Streetsnaps: Kim-André Knutsen aka Minikim

When it comes to the next generation of athletes redefining conventional sport, look no further than Kim-André Knutsen aka Minikim.

Bridging the gap between adrenaline-induced sport, travel, and content creation, the South Korean-Norwegian, two-time death-diving world champion is known for his nail-biting vlogs. Hitting gravity-defying stunts from some of the world’s highest peaks, his 00NATION team — co-founded with three-time world champion Truls Torp — embraces the essence of performance in athleticism, and the collective is dedicated to connecting youths with action sports.

Fronting the latest installment of Streetsnaps, Hypebeast heads to Bologna, Italy to showcase the latest collaboration between iconic Italian high-performance sportswear brand Macron and supercar brand Automobili Lamborghini.

Aligned with a shared vision of high-performance design, cutting-edge technology, and style — whether innovative fabric or unmatched engineering — we take to the Automobili Lamborghini HQ as well as the bustling streets of the city where Minikim puts the collection to the test. “Your clothes should always add to your performance, never limit it,” he says on the importance of good quality garments as a competitive athlete.

Having announced their three-season partnership earlier this year, which includes outfitting Automobili Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse staff, the latest Macron Activewear range fuses both brand’s ethos’ and spotlights their shared heritage in Italian excellence. Boasting a range of garments from polo tops and sweatshirts to soft-shell waterproof jackets, each piece has been crafted to complement athletes’ needs from the track to the streets.

Designed for fitness, sport and leisure, the range offers items made from high-quality technical fabrics that guarantee comfort, durability, and freedom of movement. Inspired by the iconic colors of four Automobili Lamborghini models: “Apodis Orange,” “Vathys Blue,” “Turbine Green” and “Pasifae Purple” — the designs incorporate the hexagonal pattern reminiscent of the leather details of its seats as well as dual-branded elements to celebrate their long-standing legacy.

Continue to read more about Minikim’s journey and how style inspires his sporting endeavors.

Hypebeast: What drew you to death diving?
Knutsen: I’ve always been into sports, and extreme sports in particular, death diving was just one out of 100 sports I picked up. I think it comes from growing up in Norway, we’re used to being outside in nature, activity offers are limited and we were forced to be creative, so it’s about the fun you make for yourself together with friends.

How did you get into the sport?
I randomly met Truls, now my best friend, in Croatia back in 2016. We didn’t talk much but his skills in the sport inspired me to go home and practice. The crowd he gathered while jumping from the cliffs fired me up, so I gave myself a goal to come back next year and be the one everyone was watching.

What do you love most about it?
I love that it forces us to be in the moment. Life goes 1,000 miles per hour these days, and we’re always living in the future. Extreme sports that require 100% focus help you to be present and live in the now. One error and it can affect the rest of your life. It’s called extreme sport for a reason.

What inspired you to bridge the gap between content creation and sport?
I grew up watching Jackass and professional athletes document their stunts. I got a camera from a very early age and made edits to show friends and family before social media and “going viral” was a thing. It’s a perfect mix of combining my two passions: sports and sharing knowledge.

I also think the sport is very social media friendly. It all happens in a short time span and it’s just as impressive for all age groups. Most people can relate to the fear of heights, fear and pain of a belly flop, sprinkle a bit of acrobatics on top of that, and you have death diving.

“Your clothes should always add to your performance, never limit. If the clothes limit you from doing certain moves or reaching your full potential, it’s a quick trip to the nearest sports store.”

Why is performance wear essential in what you do?
You perform good when you feel good, and I feel good when I look good. Fashion has been a big part of my upbringing and still is. It’s a way to separate yourself from the crowd and truly express yourself in your own way.

I take inspiration from everything I see and consume. My head is wired in a weird way. I can see a runway piece or hear a song which then inspires me to make a new trick with a different style. It’s all about flow, style and elements of surprise.

What makes Bologna different from any other city?
Bologna is the first city I’ve been to and never wondered which country I’m in. Everything from the streets to the people to the air just screams Italy. The people were proud and the food was amazing. The streets were clean and it made me want to own a Automobili Lamborghini just so I could experience peak performance while driving through the beautiful landscape.

How do the Macron and Automobili Lamborghini brands align with your values?
I live in sportswear and my passion after sports is cars. I would say it’s a pretty spot-on collab for my taste. They’re all about performance and style — two words I can stand behind.

How did it feel when Macron first reached out about the project?
My first thought was that they must have contacted the wrong person! As an ex football player, Macron has always been up there with the bigger brands, so I thought they made a mistake by contacting me. But, it turned out to be correct, and from there on I was nothing but excited. I love motorsports and football, and Macron is always a logo that pops up regularly in both spaces. I’m proud to now have a small association with the brand and it’s legacy.

Favorite pieces from the Automobili Lamborghini x Macron Activewear collection?
I really love the long sleeve with side zipper and the light jacket. The sudden but stand-out hexagon design inspired by the Automobili Lamborghini grill was a no-brainer to me. It made the pieces look more exclusive and definitely added that hint of performance. It’s pieces that not everyone knows, but if you know you know.

How do the garments in this collection align with your needs as an athlete?
Your clothes should always add to your performance, never limit. If the clothes limit you from doing certain moves or reaching your full potential, it’s a quick trip to the nearest sports store for me. The clothes were stretchy and breathable but also warm. I can for sure see myself rocking some of these pieces as under layers when doing other sports like skiing as well.

Check out the Streetsnaps visuals with Minikim above. For more information on the Macron x Automobili Lamborghini partnership, and to shop the latest Activewear collection, check out the brand’s website.