The Man Behind Travis Scott's Early Years Hard-Launches His Brand
Still Kelly might be Marc Kalman’s debut brand, however, that certainly doesn’t mean he’s entering the project bereft of experience. The New York-based creative has been quietly honing his craft for years, and collaborating with some big names in the process.
The creative director cut his teeth working with Travis Scott, helping to form the American musician’s album artwork, merchandise, and collaborations, setting the visual tone and thematic language for each project.
Plus, he’s worked behind the scenes at publications such as The New York Times or on projects like Milk Studio's Made Fashion Week, amassing many A-list contacts on the way – you can find the likes of Steve Lacy, Zack Bia, and the late Virgil Abloh on the follower list of his Instagram account. Oh yeah, not to forget he’s also Bella Hadid’s ex.
But, beyond that, there’s little information available about Kalman’s professional life. He’s a private figure — with a private Instagram account and little online presence — making Still Kelly a rare public artistic venture. And it’s a very personal one, featuring graphic prints with baby pictures and portraits of his mother.
“Still Kelly is for the slow burners. Good things take time, and we took our time,” Kalman tells Highsnobiety. “It started with The Kelly Hoodie and from there we’ve been building the blocks for the collection — perfecting the fits, developing our own fabrics and obsessing over every graphic. Still Kelly is an invitation to be your own muse.”
Officially launched in 2020 with a graphic hoodie that swiftly sold out, Still Kelly’s first menswear collection, titled Boyish, is now being unveiled. It’s available exclusively through Canadian retail giant SSENSE — an impressively established partner to get on board for a debut collection.
Boyish is a well-rounded release, ranging from a technical nylon jacket, honoring one worn by Liam Gallagher at a fashion show in 1997, to elevated workwear and ribbed knitwear.
Plus, there are some big, baggy shorts in the mix, a style Kalman made headlines through wearing in street-style snaps while dating Bella Hadid.
The shin-grazing shorts in question are made from dark, American-made denim with contrast stitching and a convenient little pocket on the thigh — there are also baggy workwear pants in the same material.
This is our first introduction to Kalman’s highly personal new brand. And a press statement hints toward there being more stories Kalman wants to tell through clothing: “Still Kelly is Kalman’s autobiographical love-letter to the self, a coming of age story told in reverse,” it says.
This overwise private creative is ready to tell his story.
