On Monday night, Colm Dillane, the creator and designer of the KidSuper brand , took over the famed Apollo theater in Harlem, N.Y., for the third edition of his comedy show, Funny Business. Last January, shortly after his guest designer gig with Louis Vuitton had ended, Dillane opened the Casino de Paris music hall to some 1,500 fans and followers for a show hosted by Tyra Banks and an assortment of comedians wearing his fall collection.
Monday’s event was similar but with an unmistakable New York edge. The evening was hosted by actor, screenwriter and comedian Marlon Wayans and the comedians included DC Young Fly, Earthquake, Sam Jay, Deon Cole, Jeff Arcuri, Sam Morril and Kevin Herrera. The jokes centered around the nuances of the Black community that has long called Harlem home, but the crowd embraced the good-natured ribbing.
While the orchestra section was reserved for media, influencers and friends of the brand, KidSuper opened the upper tiers to the public who purchased tickets to attend. Some 900 tickets were available and they sold out within hours, Dillane said. The proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to Apollo Theater Foundation, a nonprofit that manages and funds the historic venue that opened in 1914.
“Showing at the Apollo is something you want to do before you die,” said Dillane, a New York native. “It’s such an iconic venue.”
Colm Dillane getting ready backstage before his show at the Apollo.
Not surprisingly, the comedians took the opportunity to take swipes at their outfits, with Earthquake, who stepped out in a long, faux fur coat, saying: “The goddamn kid got me dressed in a pimp outfit.” Herrera, who wore a patchwork suit and carried a complementary bag, said: “I’m the only one they made carry a pocketbook.”
Wayans — who changed each time he came out to introduce the next performer — arrived just before the show. “I just got off a plane and came to the fitting,” he said backstage. “I have 32 wardrobe changes, I feel like Beyoncé.”
Marlon Wayans relaxing on a KidSuper chair by Lovesac.
Some of what Wayans wore was from Dillane’s new collaboration with Puma that will launch on Sept. 21. The sports brand has been a longtime supporter of the KidSuper brand and this collection includes color-blocked track suits with a leaping cat logo as well as a reversible vest and puffer jackets covered in the custom mosaic pattern. There are also KidSuper Academy T-shirts and crewnecks and trapper hats and gloves.
The evening also served as an introduction to the new Lovesac collaboration , a limited-edition collection of home furnishings inspired by KidSuper’s trademark “kissing” print. The “Get Comfy With KidSuper” collection includes an accent chair, footrest, ottoman, pillow and hooded sweatshirt.
To introduce the collection, Dillane, his fictitious wife and kids, star in a commercial set in a fake living room filled with the Lovesac pieces that debuted during the Apollo event.
Colm Dillane in a track suit from the Puma collaboration as Jim Jones performs.
The show ended when Dillane joined Wayans and the cast on stage and said he was flying high, which opened the way for a surprise musical performance from Harlem legend Jim Jones, who performed his hit, “We Fly High.”
While other designers rely on the traditional runway show to introduce their collections, Dillane is always looking for new and innovative ways to showcase his line. Once again, he has succeeded.
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