I've been keeping my eye on Original Fake for a while now. Here is proof that vandalism can pay, as long as you have the right contacts.Kaws, who has launched this clothing and toy line with Medicom of Japan, is a New York graffiti artist who made a name for himself through the simple application of spray painted crosses over the eyes of images in bus shelter adverts.
Over the last 20 years or so those crosses and Kaws' connection with the NY art scene and Japanese clothing designers have blossomed into quite a brand.
Kaws toys, such as the Companion we can see in the picture, are regarded as art in themselves. That figure in the picture would cost in excess of $6,000, if you can find one. Other toys, in particular the earlier models, can fetch even more.
Then there is Kaws' art, which is essentially bastardised advertisements or images of naked women with strange cartoon heads. The originals are taken far more seriously in the art world than they ever should be - they even receive their own gallery exhibitions. But if you don't fancy splashing out tens of thousands on a vandalised advert you can find Kaws images on the Original Fake tee shirt line.
Which brings us to the clothing. It all started a bit garish, in that Bape cartoon romper suit manner. In fact before Original Fake was launched, Kaws did a collaboration line with Bape, putting crosses on the eyes of Baby Milo and running chomper teeth prints (a Kaws trademark) down the zippers of Bape hoodies. Nigo even did a camo design featuring the Kaws worm.
But this year Original Fake has found its true identity. The quality is second to none and the trademark crosses and chomper teeth feature with restraint on the garments. The price is astronomical, but at least you're not going to look a fool with the stuff on.
And of course, just like his artwork, you can find Original Fake hardly anywhere, ensuring the possibility of appreciation in terms of the value of pristine pieces. It's like wearing a piece of art.
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