K-SWISS Celebrates 60 Years Of Heritage And New York Street Culture With ‘Black Karats’
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By PAGE Editor
Heritage and cultural influence take center stage as K-SWISS continues its 60th anniversary celebrations with the introduction of “Black Karats,” the second installment of its K-Swiss Racquet Club (KSRC) collection. Led by creative director Anwar Carotts the latest release brings together three distinctive silhouettes in a Black, White, and Gold palette, paying tribute to the brand’s six-decade history and the communities that continue to shape its relevance in streetwear.
The collection features the Classic 66, Before the Classic, and Konejo, each offering a different interpretation of the brand’s design legacy. For Carrots, the concept behind Black Karats extends beyond a commemorative color story. Drawing on the symbolism of gold as a representation of longevity, value, and permanence, the collection explores what it means to preserve heritage while introducing familiar designs to a new generation.
At the center of the release is the Classic 66, which pays homage to Bahr Brown and his longstanding influence on New York's creative community. As the founder of Everything Must Go in East Harlem and later Bahr None Agency, Brown has helped connect creatives, brands, and communities across fashion, sneakers, skateboarding, and music. The collaboration recognizes his contributions to street culture while bringing together creative perspectives from New York and Los Angeles.
“I’ve always believed that you don’t have to reinvent something great to give it new life,” says Carrots. “Sometimes it’s about understanding its roots and introducing it to a new generation through a different perspective.”
The remaining silhouettes continue the anniversary narrative through archival references and contemporary detailing. The Before the Classic arrives in Black and Gold, distinguished by 60th anniversary embroidery, while the Konejo extends the collection's monochromatic approach with additional gold accents.
The release also builds on Carrots' longstanding relationship with K-SWISS, which began in 2018 with interpretations of the Made in Japan Classic 66 and Si-18 International. His ongoing role as KSRC creative director reinforces a shared interest in cultural storytelling, community, and the enduring appeal of classic footwear.
“For me, Black Karats is about recognizing the value in where we come from, the people we create with, and the culture we continue to cultivate,” Carrots explains. “Sixty years later, we’re still finding new ways to make a classic feel fresh.”
With Black Karats, K-SWISS makes a case for heritage as something that continues to evolve rather than remain fixed in time. The KSRC 60th Anniversary Drop 2 collection arrives November 19 at K-SWISS.com, with the Classic 66 and Before the Classic retailing for $120 and the Konejo for $135.
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K-SWISS celebrates six decades of footwear heritage with its Black Karats collection, a three-silhouette release curated by Anwar Carrots that honors New York streetwear pioneer Bahr Brown while connecting the brand's archival designs with a new generation of sneaker culture.