Like a line of skinny models on a catwalk, Austin Fashion Week 2010 marches on. And while many of the designs might be beautiful to look at, my heart is in street wear–plus, I’m not sure how good I’d look in a dress. With that in mind, I asked my buddy Joah down at Sneak Attack to set me up with a good men’s street wear company. His choice: Austin’s Kirin Clothing Collection.

Founded in 2004 by Steven DeBose, Kirin Clothing Collection is perfect for a city as eclectic as Austin. Combining dancehall, hip hop, rock and skater aesthetics, their designs are perfect for the social chameleon. Plus, there’s something a little edgy about the way they distress the prints.

Check out Kirin Clothing Collection’s take on a classic Houndstooth. It’s a little punk rock, right?

But it’s not just their printing techniques that are a lil punk: Kirin Clothing Collection’s theme this season is creation and destruction. Inspired by Eddie Murphy’s line in Holy Man, “Why do we yawn at creation but thrill at destruction?”,  many prints incorporate images taken from 20th Century warfare.  By transforming these symbols of hate and violence into fashion, Kirin forces us to question our own fascination with destruction.

This double-sided print includes skulls from Pol Pot’s genocide in Cambodia:

This piece turns the Japanese Rising Sun flag into a really dope design:

For the more conservative set, Kirin Clothing Collection also has some basic prints, like this v-neck:

SCORE: You can find Kirin Clothing Collective designs at Sneak Attack on 2nd or hit em up online.

WATCH: Check out the 4-minute video from our visit with Darren Griffin and Steven DeBose from Kirin Clothing Collection to see more of this season’s prints and learn more about their inspirations behind the prints.

What do you think about Kirin Clothing Collection’s designs?

Is war imagery to hardcore to put on t-shirts?

Who are some of your favorite Austin-area menswear or street wear designers?

.

Like what you see? Be our friend on Facebook. Add our RSS feed! [what’s that?]. Start your morning with Republic of Austin in your InBox. Or read us 24-7 on Twitter!

Related posts:

1. Pictures of Eco-clothing at Keep Austin Beautiful Fashion Show PLUS more about Austin designer Rene Geneva
2. It’s too hot for clothes. What are Austin’s summer swim wear trends for 2010? [PICTURES]
3. Will a Queer Bomb destroy Austin in 2010?
4. Rene Geneva brings Eco-Chic Clothing to Austin Fashion Week 2009
5. Your Winners For 2010 The Roaries–Austins OTHER Music Awards