WORLD SOCCER SHOP x KTTP PRESENTS | KIT STORIES: BEN CHI

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Kits Stories is a series in which we tell the uniques stories of individuals through the kits that have made an impact on their lives. This first installment of Kit Sotires features Ben Chi, the Manager of Brand and Community for LAFC, founder of the dope soccer lifestyle brand FC Dorsum and member of the KTTP family. Ben helped KTTP get off the ground and was integral in the vision of KTTP coming to life. Through the story of his kits we got to know more about where his passion for kits started and how he turned his passion for the beautiful game into a career.

FC DORSUM X NIKY’S SPORTS POP-UP

It had been a little over a year since their last collection which left many a  soccer hipster parched for some freshness from FC Dorsum. With life, real jobs and failed relationships monopolizing their collective time, the “Mothmen” took a patient, more analytical route for their latest drop. This time around Dorsum would collab with Niky’s Sports on a pop-up that would last the duration of the World Cup.  Last night was the opening party and it was a damn good one.

A small,  vibrantly decorated space within Koreatown’s legendary Chapman Plaza hosted the soiree. There was music, free food courtesy of Beer Belly/Seoul Sausage and as you’d expect from any Dorsum shindig, the Henney was flowing freely. Soccer heads mingled with casual K-town locals throughout the night, while purchasing pieces from the new Dorsum collection as well as World Cup kit’s from their favorite National Team.

The FC Dorsum x Niky’s Sorts pop-up is open every day from 2pm-10pm throughout the duration of the World Cup. at Chapman Market Korea Town 3465 W 6th St. Los Angeles, CA. 90020.

Photos courtesy of Kevin Solis 

 

 

BEST 11 LIFESTYLE KITS OF 2017

As the final days of 2017 wind down we take a look back at another growth in soccer fashion. This year was massively retro driven as brands reached deep into their archives for throwback pieces both on and off pitch. We also saw soccer jersey’s feature on high fashion runways thanks to Gosha and Alexander Wang. Whether it’s GQ’s out of touch soccer fashion article or 21 savage rocking a Man United kit, 2017 was clearly a step forward as streetwear brands continued to put out gems for our casual needs. Here is our list for best 11 lifestyle kits of 2017…

Puma X Daily Paper

Daily paper’s history is one of friendship steeped in African lineage. Three friends of Somali, Ghanaian and Moroccan descent started a brand in which they created clothing inspired by African artistry. Their collaboration with Puma not only made sense but perfectly encompassed Daily Paper’s aesthetic.

 

adidas Originals X Alexander Wang

More than anything 2017 saw high fashion dabble with the beautiful game more than ever. Alexander Wang’s collection took classic adi motif’s and tweaked them with a brilliant simplicity. Our favorite soccer driven piece was this classic silhouette done up with a 90s all-over, monochrome print, inverted three-stripes on the sleeves and upside down trefoil.

 

 

adidas Skateboarding X A$AP Ferg

Created for the Trap Loard’s capsule collection with adidas Skateboarding, this kit was slightly overlooked but caught our attention as one of the year’s best. A classic, relaxed fit silhouette with a crispy tipped collar. Thin red brand accents along with thin pinstripes and a bold TLHP (Trap Lord Hood Pope) across the chest.

 

 

Nike X EA Sports

Expanding on their crazy collaborative effort from last year, EA and Nike teamed up for another banger. Created to compliment the insane EA Sports X Nike Hypervenom 3, this kit went futuristic while everyone went vintage. The unique all-over multicolor knitted pattern, resembles static on a tv. The motion capture graphics scene on the boots feature on the Hypervenom branding across along with legendary Nike volt accents on a tighter, more modern fit.

 

FC Dorsum

Creating a brand that is inspired by soccer but doesn’t want you to know that it’s inspired by soccer is weird and nonsensical, but that is literally FC Dorsum’s ethos. While this brilliantly simple kit evokes late 90s Nike, it fits an ever emerging casual aesthetic that has GQ writing silly articles. Featuring in Dorsum’s away Navy, minimal accents come by way of white pinstripes, branding and that soon to be legendary moth man crest.

 

Angelo Trofa X Nivelcrack X Joma

Trofa has basically become every soccer hipster’s favorite concept kit designer. From FUT exclusives to endless IG “What If’s” the man has ben killing it. Thus Nivelcrack’s genius in collaboration on a kit. Joma provided the canvas for the “Tigre Coreano” which features a bold, red and blue psychedelic print. This shirt is a brazenly proud homage to Nivelcrack’s Korean heritage and we love it.

 

Kila Villa Wu Tang

Sometimes a kit’s concept is obvious and for god reason in this case. Killa Villa paid a fitting homage to hip hop royalty, Wu Tang Clan with this piece. A simple white Nike kit is given the Wu treatment from the “Cream” sponsorship branding to the badge which features the crew’s iconic logo along with the words “Cash rules everything around me” and “Da ruckus”.  KTTP was created to blend cultures with soccer and this kit is two of our favorite things manifested.

hummel X The Hoodlab

Hailing from England’s most soccer decorated city it was inevitable that The Hoodlab would join the ever growing list of brands crossing into the beautiful game. With the trend exploding, authenticity is more important than ever, hence collabing on a collection with an iconic world soccer brand like hummel was crucial. Our favorite of the bunch was this green and white striped shirt featuring Hoodlab branding with those legendary hummel arrows on the sleeves. A gem where classic meets modern.

 

Palace Skateboards Palazo 17

Every year Palace crushes a footy inspired kit with an authenticity and wit that is second to none. This year is no different as this piece is obviously derived from classic Juventus kits but given that tinge of Palace we all love. The retro simplicity is given accents via two Palace badges and further branding across the chest which pays a cheeky homage to the Sony sponsorship seen on Juve jersey’s for years. A subtle nod to one of soccer’s most historic club’s and built for a streetwear aesthetic. Anything that can make grandfather’s in Turin and 17 yr old Hypebeasts in London unite, is something we can definitely get behind.

 

adidas X Gosha Rubchinskiy

adidas specifically reached out to Gosha Rubchinskiy to create a collection that celebrates Russia hosting the World Cup this summer. The German super brand really couldn’t have gone with a better choice as every one of Gosha’s collections bleeds a Russian DNA that is undeniable. The above kit is no different as it clearly pays homage to the country’s a rich sporting history. It screams 80s Soviet Russia and while that may be taboo for some, it lends to an obvious nod to the past while moving onward….and all under a high fashion umbrella. Браво Gosha!

 

Umbro X Patta

Much like Palace, Patta is a streetwear brand that can always be counted on to drop some fire footy kits. This year is probably their greatest to date as they went HAM with the vintage while honoring Amsterdam, the city they are from. The Dutch collective reached out to Umbro to resurrect one of Ajax’s most iconic jerseys and were given the green light to add their personal branding touches. Little else needs to be said about this kit, other than if you’re not a fan of this than we can’t be friends.

FC DORSUM SPRING/SUMMER 17 COLLECTION

After a recent launch party and collab with the Line hotel, FC Dorsum have officially unveiled their Spring/Summer 17 collection. As with anything the mothmen do, from their Instagram stories to the descriptions of their clothing, there is a venomous, unapologetic and cheeky wit in every detail. Case in point, the brand’s lookbook was shot at their local IKEA on a regular day seemingly without the permission of the store and very likely to save money.  

As for the range, it is their biggest to date. Drawing on an incredibly broad spectrum, the collection takes from British vernacular, the famously murdered soccer player Andres Escobar, Pedro from Napolean Dynamite and even a co-founders a girlfriend. The standout pieces are a 90’s inspired L/S navy-blue kit and the Quo beanie that comes with a variety of pins hand selected by the founders.

The FC Dorsum S/S 17 Collection is available now online at fcdorsum.com 

FC DORSUM S/S 17 LAUNCH PARTY

Last week the F.C. Dorsum hosted an intimate, invite only launch party for there Spring/Summer 17 collection at the Line Hotel in Koreatown, CA. The Hotel’s  apartment suite housed the unique soiree which served as part brand timeline and part interactive retail space. Attendees indulged in charcuterie and/or wine as Dorusm’s co-founders ran a heartfelt presentation through embarrassing/hilarious photos, snapchat videos and instagram stories which ultimately told the brilliantly transparent history of F.C Dorsum. Naturally we were on hand to bring you some exclusive photos of the soiree. 

For more on the FC Dorsum S/S 17 collection head over to fcdrosum.com

FC DORSUM X LINE HOTEL

If you know anything about the boys behind FC Dorsum, then you know that they are synonymous with two things: Koreatown and Hennessey. The Mothmen are also creatures of habit and as such, they love a good Henny fueled night at longtime K-Town hot-spot, The Line Hotel. “We’ve spent fu*k loads of money and had many memorable nights there. I think they felt bad and just threw us a bone, ” said the folks from FC Dorsum. And thus the FC Dorsum x Line Hotel collab was born. The capsule features a tee, hotel robe, and slippers. The moth emblem is ubiquitous but subtle throughout with the collection releasing just before their S/S 17 range drops.

For more on the FC Dorsum x Line Hotel collaboration head over to FC Dorsum.com.