Having waged a serious war against dull and boring beachwear, Los Angeles-based label Warriors of Radness is by far one of the coolest labels in the game right now (just ask the guys over at GQ — they nominated the brand for their “Best New Designer In America” award this past year). Founded in 2007 by Rick Klotz, Warriors of Radness is certainly not for the faint of heart; the label’s collections are often comprised of t-shirts, tank tops and thigh-grazing shorts in bold, eye-popping colors that beckon to a time when Zack Morris and A.C. Slater still ruled the shores. Having caught the attention of retailers including Fred Segal, Ron Herman, BEAMS Japan, Harvey Nichols and Opening Ceremony, Warriors of Radness has gained a loyal following of fans from both coasts and just recently launched a separate line known simply as WOR (don’t you dare call it a diffusion label, either). We recently had the pleasure of asking Klotz a couple of questions about the brand and are here to tell you that the answers do not disappoint.
WATM: Tell us a bit about your Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Aside from the label’s surf-inspired aesthetic, were there any specific inspirations?
Klotz: Specific inspirations for spring beyond sunshine, funshine, moonshine, and sun bunny shiners, I’d have to say no. Every day is groundhog season is groundhog season down here in Southern California.
WATM: Despite being quintessentially SoCal, your label has attracted quite a following on the East Coast. Why do you think this is? What makes WOR attractive to such a broad market?
Klotz: I don’t know. But you put it right: Quintessentially SoCal.
WATM: How would you describe the Warriors of Radness dude? What sets him apart from the typical Billabong-wearing surf crowd?
Klotz: The WOR crowd as opposed to the Sillybong-wearing crowd? More fun, more beer, more chicks, more parties, bigger lines, bigger balls, and bigger bongs.
Warriors of Radness Spring/Summer 2012 Collection
WATM: For a surf brand, Warriors of Radness carries a price tag some beach bums can’t afford. How would you respond to someone who thinks the clothes are just too expensive?
Klotz: The price of the clothes are relative to the quality and cost of producing right here in Southern California U.S.A. If you want something cheaper, go to a surf store and buy something from Billabong made in a remote area of China or Bangladesh or some other country on the fringe of the earth where there’s no beaches but plenty of child labor.
WATM: If you had to pick, what would you say are a couple of your favorite pieces form the Spring/Summer 2012 collection?
Klotz: The Beach Jacket which is a faded denim baseball jacket, the Rebels Crew which is a faded fleece short sleeve crewneck sweatshirt and looks like I left it in the sun too long, and the Beach Parka Jacket.
Warriors of Radness Spring/Summer 2012 Collection
WATM: Warriors of Radness has also just released a diffusion line called WOR. Can you tell us more about this? What influenced your decision to expand the label?
Klotz: WOR wasn’t a diffusion label at all! How dare you call it a diffusion label! I’m gonna kick sand in your face when I see you! It was just a separate part of the line where we could start experimenting with some different styling ideas.
WATM: Warriors of Radness was recently nominated for Best New Menswear Designer by GQ and the CFDA. Did this come as a surprise? How did it feel to be in the running alongside labels like Alexander Wang, Patrik Ervell and Michael Bastian?
Klotz: Yes, it was a total surprise cause I didn’t even know that nomination existed. It was rad. It was very rad. Those other designers make some pretty rad stuff. And the whole experience was bitchin’. The GQ people and offices are the greatest people, though I would have like to have spent more time on the Teen Vogue floor of the Conde Nasty building. Teens are very in vogue right now.
WATM: What can we expect from Warriors of Radness in 2012? Are there any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
Klotz: Can’t mention yet, but for your information it’s gnarly. Very gnarly.
