K-Swiss, a name synonymous with tennis culture and iconic footwear, is making a fresh, bold comeback with a creative helm none other than streetwear visionary Anwar Carrots. This exciting move marks a new era for the brand, reconnecting K-Swiss’s rich heritage with the pulse of modern culture through Carrots’ unique creative lens.
The Legacy of K-Swiss
Founded in 1966 by Swiss brothers Art and Ernie Brunner, K-Swiss began its journey importing tennis shoes from Kuenzli, a Swiss manufacturer. By 1972, the brothers launched their own line of tennis footwear, coining the brand name from the letter “K” in Kuenzli paired with “Swiss,” signalling a blend of Swiss craftsmanship and American innovation. Over the decades, K-Swiss became an iconic tennis shoe brand, known for clean, white sneakers that defined athletic and casual style.
Enter Anwar Carrots: Streetwear Meets Tennis Heritage
Anwar Carrots is no stranger to culture-defining streetwear. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and emerging on the scene in 2007 as the co-founder of Peas & Carrots International, he quickly earned a cult following for his vibrant creative direction. His eponymous label, Carrots by Anwar Carrots, launched in 2015 and has since become a beacon for bold graphics, vivid colours, and cultural storytelling.
His collaborations span from PUMA to Crocs and Walmart, proving his ability to fuse playfulness with thoughtful design on a global scale. Now, as Creative Director of the newly minted K-Swiss Racquet Club (KSRC), Carrots is tasked with steering K-Swiss’s narrative into a fresh cultural moment.
A Personal Connection to the Brand
For Carrots, this role is more than a job, it’s a personal mission. Reflecting on his childhood in Orlando, Florida, he recalls his father’s style, consistently anchored by crisp white K-Swiss sneakers. This intimate connection infuses the KSRC project with authenticity and passion two things that resonate deeply in today’s sneaker and streetwear communities.
“I’m not just collaborating, I’m contributing to the rebirth of a legacy. It’s always part of my vision to align with heritage brands that have real roots. My role now is about bringing heritage, culture, and clean white tennis shoes straight from my creative garden. I had to take it back – I placed my mind in 1998, back to being eight years old in Orlando, Florida. My dad used to rock K-Swiss heavy, and the way he’d coordinate his outfits with a fresh white pair was always clean to me. That memory is what shaped this collection.”
The KSRC Launch: Reinventing the Classics
Scheduled for launch on July 10, 2025, Anwar Carrots’ debut KSRC collection revisits K-Swiss classics with a fresh, innovative twist. The six initial models include:
- Konejo: A tech-runner inspired silhouette blending performance and style.
- Before the Classic: A low-profile, minimalist take on the beloved classic.
- SI-18 International C: Skateboarding-inspired bulk meets street-ready attitude.
- Gstaad Gold: Earthy workwear tones reinterpreted for modern wear.
- Classic 66: Sleek, glossy finish on the timeless silhouette.
- Slammklub: Bold red hues with gum soles delivering eye-catching contrast.
Each design exemplifies Carrots’ talent for remixing tradition with contemporary aesthetics, creating shoes that honor K-Swiss’s legacy while pushing its visual language forward.
What This Means for K-Swiss and Streetwear Culture
K-Swiss’s decision to appoint Anwar Carrots as Creative Director of KSRC signals a strategic embrace of sneaker culture. In an era where heritage brands seek relevance with younger, style-savvy consumers, Carrots brings the storytelling, street credibility, and fresh creative energy needed to revitalise the brand. For fans and sneakerheads alike, this is an invitation to experience K-Swiss anew, through the eyes of a designer who lives and breathes the culture, and whose own narrative is entwined with the brand’s past and future.