Mishka Tees by Kern
To launch its Summer ‘08 Collection, Mishka will be unveiling a special capsule with internationally recognized photographer and culturally provocative filmmaker & video director Richard Kern. Composed of 4 striking portraits, the collection will offer buyers an intimate glimpse into some of Kern’s most infamous and adored female subjects. Images after the jump are not safe for work.
To launch its Summer ‘08 Collection, Mishka will be unveiling a special capsule with internationally recognized photographer and culturally provocative filmmaker & video director Richard Kern. Composed of 4 striking portraits, the collection will offer buyers an intimate glimpse into some of Kern’s most infamous and adored female subjects.
Images after the jump are not safe for work.
Born in 1954, Richard Kern is a widely acclaimed portrait artist who first came to prominence as a part of the underground cultural explosion in NYC’s East Village during the 1980s. Through his erotic films, featuring underground rock icons such as Lydia Lunch, Kembra Pfahler and Henry Rollins, Kern explored a deep interest in the aesthetics of extreme sex, violence and perversion. Often referred to as one of the fathers of Cinema of Transgression, Kern’s genius behind the lens led to further work with artists like Sonic Youth, King Missile and Marilyn Manson.
In the 1990s, Kern’s focus turned almost exclusively to still photography revolving around glamour, bondage and fetish models. He has since published 9 books of his unique photography including New York City Girls and is a regular contributor to a variety of international publications. Most recently, he also stars in Shot by Kern, a VBS. TV series for VICE Magazine that accompanies him on shoots at his Manhattan Studio.
Printed on 4 simple colors, the Kern for Mishka capsule illuminates the story of some of his most intriguing models including Lung Leg, a prominent scenster of the 1980s akin to Edie Sedgwick, that Kern can be accredited with discovering. To properly capture the collection, Mishka invited renowned erotic photographer Ellen Stagg – also a former Kern model – to shoot the special Look Book. Very much a disciple of Richard Kern, Ellen’s portfolio includes clients like VHI Publicity, I-D, Life, Mass Appeal, The Fader, MTV, Vogue, Interview and VICE Magazine to name a few.
To this day, Kern remains a quintessential element of what makes NYC’s art, film and music scenes so influential, inspiring and truly timeless. The collection featuring his work will be available at the Mishka Pop Up Shop in Williamsburg and other select stockists starting mid May. For a full list of retailers and upcoming details about the Summer ‘08 Collection, please visit www.mishkanyc.com.
