Colm Dillane on art, ambition, and growing KidSuper

Colm Dillane, the founder and creative mind behind KidSuper, is redefining what it means to be a fashion designer in 2025. Once a promising soccer player while studying at NYU, Dillane has channeled his love of sport, art, and absurdist humor into a brand that intersects with culture, community — and chaos. Rooted in Brooklyn, with a studio that doubles as a playground for wild ideas — from indoor tornados to rooftop soccer fields — KidSuper isn’t just a clothing label. It’s a creative universe where nothing is off-limits. In this candid conversation with Jing Daily, Dillane discusses the tension between creativity and scaling a business, his obsession with problem-solving as a pathway to innovation, and how he’s using fashion as a launchpad for collaborations that span comedy, sports, art, and now, automobiles. Whether it’s building a soccer pitch on top of his studio for his latest Puma collaboration or staging a comedy show at New York’s Apollo theater, Dillane continues to turn his bucket list into business. As he eyes Asia for KidSuper’s next physical store, Dillane remains grounded by the same ethos that started it all: create with people you like, and have fun while doing it. Jing Daily (JD): What’s on your mind these days? What are you working on? Colm Dillane (CD): Today’s just a meeting day. Every 10 seconds, I’ve got another meeting. It’s funny, you create a clothing brand thinking you’ll be this eccentric artist, but now it’s meetings nonstop. It’s tough to balance being an artist and running a brand. JD: How do you make space for creativity amid all that? CD: For me, it’s about being alone, no distractions. I need time and quiet to let ideas come. I’m most creative around 2 a.m., actually. JD: What are some ideas that have come to you at 2 a.m.? CD: Most of my fashion shows. One had a tornado. One was a theater play. One was a comedy show. Another was based on string theory. Fashion demands constant reinvention, and that pushes me to keep thinking in new directions. JD: Your shows thrive on unpredictability and humor. How do you keep creativity fresh in a data-driven industry? CD: I see creativity as problem solving. I give myself new problems constantly, and that leads to new solutions. Since fashion touches art and music, and the world keeps changing, there’s always space for something new. JD: Can you talk about some new mediums or concepts you’ve explored? CD: I love new projects. KidSuper’s given me the chance to work with people I used to dream about collaborating with. I got to speak with top comedians, build a tornado indoors — stuff I never imagined. It feels like checking off a bucket list. JD: Tell me more about the rooftop soccer field. CD: I’ve got this big building in Brooklyn. The roof wasn’t ready for a soccer field, so I moved the AC units, built the floor — now we have a small-sided field. I grew up playing soccer, so this was a dream come true. We’re going to have a league, film content, and use it for all kinds of things. JD: Sports and fashion seem increasingly linked. What’s your take? CD: Everyone’s copying me! I was an athlete before a designer — a real soccer player. Now everyone’s doing soccer collabs. For me, it’s always been about fulfilling childhood dreams. JD: From a business standpoint, how do you balance scaling with authenticity? CD: It’s hard. In the beginning, there’s freedom to try stuff. No pressure. Now there are sales projections and overheads. But each stage has pros and cons. JD: Any advice for young designers entering the space? CD: Don’t wait for the perfect product. Just release it. You won’t know what’s good until you get feedback. Releasing helps you meet people, learn, and grow. Just start and don’t stop. JD: As an Asia-focused publication, we’re curious — how has KidSuper been received in Asia? CD: I’m always wondering what people think of me — both in Asia and the West. From the U.S., we see Japanese brands as high quality and cool. Maybe Asian consumers see American brands as authentic or edgy? I hope there’s mutual respect. JD: Any favorite Asian designers or brands? CD: Yohji Yamamoto. BAPE — we’re doing a collaboration with them. Comme des Garçons. Korean brands like Thug Club and Ader Error. Sometimes the names don’t sound Asian, so you’re not sure. But the quality and creativity out of Asia is amazing. JD: You’re known for community events like your annual costume party. What role do those gatherings play in the KidSuper universe? CD: I don’t think of them as business moves. I just want to do fun stuff. People support that kind of authenticity. JD: What’s still on your bucket list? CD: The rooftop soccer field was huge. I want to break into TV and film and do more art shows. I’m working on one for the end of this year. You just reminded me — I gotta get writing. JD: Do your creative processes across different mediums stem from the same place? CD: Yeah. Problem solving, deadlines, and personal goals drive me. I put myself in situations where I have to decide, and the ideas come from there. JD: Any plans to open a store in Asia? CD: That’s the dream. Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul — any of those cities would be incredible. Jing Daily presents Jing Masterminds — a fortnightly, exclusive interview series profiling today’s most iconic names in art, fashion, commerce and culture. Delving deep into their personal journeys, creative processes, business strategies and societal impacts, the series offers readers an intimate look at the lives and minds shaping our industries.

Colm Dillane on art, ambition, and growing KidSuper

On this page

Published April 04, 2025

Sectors

Insights

Company

Colm Dillane on art, ambition, and growing KidSuper