Kerwin Frost
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Kerwin Frost | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | July 26, 1995 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer, DJ, Talk Show Host, Comedian, Personality |
| Years active | 2015 – present |
| Spouse | Erin Yogasundram |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | https://www.mrkerwinfrost.com/ |
Kerwin Frost (born July 26, 1995) is a Harlem-born entertainer, DJ, talk show host, and comedian known for his eclectic street style. He first rose to prominence in New York City's Soho Youth streetwear scene, and as the Founder of the Spaghetti Boys, a creative collective known for viral YouTube videos and streetwear collaborations. Kerwin is recognizable by his trademark face tattoo of a pencil that runs the entire length of his right cheek.[1] He got the tattoo when he was 14.[2]
In 2019, Kerwin became Adidas' newest creator, responsible for designing clothing, sneakers, and ad campaigns for the brand[3]. He also began hosting a YouTube talk show, Kerwin Frost Talks.
Early life
Kerwin was raised in public housing in Harlem, turning to fashion and music at a young age to escape from his humble surroundings.[2] By economic necessity, his father first introduced him to thrifting, a pursuit Kerwin adopted with passion. Growing up, he would hunt for designer pieces at Goodwill, and swap them out with his friends.[4] He attributes the development of his funny personality to the fact that “If you were broke, you had to be really good at making fun of the next person with comebacks.”[2]
Kerwin attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School and dropped out at 16.
Career
2015 – 2018: Soho Youth Streetwear Culture and the Spaghetti Boys
At 15, Kerwin began spending time with other fashion-obsessed kids along the so-called ‘clout corridor’, an area in Soho that stretches between Mercer and Howard Streets, and includes stores such as Supreme, VFiles, Off-White, NikeLab 21M, among others.[5] It was here that he met other likeminded friends, including Mike the Ruler, Luka Sabbat, and Austin Babbitt.[4] To make money to purchase clothes, Kerwin would wait for hours in the Supreme line the night before major drops, and would then resell the clothes at a premium to naïve New York tourists.[2] When he was 16, he interned at VFiles. During this time, he made the decision to be immerse himself in the fashion world, rather than be a fashion writer, something he had be contemplating.[4]
In 2015, Kerwin founded the Spaghetti Boys, an NYC-based art-content producers-DJ collective, alongside Ray Martinez. The two met in one of Harlem's public housing developments where they were both living, and soon become friends at a local skate-spot.[6] Spaghetti Boys became well known for their work in New York creating art, design, and music. [2] In 2015, the Spaghetti Boys collective released fashion collaborations with Off-White, Heron Preston and Sprayground, which included tees and work shirts.[7] A capsule collection was launched at the Tokyo boutique NUBIAN.[8] In their Hypebeast Radio interview, the Spaghetti Boys claimed to have had complete creative control over the production and direction of the Spaghetti Boys x Sprayground backpack collaboration.[6] The Spaghetti Boys merchandise has been spotted on various celebrity figures, including Fear of God fashion designer Jerry Lorenzo, the Weeknd, Bella Hadid and others.[9] The Spaghetti Boys also hosted free all-ages parties at New York City venues such as Milk Studios and Overthrow Boxing Gym.[7] Honorary members of the Spaghetti Boys included Austin Babbitt and Sheck Wes, White Trash Tyler, among others.[6] In late 2018, the Spaghetti Boys disbanded and Frost began focusing on new projects. Describing the Spaghetti Boys apparel, Frost has said “We were kind of making the clothes for this suburban kid who had green spiked hair and listened to Green Day. But that kid didn't exist”.
Kerwin Frost Talks
In March 2019, Kerwin launched Season 1 of his self-produced and distributed talk show, Kerwin Frost Talks. In each episode he sits down for hours with A-list music and fashion celebrities – who also appear to be his friends – for organic conversations. Kerwin describes the episodes as “spoken-word biographies from the horse’s mouth.[10]” The interviews are shot for the most part directly in the guest's house, which gives the viewer an intimate look into their life and home. The 15-episode Season 1 featured guests including ASAP Rocky, Lil Yachty ,SZA, Dev Hynes, Luka Sabbat, Jeremy Scott, the Founders of Hood by Air, Tyler the Creator, Chief Keef among others. ASAP Rocky held his first interview following after his stint in a Swedish jail on an episode of Kerwin Frost Talks, during which he openly talked about his falling out with Spaceghostpurpp[11]. Lil Yachty broke the news on his episode of KFT that he wrote "Act Up" for City Girls[12]
Hosting and Video Content
Kerwin has garnered attention for producing viral video content and securing unplanned interviews with recognized pop culture celebrities. In 2018, he worked with Kanye West to create three video content pieces for West: the West's Wyoming listening party, his Kids See Ghosts listening party, and the Kardashian-Jenner-West Christmas Party. These documentary-come-cinema vérité videos are meant to be entertaining and feature Kerwin interviewing famous guests. In the Wyoming listening party video, footage includes Kerwin boarding a private jet, and interview attendees including Lil Yachty, 2 Chainz, and Pusha T. Frost's interview-filled video at the Kardashian-Jenner-West Christmas party included Kerwin dressing up as Santa, and features stars including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Kris Jenner, Mason Disick, Paris Hilton, Kathy Griffin, among others.[13] Kerwin has also created and hosted a street trivia series for Cash App. From Los Angeles to New York, Frost interviewed people on the street surprising them with free money.
Style
Kerwin is a street style influencer, famous for his thrifted avant-garde outfits, and being draped in street-fashion and high-fashion styles.[14][4] He has been connected to popular street-wear brands including Palm Angels, Moncler, Off-White, Yeezy, and has a multi-year partnership with Adidas.[15][16][17][18] His fashion choices have garnered media attention. Kerwin Frost donning a Hood by Air tent has been described as a classic embodiment of a 2019 street style trend known as ‘peak maximalism’.[19] At Paris Fashion Week 2019, he was featured in a Moncler x Craig Green coat that went viral.[4] Other notable Paris Fashion Week looks include donning a pair of Luar angel wings at the Kim Jones Pre-fall 2019 collection and Dior FY19 show, and wearing head-to-toe Yeezy outfits.[20][21] Other notable looks include Hood by Air's double-sided cowboy bootsand he is frequently seen is oversized hats. Kerwin has featured in several lists of best of men's street style in 2019, including by Cameron Dallas as best dressed during New York Fashion Week 2019. Artist Takashi Murakami has also co-signed Kerwin's fashion choices. [22][23].
When asked to describe the roots of his personal style, Kerwin has said: “Most people in today’s time follow about five different cookie-cutter formats of style. I grew up thrifting because my family was poor, which opened up worlds of imagination. This doesn’t just apply to vintage—the diversity of thrift store options had me wearing a ski-boot or a scuba suit on a normal day. I grew up with the rule book in the garbage which gave me a lot of freedom to wear what I genuinely thought looked cool, not what was fed to me by popular media.”[24]
Music
Kerwin is known for DJing fashion parties, including for brands Moncler, Palm Angels, and others. He is also known for DJing at celebrity events, notably the 2019 Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Party and the Weeknd's Birthday Party.[25] In November, he was part of the lineup at Post Malone’s Posty Fest.[26]
- Mixes: In September 2018, Kerwin released Turn That Shit Off! (the mix) September 2018. The 90-minute mix features a range of genres and artists, from unreleased Sheck Wes to Portishead, to The Ramones and Azealia Banks. It also includes special guest drops from Lil Yachty, Virgil Abloh, Playboi Carti, Lil B and Jim Carrey.
- Music: Kerwin has worked with artists to craft original music, notably “Kerwin Frost Scratch That” by 10K Cash & Matt Ox.[27] The track turned into a viral dance on TikTok with more than 2 million generated videos.[28]
Acting
Kerwin features in the Safdie Brother's film Uncut Gems, as himself.[29]
Kerwin Frost Film Festival
In March 2019, Kerwin hosted the first Annual Kerwin Frost Film Festival in New York City. 17 films were shown over three days.[30] The festival featured a panel with film producers the Safdie Brothers, a Q&A session led by music video producer Cole Bennett, and an appearance by Robert Pattinson.[2] The Film Festival was free and sponsored by Cash App.
Adidas partnership
In January 2020, Kerwin announced a long-term partnership with Adidas, which includes him designing clothing, footwear and ad campaigns for the brand.[31] In an interview with GQ, Frost mentions that he has wanted to work for Adidas for a long time. To date, he has developed limited edition cassette tapes for the brand, featured in their Superstar shoe campaign, and is expected to create a suite of apparel this year that leans heavily into his personal aesthetic and inspired by costume.[32]
Personal life
Kerwin is married to Erin Yogasundram, who is also his manager. In July 2019, they welcomed their first child, Waffle Frost.[4] Frost and Erin met over Instagram and they have only spent one day apart since.[2] In a recent interview with Coveteur, Kerwin has an extensive collection of vintage posters, ranging from Spice World to Chicken Run to Got Milk. Other notable items in his home include several life-size cutouts of himself, and a Nintendo 64 prototype that Frost built himself.[24]
Filmography
| Episode | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Luka Sabbat | Released April, 2019 |
| 2 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Dev Hynes | Released April, 2019 |
| 3 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Lil Yachty | Released April, 2019 |
| 4 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Jeremy Scott | Released May, 2019 |
| 5 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Hood by Air ft Shayne Oliver and Ian Isiah | Released May, 2019 |
| 6 | Kerwin Frost Talks with A$AP Rocky and Ian Connor | Released June, 2019 |
| 7 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Luka Sabbat Part II | Released June, 2019 |
| 8 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Travis Barker | Released July, 2019 |
| 9 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Sza | Released August, 2019 |
| 10 | Kerwin Frost Talks with Diplo | Released August, 2019 |
| 11 | Kerwin Frost Talks to Post Malone | Released September, 2019 |
| 12 | Kerwin Frost Talks to Chief Keef | Released September, 2019 |
| 13 | Kerwin Frost Talks to Tyler, The Creator | Released December, 2019 |
| 14 | Kerwin Frost Talks with A$AP Rocky | Released January, 2020 |
| 15 | Kerwin Frost Talks to Yung Lean | Released April, 2020 |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Uncut Gems | Himself |
| 2019 | Kerwin Frost Presents the Kanye West Wyoming Ye Listening Party | Himself |
| 2019 | Kerwin Frost Presents the Kanye West & Kid Cudi Kids See Ghosts Listening Party | Himself |
| 2019 | Kerwin Frost Presents the 2018 Kardashian-Jenner-West Christmas Party | Himself |
Discography
| Year | Title | Release Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Memento Mori: Episode 6 | Released October 31, 2019 on the Weeknd's
Beats 1 show Memento Mori |
| 2019 | Turn That Shift Off! Vol 1 | Released on Soundcloud |
| Year | Title | Release Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10K Cash Ft Matt Ox – Kerwin Frost Scratch That | Released on Soundcloud |
Awards and Nominations
Nominated by Dazed for its annual Dazed 100 list.[33]
Nominated for Best in Fashion in the 11th Annual Shorty Awards[34]
References
- ^ Kurutz, Steven (2018-08-04). "Face Tattoos Go Mainstream". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Meet Kerwin Frost, Your Favorite Influencer's Favorite Influencer". GQ. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Schube, Sam. "Kerwin Frost Is About to Do Some Wacky Stuff with Adidas". GQ. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
- ^ a b c d e f "Kerwin Frost, Fashion's Funniest Man, Has Serious Street Style". Vogue. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Petrarca, Emilia (2018-01-24). "The Soho Intersection That's Become a Streetwear Destination". The Cut. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ a b c "#41: Spaghetti Boys Know They've Always Been the Black Sheep". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ a b Falconer, Austin (2018-04-19). "The Spaghetti Boys World Destruction Tour". Medium. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Spaghetti Boys Head to Tokyo For Special Pop-up at NUBIAN". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ "Get to Know Bella Hadid's New Favorite Brand, Spaghetti Boys". HYPEBAE. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Kerwin Frost's Closet Is a Goldmine of Costumes & Adidas". Coveteur. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky Reflects On His Falling Out With SpaceGhostPurrp". Genius. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
- ^ "Lil Yachty says he penned most of City Girls' "Act Up"". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
- ^ "Kanye West Jokes He Was 'Satisfied' By Kim Kardashian's Christmas 'Nip Slip': 'I Was Waiting For' It". Access. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Higgins, Keenan (2019-02-13). "Palm Angels Turned Its NYFW Afterparty Into a Full-Out Rap Show". The Source. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Moncler and Palm Angels Celebrate Launch of New Collaboration". PAPER. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Musho, Lee (2019-06-07). "Graffiti, Sake Cocktails, and Puffer Jackets". The Cut. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ McCarthy, Lauren. "Inside Paris Fashion Week's Best Parties with Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, and Bella Hadid". W Magazine. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "The Art of Vandalism, According to Palm Angels". www.lofficielusa.com. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "How Street Style Evolved in the 2010s—From Pre-Instagram to Peak Maximalism". Vogue. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Dior FW19: Here's What Celebrities Wore to the Show". Highsnobiety. 2019-01-19. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "FWRD's Elyse Walker Has a Closet Full of Next Season's Best Designer Pieces". Coveteur. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Nordstrom, Leigh; Nordstrom, Leigh (2019-09-06). "Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who's the Best Dressed of Them All?". WWD. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Phil Oh's Best Street Style Photos From the Fall 2019 Menswear Shows in Paris". Vogue. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ a b "Kerwin Frost's Closet Is a Goldmine of Costumes & Adidas". Coveteur. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Burroni, Christine (2019-02-16). "The Weeknd has camo-themed birthday bash". Page Six. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Post Malone's Posty Fest to Feature Meek Mill, Pharrell, Rae Sremmurd, More". Variety. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "10k.Caash & Matt Ox Collide on New Track, "KERWIN FROST SCRATCH THAT"". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Leight, Elias; Leight, Elias (2019-05-20). "NiceMichael Made 'Old Town Road' a TikTok Hit. He'll Do the Same for You -- For a Price". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Uncut Gems (2019) - IMDb, retrieved 2019-12-17
- ^ "#FilmFriday: Kerwin Frost Announces His 1st Annual Film Festival In NYC". VASHTIE. 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Schube, Sam. "Kerwin Frost Is About to Do Some Wacky Stuff with Adidas". GQ. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
- ^ Schube, Sam. "Kerwin Frost Is About to Do Some Wacky Stuff with Adidas". GQ. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
- ^ Dazed (2019-06-13). "Kerwin Frost is the DJ slash street style star to know". Dazed. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Kerwin Frost - The Shorty Awards". shortyawards.com. Retrieved 2020-08-06.