Warren Lotas
{{Short description|American streetwear company}}
{{Orphan|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Warren Lotas
| logo = WL Logo Transparent.png
| type = Private
| industry = Streetwear
| founded = 2018
| hq_location = Los Angeles, CA
| area_served = North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia
| products = Clothing, Shoes, Accessories
| website = warrenlotas.com
}}
Warren Lotas is a Los Angeles–based streetwear company. Started in 2014 and incorporated in 2018, Warren Lotas is best known for its graphic-heavy T-shirts and hoodies.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=23 Underground Clothing Brands You Need to Know |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/23-underground-clothing-brands-know-220000254.html |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}} While most items are sold via E-commerce, Warren Lotas also has a retail store location in Los Angeles, and its clothing can be found in luxury department stores around the world.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-05 |title=Maxfield LA Enlists Long Lineup of Collaborators for 50th Anniversary |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/11/maxfield-la-50th-anniversary-collaborations |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Hypebeast}}
History
The Warren Lotas brand, created by its eponymous designer, began in Boston under the name BILL by Warren Lotas. Designing from his college dorm room, Lotas became interested in DIY punk style, distinguishing himself with signature skeletal motifs and handwritten calligraphy, as well by applying unique treatments such as slashing, distressing, and burning, to reappropriated garments.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-06 |title=BILL by Warren Lotas' Founder Describes His Inspiration for Young Entrepreneurs |url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/6/bill-by-warren-lotas-interview |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Hypebeast}}
In 2020, Warren Lotas was involved in a trademark infringement lawsuit with Nike over a reinterpreted SB Dunk Low.{{Cite web |last=Hays |first=Kali |date=2020-10-16 |title=Streetwear Brand Warren Lotas Closes Site Amid Nike Lawsuit |url=https://wwd.com/feature/warren-lotas-streetwear-site-shutdown-sued-over-nike-dunks-copies-1234637297/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=WWD |language=en-US}} The parties settled claims shortly after the suit became public.{{Cite web |title=Nike Settles With L.A. Streetwear Brand Over Alleged Fake Shoes |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/nike-settles-with-l-a-streetwear-brand-over-alleged-fake-shoes |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=news.bloomberglaw.com |language=en}} The case was recognized for its role in the discussion as to what extent a bootleg sneaker is a knockoff versus homage.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-12 |title=Are These Sneakers Knockoffs—or High-Art Homage? |url=https://www.gq.com/story/nike-dunk-pigeon-knockoff |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Jacob |date=2021-04-12 |title=‘Satan Shoes,’ Nike Lawsuits and the Booming Sneaker Bootleg Market |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/satan-shoes-nike-lawsuits-and-the-booming-sneaker-bootleg-market-11618239494 |access-date=2023-11-07 |issn=0099-9660}}
Since 2021, Warren Lotas has collaborated with the NBA on numerous arena-exclusive clothing releases.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-08 |title=Utah Jazz dropping limited edition Warren Lotas merch collection this Saturday |url=https://www.abc4.com/news/utah-jazz-dropping-limited-edition-warren-lotas-merch-collection-this-friday/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=ABC4 Utah |language=en-US}}
In 2022, Warren Lotas opened its first flagship retail location in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-29 |title=Why Fashion Still Loves NFTs |url=https://www.elle.com/fashion/a40452926/why-fashion-still-loves-nfts/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}}
Style
Warren Lotas’s style is most widely recognized for its graphic-heavy designs inspired by punk, motorcyclist, and Western cinema aesthetics. Flames and skeletal figures are common motifs across many designs. Corresponding to some styles are fictional narratives, either digital or written on physical cards, that contextualize designs and the characters within them, as exemplified by the “Port Royal” theme of the Warren Lotas website.{{Cite web |title=Warren Lotas |url=https://warrenlotas.com/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=warrenlotas.com |language=en}}
Warren Lotas is also known for a sports catalogue via partnerships with the NBA, NFL,{{Cite web |date=2022-04-24 |title=The NFL Is Giving Team Fan Gear the Warren Lotas Treatment |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/warren-lotas-nfl-mitchell-ness-collab-release/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Highsnobiety |language=en}} and college sports.{{Cite web |title=CLC and Warren Lotas Have Teamed Up to Introduce a Fashion Collection that is Co-Branded with Colleges and Universities |url=https://www.collegiatelicensingworld.com/collegiate-licensing-news/clc-and-warren-lotas-have-teamed-up-to-introduce-a-fashion-collection-that-is-co-branded-with-colleges-and-universities |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Collegiate Licensing World |language=en-US}}
Recalling the handcrafted origins of the brand, Warren Lotas produces handmade, one-of-one pieces that are often worn by celebrity Hip-Hop artists or athletes.{{Cite web |date=2017-11-13 |title=Travis Scott Wears One-Of-A-Kind READYMADE x Warren Lotas Jacket to 2017 MTV EMAS |url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/11/travis-scott-custom-readymade-warren-lotas-jacket-2017-mtv-emas |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Hypebeast}}
= Collaborations =
Warren Lotas regularly collaborates with musical artists, business-to-consumer companies,{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=Dave |title=How TRUFF Embraced Partnerships For Growth |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveknox/2023/04/19/how-truff-embraced-partnerships-for-growth/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Forbes |language=en}} and other streetwear brands.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-13 |title=Fear of God Teams up With Warren Lotas for an Exclusive Capsule Collection |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/5/fear-of-god-warren-lotas-exclusive-capsule-collection-release |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Hypebeast}}
Most notably, Warren Lotas collaborated with The Weeknd in 2019 on an exclusive XO collection.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-01 |title=Warren Lotas and The Weekend Devise Bespoke XO Capsule Collection |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/4/warren-lotas-the-weekend-xo-collaboration-merchandise-release |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Hypebeast}} The two teamed up again for Super Bowl LV in 2021.{{Cite web |last=mahadevan |first=tara |title=The Weeknd Announces Super Bowl Merch with Jeff Hamilton, Warren Lotas, and Wilson |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/the-weeknd-super-bowl-merch |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} Warren Lotas also collaborated with Dodge in 2021 on an SRT collection.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-29 |title=Warren Lotas + The Brotherhood of Muscle Team Up |url=https://www.dodgegarage.com/news/article/showcase/2021/04/warren-lotas-the-brotherhood-of-muscle-team-up.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Dodge Garage |language=en}} In 2022, Warren Lotas and Bad Bunny collaborated on Un Verano Sin Ti-themed T-shirts and hoodies.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-20 |title=El Conejo Malo Style: The Hottest Bad Bunny Merch to Get Online Now |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/el-conejo-malo-style-best-000000181.html |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}
Warren Lotas has held numerous sports-themed releases in collaboration with the NBA, NFL,{{Cite web |last=Palmieri |first=Jean E. |date=2022-04-25 |title=NFL Teams With Streetwear Artist Warren Lotas |url=https://wwd.com/menswear-news/mens-sportswear/nfl-streetwear-artist-warren-lotas-1235164698/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=WWD |language=en-US}} and Collegiate Licensing Company.
References
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