Torquay teen turns school project into his own clothing label

Max Kennedy couldn’t find the casual clothes he wanted to wear before a game of football or basketball, so he decided to design his own.

The 14-year-old Torquay resident has turned a secondary school project into his own clothing label, Kenerz.

Max designed the label’s T-shirts, hoodies, track pants, shorts and socks himself and launched Kenerz’ first pop-up shop on Thursday.

Inspired by basketball, AFL and everyday streetwear, Kenerz takes its name from one of Max’s school nicknames.

“There was a project at school where you got to choose something that you’re passionate about,” he said.

“I chose fashion and clothes because I really had a passion about clothes.

“I thought maybe I should just design my own. That’s where it all started.”

Kenerz offers clothing for men, women and children and has been designed for everyday wear, from training to weekends and travel.

“I was wearing nicer clothes to sports and I thought ‘I should make my own because I don’t really want to get all my good clothes dirty’ – they’re more for going out instead of using clothes like this I can wear all the time,” Max said.

Max sourced the clothing himself and said finding a supplier and getting the logo right were among the hardest parts of getting the label off the ground.

He started the label with some financial assistance from his parents and said, if sales went well, he had more designs in the works.

“I’m a bit nervous thinking people might not actually like it,” Max said.

“I know I like it but will others like it? So I have to try to persuade them to like my clothes but see if they actually do like them.”

Max is selling his first range through a four-day pop-up shop at Torquay Taphouse.

His mother, Tara, said she was proud of her son’s efforts in transforming Kenerz from an idea on paper into a clothing label.

“He’s doing something that he loves and it’s nice to be able to support him,” she said.

“I really hope he does well because he’s already got lots of new designs he would like to order but he needs to sell all of this first before that can happen.”

The Kenerz pop-up shop will be open at Torquay Taphouse, Baines Crescent on Friday, Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October from 11am–3pm.

From the source For more information, head to kenerz.com.au or @kenerz__ on Instagram.