Fresh Jive

Fresh Jive's controversial "Victimized" tee.

Los Angeles native, visionary and wildchild Rick Klotz was always looking for a way to combine his passions in life. With an expertise in graphic design, Klotz made a living out of creating flyers for a number of clubs in downtown LA during the ‘80. One year prior to the dawn of the 1990’s, Klotz transcended his graphic design know-how into cloth - giving birth to iconic label Fresh Jive.

Fresh Jive is considered to be one of the hottest Streetwear labels in the country. The design aesthetics of the company is based on the sprawling LA culture, skating, surfing, art, hip hop and punk. Ever since Fresh Jive hit the mainstream market in 1989, the brand continues to be notorious for emblazoning social and political commentary, and humor to their clothing. Although Fresh Jive apparel are oftentimes controversial, it remains true to its roots.

As a brand that continues to stay true to its beginnings, the Fresh Jive team in the early 90’s, created promotional videos for House of Pain, Mobb Deep, De la Soul, and the Breeders.

Fresh Jive is an authority when it comes to headstrong tees, hoodies, jackets, pants, shorts, and caps for men and women. Recently, it has released the “Resurgent Series” where designer Klotz has reworked the designs of the first four shirts he has created when he was still in art school.

A cool hoodie from Fresh Jive's Holiday 2008 collection.

In honor of his visionary, Klotz has been tapped for a collaboration with Warriors of Radness, another unique label. Klotz also drew inspiration from Trevor Paglen’s book, “I Could Tell You but Then You Would Have to Be Destroyed by Me.” The shirt features a patch which refers to the Pentagon’s Black Budget - billions of dollars worth in stealth government projects. Fresh Jive also collaborated with New Era Fitted Caps to come up with the Mask Shield Fitted Cap. This collaborative headgear substitutes crossed sabers and a hockey mask inside a crest. It also features a logo on the side panels of the cap and a low profile embroidery in front.

Controversial as it already is, Fresh Jive, especially CEO Klotz received flack from several groups because of its “Victimized” tee, which bears the brand’s logo at the top, a dove symbol of “peace”, 3 Palestinian kids with rifles, a small image of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the flag of Palestine, and a stylized logo of the word “Victimized.” As for the controversy, Klotz says: “I clearly have the right to make this statement, and stand behind my opinion of Palestinian victimization, as all of you critics have the right to offer your opinions of it.”

With almost a decade’s worth of experience in retail, the headstrong Klotz knows that it’s more than just making a statement in order to survive in the fashion business. He has this to say: “It’s a f*cking business,” he says, and “no one gives a sh** about your statement unless it sells.”