Thread: Disgracing Von Dutch

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Is it just me, or is pop culture disgracing Von Dutch? I was watching TV yesterday and saw 2 musicians on MTV weraing Von Dutch "trucker Hats." Whats with that?! This has been bothering me fo a while, last year (my senior year in high school) I saw someone wearing a Von Dutch tee-shirt, so I approached the guy and asked him if he liked Von Dutch's work, the guy resonded that it was just the name of a clothing company. I'm usually not the kind of person to get mad, but the one thing in life I hate are posers. I greatly dislike these people that wear something, or do something simply becasue a "famous" person wears it/did it/. I'm not saying that I am not affected by trends, but when you are wearing someones name on your shirt, you should at least know who the person is!

Am I right about this, or no?

Here is a link to a site that sells this stuff, check it out, it actually cool stuff, but it is specifically being advertised as cool becasue its worn by the "stars"
http://www.celebfashions.com/

At least someone other than me cant stand this constant barrage of posers.

and I would NEVER wear anything Von Dutch without first living up to his legacy and being a damn-good pinstriper. But that's just me...

Comercialism pushes what it thinks is cool to make some dough. It doesn't care or have any respect who they use to do it!!

It has no idea, if it pushes hard enough, gets the right people wearing/doing it, anything will become 'cool'.

Whereas, somthing which is kool, is not comercialised, but the expression of someone who isn't pushed around by the swaying tides of comsumerism. Doing what they do best. Von Dutch made pinstriping on cars kool, by being different, he wasn't in it to make a buck.

Sorry just a soapbox of mine!

Outback

Oh yeah,
I've just recently picked up a sword and I'm starting to lay down some lines....... Long way to go though.....

Originally posted by stevet47
Is it just me, or is pop culture disgracing Von Dutch?

Am I right about this, or no?

Here is a link to a site that sells this stuff, check it out, it actually cool stuff, but it is specifically being advertised as cool becasue its worn by the "stars"
http://www.celebfashions.com/

stevet47, I agree with ya, but I guess it sells. Bottom line is just $$$$$$ to them. I would possibly buy something from them if it hit my hot button but for a different reason that we all share, respect for the art of Von Dutch, mainly because his name means alot more to me than $$$$ signs.
Now, if I could find a shirt with one of his trademark stripes like this one I'd buy it in a second:

Larry

Hey Stevet ----- I'm glad to see someone of your age standing up for a legend. I'm surprised that people still know who Von Dutch was (however I'm just getting back into rodding after close to 40 years and am not too well read on just who the pinstriping Gurus are today). I grew up in the San fernando valley in the 50's and met Von Dutch once. He used to pin stripe cars and bikes in the back of Bud Ekin's (another legend)Motorcycle shop. Even owned a bike for awhile that he striped. He was that BEST. Glad to see he's remembered. Happy New Year.

Thanks for the class on Von Dutch, I did'nt know who he was! I probably should have being that I took art for about 10 years.But I was never one to follow trends anyway.I would usually draw something out in the dust on my car or draw it onto a piece of paper, take it down to an airbrush artist and have them put it on my car that way it was always original.

Vegas

Kenneth Howard was a remarkable artist. He was also very eccentric. What's really remarkable is that he pretty much gave up the pinstriping in the late '50's, only doing it for friends afterward. His real passion became guns and knives. He believed metal was timeless, while paint would eventually fade. He had a little machine shop set up in an old city bus parked out near Calabassas, Ca. in the late '60's. If he didn't know you you weren't welcome. He was not kind to his body both chemically and hygenically..........................but a wizard none the less. Hopefully his daughters get a piece of the action from the clothing.

For those who want to send a counter message, here's a site that might appeal. http://www.vonsuck.com/

Here is a link to another conversation we had about this subject a while back...

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Howard

I think it is interesting to see a hot rod culture icon become a household name... On even a brighter note it gives us who know the work of Mr. Howard a chance to enlighten the masses... I know It has been a great conversation starter for me on several occasions...

Dave Brisco

You're right Dave. I know most of the people who buy the shirts have no idea who Von Dutch was. I ask if they're a fan of Von Dutch and then explain that he was the greatest pinstriping artist that ever lived. Then if someone asks them who's Von Dutch they can spread the legend.
That way the shirt becomes a tribute to Von Dutch instead of a disgrace.
And the ledgend grows.
AL

is the clothing Von Dutch actually suppose to be related to the pinstriper Von Dutch or is it that they just came up with a catchy name?. I think the trucker look is going to be going the same way as the heroin sheek look, and yes i hate posers, why can't you be you and i be me!