper draws inspiration from countless sources, but some of the main inspirations behind the brand are street culture and urban aesthetics. Growing up in New York, Dillane had been influenced by elements of street culture, such as graffiti, skateboarding, and hip-hop. The brand’s bold and vibrant designs correlate directly to the energy, vibrancy, and culture of the New York environment. Along with this, KidSuper is the definition of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) aesthetic, which emphasizes concepts of creativity, individuality, and expression. KidSUper’s designs take on playful and humourous elements, challenging the traditional status quo of fashion. Colm Dillane believes that style should be fun, and his designs often incorporate unexpected and unique characteristics that take on a sense of playfulness and joy.

KidSuper’s Early Days

KidSuper’s debut collection arrived in 2010, the same year the brand was established while Colm Dillane was in college. The collection was titled ‘KidSuper Heroes’ and featured a series of hand-painted, one-of-a-kind t-shirts that Dillane made himself. The shirts took on unique designs while blending streetwear, art, and playful motifs, garnering immediate attention. This collection characterized Dillane’s signature DIY aesthetic, featuring hand-painted graphics, bright colors, and bold patterns.

There have been several breakthrough moments throughout the KidSuper journey so far. One moment includes KidSuper’s first official fashion show, titled' First Real Fashion Show, ' during New York Fashion Week in 2013. It garnered attention for its unique and unconventional approach with its DIY runway, models of all ages and sizes, and unique blend of streetwear, art, and playfulness. Additionally, KidSUper’s ‘Living Room Fashion Show’ held in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic also made an impression, as it was a creative response to the limitations imposed by this pandemic. The live-streamed show received massive attention, raising KidSUper’s profile as a monumental brand.

Collaborations

Over the years, KidSuper has also collaborated with various artists and brands, resulting in unique and innovative collections. In 2017, KidSuper and Puma collaborated on a collection that took into account KidSuper’s artistry and Puma’s athletic heritage. The collaboration incorporated an arrangement of apparel, footwear, and accessories. KidSuper made a statement a year later by collaborating with oral care brand Colgate on a limited-edition toothpaste packaging design. Other notable collaborations include Sephora, New Era, and Suicoke.

KidSuper’s Philosophy, Style + Impact

KidSuper’s philosophy revolves around creativity, inclusivity, and self-expression. KidSuper encourages others to embrace their unique identities and authentically express themselves without conforming to traditional fashion standards. Kidsuper believes that everyone has the power to make their mark on the world. KidSuper’s style relies heavily on self-expression, all while incorporating various DIY-inspired details and unconventional design elements in each collection. KidSuper has continuously blurred the lines between fashion and art, elevating clothing and accessories to wearable art. The brand’s hand-painted designs, unique graphics, and artistic collaborations have brought a fresh and creative perspective to fashion, inspiring other designers and artists to explore new ways of merging fashion and art. KidSuper has established itself as an influential label.

KidSuper Today

With that, KidSuper introduces its new Spring/Summer ‘23 collection. Storytelling is prominent throughout these new arrivals, including apparel such as tees, shorts, button-ups, hoodies, jackets, sweaters, and other unique pieces such as corduroy blazers and landscape pants. Storytelling remains a focal aspect of the brand, intertwined with Colm Dillane’s love of his Brooklyn community. This new artist-led collection, titled ‘Superby’s,’ highlights a caliber of American artists such as Whitfield Lovell, Charles Atlas, Judith-Blum Redding, and Robin Winters. KidSuper’s signature DIY aesthetic is placed throughout this collection, as well as an overall sense of artistry and unique imagery.

Click here to shop the new KidSuper collection.