Who is Von Dutch?

[flatheadpete]

I was at Ridler award winner Dan Webb's shop today (gotta see the roadster he's building his daughter...kick ass!). I had my Von Dutch jacket on and we got talkin' bout the man himself. As a joke (he's got a million) Dan went into a local mall store advertising 'Coming Soon...Von Dutch'. He asked an employee who Von Dutch was. Her reply? "It's pronounced 'Von Dootch' and he is the biggest name in fashion design today." I bet Ken is turning in hid grave right now. WTF?

[Wowcars]

Take the fucking jacket, stuff it into a garbage can and light it on fire. The people makin the shit didn't even know who the real Von Dutch was. The girl was probably pronouncing it the way they say it, for all they know. Fashion design my ass.

[flatheadpete]

It's a cool jacket and...the wife baought it for me. I know who he is, I can pretty much bet everyone on this forum knows who he is (not was). That's all that matters. Anytime anyone asks, I'm more than happy to tell the TRUTH about who Von Dutch really is.

[briggs&strattonChev]

my uncle was over at my house and I was talking about cars and he was like "whats the name of the guy that makes clothes now that was a big drag racer in the 70's? I solemnly replied von dutch and walked away in dusgust. wow.

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
... Dan Webb's shop today (gotta see the roadster he's building his daughter...kick ass!).

[/ QUOTE ] Lucky girl.Have you got any pics of this roadster?The Thom Taylor rendering is in the latest American Rodder.

[DrJ]

If a person's invented reality makes them happier than the what's real than who's to say they aren't better off being happpy in their misconception?
Those of us who know what the grumpy old cantankerous antisocial alcoholic was really like have to deal with that ASSHOLENESS before admiring the work of the jerk for what it is on it's own merit.
The people who think he's like Tommy Holefinger are probabaly much happier people because of it.

[briggs&strattonChev]

interesting point of view DrJ.................

[MrExotica]

A while back, my wife & I stumbled through Nordstrom's at our local monstermall, and saw a nice display of Von Dutch, and she went ballistic. What impressed me the most is that she has only been a gearhead a short time. She won't get dirty & greasy, but she has the respect for a legend, and not the name that somebody bought.

Evidently, there is a VD store in downtown hoity-toidy area of Chicago. Real hotrod!

Something tells me Mrs. Roth won't let the same thing happen to Ed's name.

[Unkl Ian]

I visited a local "Automotive boutique" last week,(diecast cars,magazines,T-shirts etc.)and was suprised to see Von Dutch stuff was even more expensive than West Coast Choppers stuff.

[JamesG]

I saw the Von Dutch Trucker hats at the mall.....45.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF?!?!?!?!? It piss's me off that someones exploiting Kens name. I have a shirt of his I got back in 97 at a surfshop in Galevston, Texas. Now I feel kinds funny wearing it. I hope people dont think I'm some yuppy wannabe fuck fuck like the ones at the mall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[flatlandman]

Ok...I have seen this Von Dutch thing go on and on now for too long.
Here are the master minds behind "Von Dutch Garage Clothing". Find them and get it off your chest once and for all. Dig up the first issue of Hot Rod Deluxe (9/990 and read the whole story.

[av8]

Well said, DrJ!

[Toqwik]

A girl who works for me came in wearina a Von Dutch hat and shirt, said she paid 90 for the shirt, and 50 for the hat. She said she thought he was a fashion designer, like Tommy Hilfiger......I made her go home and change......To

[Rix2Six]

Somebody needs to make up copycat shirts that say "Ask me about the real Von Dutch" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[praisethelowered]

Tommy Hillfiger is nothing like the image that all of those fashion victims make him out to be. He is the real deal. A tough motherfucker and they just think he is some preppy posterboy. I'm sick of it.


On another topic- how can a person be a "gearhead" and also not get greasy? please explain. Actually don't.
Can someone please just start another board dedicated to V.D. whining?

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Tommy Hillfiger is nothing like the image that all of those fashion victims make him out to be. He is the real deal. A tough motherfucker and they just think he is some preppy posterboy. I'm sick of it.


On another topic- how can a person be a "gearhead" and also not get greasy? please explain. Actually don't.
Can someone please just start another board dedicated to V.D. whining?

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't get all uppity, I do wear T. H. clothes and shoes...

[praisethelowered]

Doctor, you need to research the MAN before you wear the clothes. Respect the legend not just the name somebody bought.

I was wearing T.H. back in the day and now I feel all wierd inside when I wear it because I am afraid people will think I am a poser like all those people who think Tommy is just a fashion designer.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Hey! I'm a fashion designer too, how come nobody talks about me? Still alive too, damn it. The Original Von Suck! (http://www.VonSuck.com)

[redmeat]

<font color="red"> As far as not spoiling Ed Roths name.......guess again ....there is a RAT CITY ale with Rat Fink as there logo...interesting seeing that Ed was a Morman and Mormans don't drink....HHHMMMMMM

R E D M E A T </font>

[praisethelowered]

Come to think of it Levi Strauss was a real guy too- I'm taking off my pants right now untill I learn more about him and earn the right to wear stuff with his name on it. Shit, now i'm cold.

[TINGLER]

I decided to put this shit to rest permanently.

I went out and dug Von Dutch up and tied him to my back with his arms around my neck. I wear the ORIGINAL....shitheads.
I am the MOST original mutha of them all. You shoulda seen the looks on their faces down at the mall.
They all went, "Is that the Original Von Dooosh?" I said," Yea chickadees, I am the ONE (Neo)". Then I bent down and with a raised fist I shot up into the sky with ol' KENNY flapping in the breeze from around my neck.

Agent Smith didn't know whether to shit or go blind.

We threw beer cans and wine bottles down on all the non believers....

JT.

[Bigcheese327]

[ QUOTE ]
Agent Smith didn't know whether to shit or go blind.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe it's because it's 2am, but I can't stop laughing at this. Frickin' hilarious. The best off-topic post ever.

[MoFoMOD]

I heard the same thing when "the Japs" bought MOONeyes, I heard it when WCC started getting big and now how Jesse is such and asshole now (not true) and When Dickies workwear was sold in high fashion stores for $50. Now I hear it with Von Dutch on a post here every other week. Who fucking cares, this is America if you dont like it, turn the page, change the channel or dont buy into it...

[littledeucecoupe427]

I know that feeling, most the Asian kids are wearing Von Dutch stuff at my colledge and they all drive modern cars so I couldn't really see the connection but I figured what the heck and I asked a coulpe who Von Dutch is and they said he was a Asian fasion designer because that is whats hot over there now and thats why they are wearing it here too! Boy that Asian/White/American/Von Dutch/Von Doouth Fasion designer/pin stripper/racer/brand name not a person/I have no idea/ why are you talking to me sure gets around http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Ryan]

I think if you guys knew the whole story behind VDO, you'd be amazed... Those rough looking fellas in the image above are no longer the owners of VDO although they are the fellas that gave the company such a bad name (they owe Russell like $7000?)

The people that own the joint now are European fashion designers with Hollywood reach. They bought the brand because they liked the logo and they had a shit load of denim to get rid of... They just did some good marketing and sat back and enjoyed the bank roll - they could give a shit what you or I think.

The name Von Dutch is no longer ours fellas. Give it up... And for fuck's sake, if I ever see another VDO related post I'm gonna slide a bullet in my head or some drastic shit like that...

[TINGLER]

Can we still talk about Von Dooosh? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[36-3window]

it's too bad that someone like ken howard(aka von dutch) has to be put through something like this after he is dead. i guess it's true that an artist isn't appreciated until they pass on...it's just that the people who now have discovered him suck

[Kinky6]

Von Dutch, and the continual re-interpitation of popular culture.....

I just have to bring up something from 10 or 20 years ago, long before the clothing line (TM). This may have been in a National Geographic. There is an area of coastal Africa where the burial customs include elaborately carved coffins that depict important events or influnces on the deceased's life. Someone who had taken a plane ride, when that was not common, might have a coffin carved to look like a jetliner.

A photographer was looking at the work of this craftsman, and saw one that looked like a F-100 panel truck, with mags and a flamed paint job. He asked about it, and the carver told him it was "Von Dutched".

Later, Kinky6 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[kritz]

alright, it pisses me off just as bad as the next guy(or girl)to see some yuppie college kid wearing a shirt, hat belt buckle etc...knowing full well that they have no idea who that dutch was infact a real person...but what can i do about it???? write angry letters to vdo?? shit, they could OWN me with the money they are raking in...
another option, carry a small tub of dirty ass old axle grease, motor oil, or better yet, one shot with me at all times, and smear it all over whatever vdo apparrel i happen to see (kinda like peta did with red spray paint and fur coats)....prolly not worth the potential jail time. no real good solution to this issue i guess....

i tattooed a kid last week that came in wearing a von dutch belt buckle...i asked him where he got the kenneth howard belt buckle from, he looked at me like i was crazy and snottily replied...uh, the mall. a few seconds of silence later, the kid sits bolt upright and says "holy shit!! you mean to tell me that von dutch is the guy that played richie cunningham on happy days?????!?! i gotta tell my friends about this!" some people.

[k-member]

Kinky6, I have that artical some wheres, but can't find it in my vast aray O shit. I want a T-shirt with the Ol bastard pickin his nose with his pinky finger that says "VonDutch Original stinky, alcoholic, knife &amp; GUN makin nosepicker!" to put a face with a name.

[Missing Link]

I am not going to rant and rave about this, well not too much. I try to learn from my mistakes. All I can say is that the people running VDO are in it for the money and really isn't that what it's all about. Granted, the scenario of using VonDutch in this manner would not be my way of making some bread, but someone did it and there is nothing we can do about it. And is there any reason to do something about it anyway? Is there any reason to be pissed off about it? I don't like the VDO stuff for the same reasons that most of you don't like it. I'm not an iconclast but I won't buy the products for the same reasons most of you won't. Regardless, it's all about making profit and I doubt there is anyone who doesn't want to make more money than they already have. The only problem is that VonDutch will be remember by the general populance as being a clothing designer instead of being remembered for his artisitic abilities and I believe that is what is rubbing everyone's rhubarb.

[ QUOTE ]
this is America if you dont like it, turn the page, change the channel or dont buy into it

[/ QUOTE ]

That quote pretty much says it all.

[Jester]

I myself didn't know much about Von Dutch and still I am no expert. I did however want to know more so I have been trying to do some research. All my buddies where Von Dutch patches but I refused to run one myself until I knew something about his life and work. Now that I know a little about him I will proudly wear his colors to show respect for someone who could break down the rules of what some consider normal and live life on his terms. The fact of the matter is that these yuppy dicks don't know, so my solution is to educate the ignorant. If you see someone with a t-shirt, belt buckle, jacket, ect. let them know just what it is they are showing off. They will either be smarter for the experience or take the apperal off, either way problem solved.

[4t64rd]

[ QUOTE ]
Somebody needs to make up copycat shirts that say "Ask me about the real Von Dutch" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Even better, a brief bio of Kenneth Howard on the back. Can it be legally done? Do the words "Von Dutch" together have a copyright?

[50mercfan]

there was a drummer on the cma awards last night wearing a von dutch leather braclet. and i started thinking the same thing you guys are talking about. doe's he know you kenny howard is? mabey he dose, i don't know. is it so bad that one of our legends is mainstream? it's only taken about 60 years of hot rodding to get there. i don't know if it's good or bad and that all depends on your own point of view. von dutch was a vissionary and an artist. not just a pin stripper. the pinstripping payed the bills. if stan betz is still around we need him to fill us in on dutch. they were very close for alot of years.

r.i.p. brother dutch
j.l. bachs

[truth]

Hey MoFoMOD - Have you ever gone to the Japanese Moon site? They sell all kinds of crazy things - like chrome german helmets with SS bolts on them - I was like what the fuck! They call it a surfer helmet, like they used to in the past.

[jeffro]

Not that my 2 cents mean anything here, but give it a rest. In another months or so, the bootlegger will be all over the VonDutch name and you too can buy VonDutch shirts 3 for 10 dollars. They're already starting to pop up! I mean lets be honest here. How hard do you really think it's gonna be to make a fake VonDutch trucker (MESH) hat? I'm talking pennies on the dollar here!

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
Tommy Hillfiger is nothing like the image that all of those fashion victims make him out to be. He is the real deal. A tough motherfucker and they just think he is some preppy posterboy. I'm sick of it.


[/ QUOTE ] Ralph Lauren is tough too.So is Karl Lagerfeld.And don't forget those two tough guys in Los Vegas with all the big Tigers. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[plan9]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey MoFoMOD - Have you ever gone to the Japanese Moon site? They sell all kinds of crazy things - like chrome german helmets with SS bolts on them - I was like what the fuck! They call it a surfer helmet, like they used to in the past.

[/ QUOTE ]

i think its a result from yrs of american pop culture (movies, tv shows, art) spreading to other countries... marketing braught to you by the same people doing von dutch stuff... and its just like americans sterotyping asians. ironic thing is, most americans probably believe its a surfer helmet too.

to reinforce this, ever watched jay leno walking around asking people SIMPLE questions about geography? ...ie. where is ireland?

[Rix2Six]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Somebody needs to make up copycat shirts that say "Ask me about the real Von Dutch" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Even better, a brief bio of Kenneth Howard on the back. Can it be legally done? Do the words "Von Dutch" together have a copyright?

[/ QUOTE ]

I dunno but you can probably do it if you do biographic info of Ken Howard a.k.a. Von Dutch. He is a "public figure" so fair use rules would apply. (Think little Ken Howard aka and BIG Von Dutch!) As long as we're not saying something that would be slanderous or libelous it should be ok.

[ray]

O.K. we all know that VDO sucks and all.

but while all you are bitching about von dutch, i bet half of you are wearing Levi's jeans.

i hope you bought them used.

you surely have heard about levi's announcing the closing of their LAST NORTH AMERICAN FACTORIES several weeks back. they are sending all of their production overseas. all of it. no american jobs, no canadian jobs. all being sent off.

VDO is fairly petty shit compared to this. Levi's deserves a boycott way more than VDO. the giant sucking sound of jobs leaving is gonna affect your life more than these shirts and hats!

[greaseball]

I wouldn't (publicly) wear "Von Dutch"
To save my life...

Some of you guys say you sport that shit because
"Those in the know, are the ones that know"....?

NO.

No one questions whether or not "Von Dutch" is a guy anymore...

It's just like saying "DISNEY"
Most people think of "Disney Land" or "(some crappy movie)"

Very FEW people think of OL' WALT

I need to get a PICTURE of KENNETH HOWARD
Silkscreened onto a SHIRT...
With the "LOGO"
"Von Whoo?"
Placed on it...

Now THAT I'd wear!

[badpat]

anybody have any suggestions about chopping a 54 chevy 2door post? SORRY TO HIJAAK THIS FASHION POST, THAT IS APPEARING FOR THE 1000 TIME, WITH A CAR RELATED QUESTION!!!!

[Lownwuf]

Who's Joe Lunchbox? I wanna shirt with his name on it.

[Nads]

In about six months Von Dutch Originals will be as old hat as Big Johnson wear. At that time Ken Howard will belong to all you 'Rat Rodders' again. Don't sweat it, Von Dutch will always live. Just like Devo and the B52s.

[ESnacky6]

I'm gonna buy everybody Von Dutch stainless 'steal' belt buckles for Xmas...

http://www.talentclothing.com/cgi-bin/ccp51/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F4825618&amp;rnd=4876831&amp;rrc=N&amp;affl=&amp;cip =68.165.96.180&amp;act=&amp;aff=&amp;pg=prod&amp;ref=VDBUCKLE1&amp;cat =accessVONDUTCH&amp;catstr=HOME:accessVONDUTCH


Yes, even you...

[Dooley]

How many peolpe here, and I know there are some, really knew the guy??

Being a hot rodder does not make you the keeper of the "Real" Von Dutch anymore than being a nascar fan make you know who the real Dale Ernhardt was.

In truth ,from what I read, if I met the guy he would not have liked me nor I him so...

By the way this is what will happen with too much Hamb merchandise.

[kritz]

ahh...just got done tattooing another von dutch hat wearing spoiled rich kid...i tried a new approach to the usual von dutch harassment....
i asked the kid..."so i see your wearing a von dutch hat...have you been there?"
"been where?" "there's a place called von dutch??"
so i happily told him that von dutch was a euro-trash gay S&amp;M bar in california....not a "new" clothing designer.
i think he might just have a new appreciation for his trendy new hat.

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
so i happily told him that von dutch was a euro-trash gay S&amp;M bar in california....not a "new" clothing designer.
i think he might just have a new appreciation for his trendy new hat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ] That is the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Hot Rod To Hell]

So are any of you guys up for some Co-Ed Naked Von Dutching??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Bugman]

HA HA http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif....Gay bar.... That's the best. Mind if I use it too?

[trey]

ok, usually i would stay out of this kinda thing, because i didnt know von dutch, im too young, and ive never researched it. but big buis people piss me off at times, so i had to get in on this one.

i emailed these guys selling the 800 dollar original von dutch belt buckles...here is what i wrote.

'i was wondering if your $800 von dutch belt buckle was actually an original
ken howard buckle or if it was a reproduction? and $32 for a t-shirt...wow.

....trey'

okie dokie, and here is what i got back...

'It's an authentic belt buckle from King Baby and retails at 999.99 on Von
dutch's site and the shirts are less than on their site as well. Thank you.
www.TalentClothing.com (http://www.TalentClothing.com)'

????

hey, they say its original, then i wanna see original.

trey

[kritz]

hahaha.....coed naked von-dutching....that's amazing!!!
tell everyone ya see about it being a gay bar....that way when it's not trendy anymore, we can buy the t-shirts 10 for a buck on ebay and have von dutch original shop rags.

[Sam F.]

[ QUOTE ]
How many peolpe here, and I know there are some, really knew the guy??

Being a hot rodder does not make you the keeper of the "Real" Von Dutch anymore than being a nascar fan make you know who the real Dale Ernhardt was.

In truth ,from what I read, if I met the guy he would not have liked me nor I him so...




[/ QUOTE ]

i never met the ol fuck,.....but since i was a lil kid i knew the flying eyeball had something to do with this hot rod stuff...always thought it was a cool ass symbol,but not untill a lil later in life did i come to understand the true meaning and THE MAN,,,and im thankfull for that,....
ive heard he can be an asshole,but who else isnt one,,,its easy to play "real cool guy" on the internet ,but in real life situations anyone can be an asshole

[50mercfan]

[ QUOTE ]
Who's Joe Lunchbox? I wanna shirt with his name on it.

[/ QUOTE ] joe lunchbox was a fictional character that dutch and stan betz created to decribe a normal working person. imagine a guy carrying a lunch box to his 9 to 5 job i.e joe lunchbox. all of his letters had the return address addressed to j.l. bachs. kenny lived in the basement of his mothers house and striped in his mothers driveway or at friends shops as they would let him. his father was an extrodinary sign painter by trade and thats where kenny picked up the trade he also was and exelent sign painter. he was a renagade in every sense of the word and followed no ones rules.

[RocketDaemon]

von dutch has turned fashion.
for normal people with no insight of the real von dutch
wearing a von dutch teeshirt is cool and trendy
and do we expect them to know what the brand nike or the brand champion comes from? or even lonsdale etc etc

sad thing that something that was somewhat car culture as been turned into something else, shit happens?

[Jester]

here's a poll for you: everyone raise your hand if you think Von Dutch would have given two shits or a fuck about any of this

here's another poll: raise your hand if you think he would have been too stoned to notice

one more poll: raise your hand if you think Von would have just thought this was an evil conspirecy to over throw the forces of the indifferent.

[BUICKNAILHEAD]

Von Who?

[Jester]

[ QUOTE ]


<font color="brown"> </font> raise your hand if you think Von would have just thought this was an evil conspirecy to over throw the forces of the indifferent.


[/ QUOTE ]

[Jester]

if you go doggy style i sure hope your pitch'n and not catch'n

[hatch]

Let's not forget....The flying eyeball was not an original Ken Howard design.

[truth]

[ QUOTE ]


i think its a result from yrs of american pop culture (movies, tv shows, art) spreading to other countries... marketing braught to you by the same people doing von dutch stuff... and its just like americans sterotyping asians. ironic thing is, most americans probably believe its a surfer helmet too.

to reinforce this, ever watched jay leno walking around asking people SIMPLE questions about geography? ...ie. where is ireland?



[/ QUOTE ]

No doubt, plan 9. I think Roth used to call them surfer helmets when he sold the, too...

THose segments on Leno are the funniest things ever!

[four-thirteen]

I want to open the dump valves on all the oil tankers and soak the world's beaches with thick crude oil and smother the life out of all those furry sea creatures.

Who the fuck cares about some dink printing von dutch on some clothes? You aren't von dutch, and you don't own von dutch, or his name. Go chop you car and quit caring about the damn "culture" you assosiate yourself with. Get you asses back out side and build something cool. Dave

[metalshapes]

Or mayby somebody has some interesting stories about the other VD... ( Venerial Disease ).

[old dirt tracker]

actually von dutch was more of an artist than anything. kind of goes hand and hand with the fashion world come to think of it.i not really a hot rodder just did some work in that medium.

[RustyCoupe215]

<font color="red"> As far as not spoiling Ed Roths name.......guess again ....there is a RAT CITY ale with Rat Fink as there logo...interesting seeing that Ed was a Morman and Mormans don't drink....HHHMMMMMM

R E D M E A T </font>


You really think ED Roth didn't drink???? ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unkl Ian]

How long did it take you to find this thread from 3 years ago ?

Was it filed under "Flogging a Dead Horse" ?