KAI KÜHNE

After graduating from high school in 1994, Kai began his studies in economics at the University of Hamburg, Germany.

One year later Kai was inspired to transfer to AMD, Academy of Fashion and Design, in Hamburg. There he studied fashion design and business. Several years later Kai signed with Ford Model Management in New York, while modeling, he attended the School of Visual Arts with studies in fashion photography and art history.

In fall 1998 he met his future design partners of “As Four” and his focus shifted to the creative consciousness of the International fashion design collective “As Four Future Planet of style”. In 1998, while still modeling, As Four completed its first collection, fall winter 99/2000, which they showed in a public school in Chinatown, New York.

In 2002 the design collective was rewarded with the Ecco Domani price. In the spring of 2005 the group along with Kate Spade, created a new label, “As Four Kate Spade”.

Shortly after that Kai separated from As Four and created his brand and subsequent label, “Myself”. Having grown since as an independent designer, Kai now has formed the namesake company, “Kai Kuhne”, which is currently the only label he designs. Having taken a brief repose of one season to streamline his business, now, with a fresh perspective he is focusing on classical design with a modern sophisticated avant-garde flair that reflects his artistic sensitivity. Kai meshes well with current trends but strives to be ahead of his time in a stunning juxtaposition of classic lines and modern silhouettes.

His courage to move away from the standard has allowed him to achieve a compelling elegance, infused with a soupcon of European flair.