Apr 28, 2010 - 10:38 AM
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Head designer Mike Dytri, formerly of men’s clothing brand Subfreakie, partnered with Willard Ford of furniture design company Ford&Ching, to start Ludwig in late 2007. Mark Schlosser, formerly of X-Large, came on board months later to hash out the sales end. Together, these three are a superlative salad of industry experience, design aptitude and primal creativity.
Dytri’s affinity for fashion began in junior high when the creative nature of his after school diversions--break dancing and “doing stuff with spray cans” (which we commonly call graffiti)--didn’t mesh well with the stiff consistency of his Catholic school uniform. He found himself buying the quality he sought from department stores, then customizing his purchases at home to add flavor. Today, that combination translates into Ludwig’s slender prep school silhouettes cut from quality fabric, with a grown-up use of color.
“The Droogs would definitely be into it,” says Dytri, referring to a group of characters in the violent 1971 Stanley Kubrick film, A Clockwork Orange. The line is also a tribute to, and got its namesake from, 18th Century composer Ludwig Van Beethoven, who lost his hearing midpoint in his career. Beethoven still wrote and composed himself into near notoriety, with critics claiming he was arrogant to pursue music though he could not hear--a fact Dytri thrives off of.
The combination of both creative inspirations jointly manifests as Ludwig’s logo, which features the addition of Alex de Large’s (the main character in A Clockwork Orange) iconic bottom eyelashes and bowling hat on a standard Beethoven bust. In the film, Alex de Large is pleased, and strangely, provoked by the musician’s 5th and 9th symphonies, and a poster of Beethoven hangs in his room. “It seemed like such a natural pairing,” Dytri says, “to merge the color and design of A Clockwork Orange, with the abstract originality of Beethoven.”
They’re dressing Droogs! In a way. While that clique is not role-model material in most regards, there is no argument that the ruthless bruisers were drenched in originality, audacity and style. Dytri strives to attract an audience with similar characteristics. “I wanted people to get the concept faster. It took longer than I expected, but once they get it, those people become loyal followers,” says Dytri. “Ludwig attracts personalities of those who like to speak their own voice. True individuals.”
Dytri admits he used to follow the same strategy that he sees dictating many names in street wear today. Those cool guys with the L.A. all-access passes are, “chasing their own tails,” according to him. “I used to do that, constantly follow what others are doing. But you have to follow your own creative process,” he says. “Express yourself honestly and it will resonate with people and you’ll have an audience.”
Once the brand gains more traction, they plan to add leather zip wallets, belts, hats, and backpacks to their cut and sew and limited screen print repertoire, which are sure to exhibit the same quality and originality Ludwig has planted its feet in thus far.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously…we float around. It’s a different genre, and we’re not afraid to look un-cool,” Dytri says. While it speaks to the humility of the people behind the brand, that’s not really a valid concern.
For more on Ludwig, visit www.ludwigvantheman.com. Check out their spring line, available now on Karmaloop.
Summer Sewell was a pirate in a past life and has the sailing skills, thoughtless tattoos and disgraceful dialect to prove it. She could never hold captives, but ransom would be rent. Sriracha is her favorite color.
Anna Elledge is a freelance contributor to Oh Dang!
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