CultureShift: Detroit fashion designer Ken Walker to showcase new clothing line in Italy
The K. Walker Collective will be part of Pitti Immagine Uomo — a global event highlighting men’s fashion — Jan. 9-12 in Florence, Italy.
Models wearing items from the K. Walker Collective.
Native Detroiter and fashion designer Ken Walker will travel to Italy to showcase his upcoming clothing line.
In collaboration with the fashion collective Detroitissimi and sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the K. Walker Collective will be part of an interactive booth experience at Pitti Immagine Uomo — a global event highlighting men’s fashion — Jan. 9-12 in Florence, Italy.
Listen: Designer Ken Walker discusses expanding Detroit’s fashion influence globally
Established in 2018, the K. Walker Collective specializes in essential clothing and accessories tailored for change-makers and fashion icons in the making.
The Detroit School of Arts graduate says the city has always been a place for fashion — and now it’s time to spread Detroit’s style internationally.
“I do think that Detroit has always been this trailblazing city for fashion. We just haven’t got the recognition for it,” Walker said on CultureShift. “So to be a part of that has been incredible from every standpoint.”
Walker opened his flagship store in 2022, becoming the first private label brand in Midtown Detroit’s Cass Corridor.
Walker is also a professor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. He believes it’s important for Detroiters, especially young people, see it’s possible to own a brand and the place that houses it.
“To have students not only look at me as like this professor…you have a business right down the street from the school,” said Walker. “So for me, it’s showing them that it’s possible, it’s accessible and that you can do it here in Detroit.”
Listen to CultureShift weekdays from noon to 2 p.m. ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
