Why Kerwin Frost Is One of the Great Creatives of Our Time
Spaghetti Boys, Kanye, Superstuffed, and McNuggets
Kerwin Frost, some may have been introduced to him through the Spaghetti Boys, and others through his McDonald’s meal. Either way, his work was likely brought to your attention at some point. His artistic style is one that you do not find elsewhere. Through his exotic patterns and wacky graphics, his creations will almost always leave you fascinated. A creator through many different art mediums, Kerwin Frost is one of the most important creatives of our generation.
At the age of 14, Kerwin Frost got a face tattoo of a pencil design. This decision went on to be a major mark for his coming years. Although it is the 21st century, a face tattoo is a face tattoo. Kerwin knew the risk involved with such a bold decision, but he would never regret it. A couple of years later, at 16, Kerwin dropped out of high school. At this moment, he fully immersed himself in becoming a creator. Hanging out in SoHo, he was able to befriend like-minded kids his age. These peers included Luka Sabbat, Mike the Ruler, and Austin Babbitt (Asspizza). Needing cash to fund his clothing obsession, Kerwin would turn to what many teens his age loved, Supreme. He would resell the newly released pieces to tourists, turning a profit. As 2015 came around, Kerwin would introduce the Spaghetti Boys. This collective, founded alongside Ray Martinez, included the likes of DJs, artists, and content creators. One figure who was pivotal to the growth of the crew was Virgil Abloh. Abloh, the legendary fashion designer, would cosign and even release a collaboration with the Spaghetti Boys. As the years went on the Spaghetti Boys continued to create, as well as host parties throughout NYC. It wasn’t until 2018 that the crew would disband, largely due to Frost and others wanting to pursue new projects. Although the Spaghetti Boys were no longer, this was just the start for Kerwin Frost.
Listening parties are a vital part of rappers’ and musicians’ project rollouts. These parties can sway an audience’s view of a certain album from bad to great, and great to bad. One man who is known for his listening parties would be none other than Kanye West. Kanye, now known as Ye, released two albums in 2018. His eighth studio album, Ye, and his second collaborative album, Kids See Ghosts. Kanye would tap Kerwin Frost to create video content for the events. Kanye knew of the talent that Kerwin had to create a unique experience for the audience. The Kardashian-Jenner-West Christmas party would also have its own Frost-directed video. In cementing one’s legacy, Kerwin Frost proves his stripes with a cosign from Kanye West.
Over time, the video content by Frost would only further develop into a mastermind of his creativity. A major driving point of his content was his talk show, Kerwin Frost Talks. In a world full of bland and indistinct podcasts and interviews, Kerwin Frost Talks provides the needed escape. Kerwin’s interview style is something that keeps the audience fully engaged. It is an awkward, yet comfortable form of conversation. He can create important dialect while maintaining a sense of humor throughout. It is noticeable how Kerwin only interviews those he wants to. The interviewees have included the likes of Tyler The Creator, Ian Connor, Luka Sabbat, Jeremy Scott, Shayne Oliver, Post Malone, Chief Keef, and A$AP Rocky. When watching the show, one does not feel the sense of a reporter trying to pull information out of someone. It feels like you are sitting in on a conversation of old friends catching up again. This is largely because that is what often is occurring. In a time when people’s attention span has been reduced to nearly nothing, Frost has been able to maintain viewership of his over-hour-long shows. He is one-of-a-kind creativity is showcased through every minute of his interviews.
In January 2020, Kerwin Frost announced that he would be embarking on a long-term partnership with Adidas. This partnership went on to create some of the most outlandish pieces in recent history. The creations have included Forum Highs, Microbounces, denim shorts, tracksuits, to the famed Adidas Superstuffed. The Superstuffed are the classic Adidas Superstars elongated and padded, leading the sneaker to appear approximately five sizes larger than the tag. All pairs would sell out in minutes. The highlight of this partnership may not even be the unique items. Frost and Adidas have released countless films and promotional campaigns geared to the creative world-building of Kerwin. This world-building is not seen often in an industry where the main goal is to sell products quickly and move on. In an interview with Paper Magazine, he even stated that “world-building is always my favorite thing.” It is one of the reasons why Kerwin Frost can stand out amongst such a crowded fashion and art scene. The world behind his Adidas collaborations was just the start of Kerwin’s mainstream creative efforts.
Kerwin Frost partnered with McDonald’s at the end of 2023 to release a collaborative adult Happy Meal. The Kerwin Frost Box included the choice of “10-piece Chicken McNuggets® or a Big Mac®, World Famous Fries®, a soft drink, and a special McNugget Buddy collectible.” The Buddy collectibles are a new take on a classic toy. They were first introduced in 1988, as part of a special edition Happy Meal. Kerwin redesigned the Buddies into six different characters. The characters all have their unique traits and attire, with the outfits being interchangeable between figures. As each promotional advert was released online, the creativity of Kerwin’s was fully expressed on a mainstream level. The merchandise seen in the promotional videos and graphics was released online, which included the viral “Fry Guy” clogs. Kerwin created a world that connected the nostalgic childhood relation to McDonald’s with the future the brand holds. As I sat down and thought about the evolution of Frost’s career, I couldn’t describe his work better than he did in a recent interview. He stated how McDonald’s brought up “the potential for us to come together and create magic.” This magic created through the Kerwin Frost box perfectly encapsulated the culmination of his career. Kerwin has already cemented his artistic importance to the world at large, and he is just getting started.
Sources:
- Llc, McDonald’s USA. Step Into Frost Way With the Kerwin Frost Box at McDonald’s. 29 Nov. 2023.
- Magazine, Paper. “Kerwin Frost Takes Collectibles Seriously.” PAPER Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023.
- Hine, Samuel, and Michael Tyrone Delaney. “How The King of Viral Outfits Landed Fashion’s Most Coveted Sneaker Collab.” GQ, 1 Nov. 2021.
