Rob Kardashian Introduces Arthur George

Photography by Regina Arriola; Photos: Seth Browarnik on December 11th, 2012 in Bal Harbour Shops, Celebrity, Creative, Fashion

Rob Kardashian

Bal Harbour, FL – December 10, 2012 – It’s no secret that Kardashian has become a household name, and that of the four famous Kardashian siblings we’ve all come to know well (via their reality TV show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians Robert Kardashian has somehow seemed to bypass the intense spotlight that his sisters have been subject to. But now, that may all be changing.

With the debut of Arthur George, Rob’s fashion-forward men’s sock line—available exclusively at Neiman Marcus stores—the TV personality-turned-designer is garnering a great deal of attention from industry insiders, media and Kardashian fans everywhere.

With a parade of young girls pining for a chance to meet Rob at Neiman Marcus in Bal Harbour Shops yesterday, we caught up with the young designer to learn more about his new endeavor, and what it’s like to bear his famous last name.

Q: At the risk of sounding blasé, I’m still dying to know—why socks?

A: Just because I really do want to be involved in the fashion industry, and socks are just the beginning for me. I don’t want to put too much on my plate and it’s just simple. I do love socks, and I am very passionate about crazy colors and designs, and I think a lot of guys right now do care about that. So this is my stepping stone into the fashion world.

Q: Which designers do you admire as far as a career path is concerned?

A: Ralph Lauren and Tommy [Hilfiger]. Ralph Lauren did start with ties, and I definitely want to emulate that down the road, but I want to start small. I am going to start designing pajamas and boxers soon, and I’m working on a clothing line with Tommy Hilfiger right now.

Q: Your sisters have tackled womenswear, do you think you’ll transition into women’s as well?

A: I’ll leave it to them. I do care about women’s fashion, probably more so than men’s, because I look at everything. I am really into fashion in that sense, but I will never do that.

Q: The patterns on the socks are very bold and colorful, what inspires you as a designer?

A: Anything, really. If I see wallpaper that I like, like at the Beverly Hills Hotel, I’ll take a picture of it and somehow change it and make it wild. This line right now is very bright because I really want to differentiate myself from the other brands. Our next run will be subtle so that customers can see our variety. They will always be very crazy though, and fashion forward.

Q: That being said, to whom do you think this line speaks to?

A: Nowadays I see a lot of athletes and young kids wearing crazy patterns. A lot of my friends wear them, and even young girls. My little sisters wear them all the time. We’re doing women’s socks, leggings and tights as well.

Q: Your family spends a lot of time in Miami, could you see yourself living here?

A: I don’t like to be here often because I party way too much! I love it, this is my second favorite place, but L.A. is home and it’s calm.

Q: So how many socks have you packed with you on this trip?

A: Oh, wow. I buy so many, even if it’s not my brand. My line isn’t even perfect, and that’s the beauty of it. You can change it, change the lengths, change the designs, the packaging—there is so much that has already been changed that you haven’t even seen yet that I am so excited about.

Q: Have you had any mentors along the way?

A: Not really yet. There have definitely been people who have been mentors to me throughout but currently I am building the brand so there’s time for that.

Q: With the name Arthur George, the brand doesn’t necessarily have the Kardashian stamp, so to speak. Why?

A: Yeah, on the packaging it says Rob Kardashian on the side but I’ve decided to change that. Now it will say Robert Kardashian on the front, but it’s not big and bold. I can’t get away from it, it’s my name and I am the only guy that keeps that last name, but I just really wanted to stray away from the Kardashian brand and I wanted to differentiate myself. I think Arthur George has longevity, and the Kardashian brand has longevity but it just makes sense for me and I’m more comfortable with it this way. I don’t love the whole Kardashian light, but I love the opportunities that it has brought to the table.