Kilo Goods

Chris Brown rocking Kilo Goods merchandise.

Kilo Goods is a revolutionary clothing line famous for its vibrant and trendy apparel inspired by the 80’s Miami and NYC scenes. The man behind this innovative line is Erik Marino, whose inspiration was his childhood days growing up in extravagant and sunny Miami, and spending most of his adult life in bustling New York.

“(The line is) inspired by the attitude of Miami lifestyle in the 80’s. It isn’t literally interpreted in the graphics but the color story and mood reflects that era of decadence and style. Art Deco, Hollywood and politics also inspire the line,” Erik told www.highsnobiety.com.

Erik had his first hand with design when he got together with the art movement “The Barnstormers.” Artist Ro Starr and his sister Marlyn, an accomplished photographer, are just some of the many people who have inspired to him hone his creative prowess. After studying graphic design, gaining experience from a big fashion company, and opening his own line named “Demographix” in 2001, Erik, together with friends Lin Yeezy, Nasty Natem and Kenshin Mato decided to open their own clothing line – Kilo Goods in 2006.

Erik defines the line’s aesthetic philosophy as a blend of  “luxury, sport, politics, and art in a progressive palette.” The clothing line, he added, is “a new sportswear with a focus on illustrating a “New-Americana.”

So what inspires Kilo Goods designers? Erik said in his interview with Art Nouveau Magazine: “We draw inspiration from each other. We’re all creative, our whole damn team….from our designers to marketing to sales to distribution, fashion, music, video, conceptions etc… We bounce ideas and try to make Kilo that outfit you rock when you want to impress.”

With the inspiration at hand, how do the design partners create the brand’s colorful and chic shirts? Erik said, “We get amped up on uppers and just bang out more than we can handle. Then the bar keeps rising.”

Lupe Fiasco (middle) is a certified Kilo Goods fan.

Kidding aside, he believes that the harmonious relationship between the designers add up to the heightened fashion level of Kilo Goods.

“The key is, we have fun and we’re all good friends. Our environment is ideal because we made it so; I think it shows in the work and collections,” he said in an interview with Art Nouveau Magazine.

Barely five years in the industry, Kilo Goods has already earned a famous following. Chris Brown and Lupe Fiasco are just some of the high profile celebrities seen wearing Kilo Goods. The merchandise has also been featured in a number of fashion magazines, including Giant and Clark.

In an industry filled with clothing companies creating vibrant tees, how does Kilo Goods rise above the rest? Erik had this to say: “Kilo Goods is a lifestyle company, we will continue to push intricate detail, top quality and fresh design. We just do what we do… and grow by the day.”