UCLA boasts a rather fashionable student body, North Campus especially, and freshman, Chandler Abbey, is no exception. As a Design Media Arts major from Carlsbad, Southern California, Abbey developed an eye for simplistic modernism as a young teen, drawing from his vibrant, coastal surroundings. Although a student first, Abbey serves as the co-founder/art director of the clothing and lifestyle brand, Keto Provisions. Whether fashion, photography or graphic design, this young artist values storytelling and authenticity, two key Keto characteristics. He and high school friend, Bryan Benattou, began Keto upon fusing Abbey’s graphic art with Benattou’s entrepreneurial skills after meeting in math class. Between their two interests and talents, the boys distinguished their artistic voice, a major part of establishing a brand, from the monotony of surf and skate culture currently trending. Keto redefines street style through the personalization of human effort and inventive inked sketches. With Abbey’s fresh take on print screen design, it is no wonder that Keto’s clean-cut, vintage touch is rising with our generation’s desire to revive and revisit cultural fads of the past. Here, Abbey models the Santa Muerte, a simple grey crewneck, displaying a hand-drawn memento mori anchored by an inked starburst.
Reminiscent of a grunge, band tee from the 90’s, Abbey takes the piece and adds to it, making it entirely his own through personal accessories. His cross disciplinary designs encompass the artist’s search for something greater, to seek more than instant appreciation. Abbey’s work reaches into decadal fascinations while balancing his own artistic aesthetic—a fashion enlightenment of sorts.
Keto has changed since the beginning, evolving with Abbey’s own style. Dressed in a typical everyday look, Abbey epitomizes the collected cool so many aspire to achieve. Each piece contributes to his overall aura, giving his clothing personal meaning rather than material significance, a unique attribute in fashion these days.
At UCLA, Abbey hopes to improve his craft and complete the newly instituted Entrepreneurship minor in order to take his brand to the next level. You heard it here first folks. We have visionaries walking this campus. Order your own Keto gear on their refurbished site, www.keto-provisions.com before Abbey and his cohorts eclipse the fashion frontier in answer to widespread world demand.
-Contributed by Emily Adams, First Year English Major
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