Hats off to Von Dutch
When Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie tried working as Arkansas milkmaids in an episode of their reality show “The Simple Life,” things ended badly, with the pair soaked in spilled milk. But their orange camouflage Von Dutch truckers’ caps made an impression. Within hours, the hats were selling on eBay for three times their retail value.
The Von Dutch brand, named for a seminal L.A. car customizer, has hit critical mass. Von Dutch, whose real name was Kenny Howard, was a father of the 1960s “kustom car” craze. Howard, who was raised in Maywood, California, and died at 63 in 1992, virtually invented the free- style pin-striping and painted flames that became the signature of the uniquely Southern California car subculture. His family nickname was “Dutch” - given to him early on by relatives who found him as stubborn as a Dutchman.
The craze started 10 months ago, after Justin Timberlake wore a Von Dutch hat to the Grammy’s after party. Fred Durst, Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears and other Hollywood types soon tagged along, and pretty soon the truckers’ hat had become a kind of anti-status status symbol. Prices go from $42 to $125.
The hats are made in a variety of fabrics, including terry cloth, velvet, leather, denim and faux Dalmatian fur. Each design is limited to a run of 1,000, which helps fuel demand. On eBay last year, more than 20 Von Dutch hats sold for $900 plus.
Von Dutch also designs t-shirts, jeans and boiler suits.
Text: Sarah John-Lewis
i wore a von dutch t shirt some weeks ago and i have seen a terific impact it has given to person i think it is a good feeling.von dutch is a good fashion designer.
If you don’t know who Von Dutch is, don’t wear the hat or drink the drink, or buy the t-shirt. He would have hated to see his name and artwork stretched across some socialite’s chest. It’s a shame that this is how a true legend is honored.