After more than two decades shaping South African alternative music, Hunter Kennedy is stepping into some new shoes. Best known for his work as Fokofpolisiekar guitarist and lyricist and as a founding member of Die Heuwels Fantasties, Kennedy has launched a new apparel venture. Hunter Kennedy Co. extends Kennedy’s creative practice into an evolving lifestyle project, featuring apparel designed with the ethos “simple, clean, brutal”.
Hunter Kennedy Co is a collaborative effort between Kennedy and Chris “Bubs” Farber. The pair first met in 2001, and Kennedy worked at Farber’s skate shop before leaving to pursue music full time. “Now, after years of arguing and aligning, we find ourselves making shoes,” the duo say via their website. “Nobody thought it wise. So we’re doing it.”
Rather than a traditional merch rollout, the store was launched with an invite-only preview. Early glimpses of the S01E01 collection point to a shift away from band-adjacent merchandise toward a more considered offering. The minimalist streetwear line features t-shirts and hoodies, alongside custom sneakers marked by a split “Hunter” and “Kennedy” logo.
The launch comes alongside another evolution for Kennedy – his music. His debut English-language single, Waiting for Maria, was released late last year. Written before the birth of his daughter, the track shows a more restrained side to Kennedy. That same feeling carries into the clothing, with a focus on simplicity and everyday wearability.
Shop the collection on the Hunter Kennedy Co. official website.
