Kevin Dudley

While visiting the new location of the Philly AIDS thrift store, I found Kevin perusing the racks on the upper floor wearing a minimalist ensemble reminiscent of Riccardo Tisci's vision of the Givenchy man (I would later learn it was inspired by listening to Joy Division that morning). Instantly recognizing him as a Temple student and someone I'd been DYING to interview for the longest time, it would have been a crime NOT to ask him at least a few questions about his look and inspirations.



Kevin's interest in fashion began as an obsession with Pharrell Williams' Ice Creams and a Bathing Ape cap, gradually expanding from there. After moving from California, he felt a disconnect from his new classmates. Not only was he the new kid, but the style he had been honing back home didn't exactly mesh with the other members of the student body. After a while, others' opinions became less influential. "I went from self defense to self offense. My desire to fit in turned a desire to 'fit out'." There are still times Kevin gets nervous about wearing his creations out, such a long, sweater-jersey hybrid he made that could easily be mistaken for a skirt. In the end, it is his own opinion which matters most, a mindset more people should take in any chance for creative expression.


Hat and skinny jeans: H&M, Glasses: Vintage from Franklin Square, Shirt: thrifted but tailored by Kevin himself, Shoes: Dr. Martens

Currently drawing influence from designers like Rick Owens, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, and Thom Browne (known for constantly tweeking with the classic gray suit) Kevin's style icons also include the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and one of my personal heroes, the fairy godmother of punk fashion herself, Vivienne Westwood. Not only does he draw inspiration from high art/fashion's revered gods and goddesses, but the individuals who participate in Japan's eclectic street style scene (he has a folder on his computer dedicated solely to his favorite looks). The technicality and research Kevin puts into each outfit is truly inspiring, even into one as seemingly simple as that pictured, and completely breaks the stereotype of the college male being oblivious to new possibilities in clothing.