Kidrobot
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Collectible Toys, Clothing, Art |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | New York, NY, United States |
Key people | Paul Budnitz |
| Website | http://www.kidrobot.com/ |
Kidrobot is a producer and retailer of designer toys founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, specializing in artist-created toys and imports from Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. Kidrobot has a commercial website, as well operating retail stores in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, and Toronto, Canada. There is currently a pop-up shop in Dallas, Texas. However, this location closed in 2010. Most items are produced in limited numbers and are, or become, collector's items. Each of the three retail stores features a gallery of designer toys and related art, and often host artist signings to commemorate the release of limited-edition figures, such as the Bondage Labbit by Frank Kozik.
As a producer of designer toys, Kidrobot is known for its proprietary Dunny and Munny figures, soft vinyl figurines which resemble cartoon animals based on urban graffiti and stencil art. Artists and designers are commissioned to create Dunnys, while Munnys are released unpainted as "blank canvas" do-it-yourself pieces. Contributing artists include Tara McPherson, Swizz Beatz, Ed Templeton, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park, Fort Minor), Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant), Joe Doucet, Futura 2000 (Mo'Wax), Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl, Gorillaz), MF DOOM (Madvillain), Huck Gee, JK5 (Joseph Aloi) and Mark Hoppus (blink-182, Atticus). A selection of Kidrobot figures are carried by Urban Outfitters, both online and in its retail stores across the U.S. Collectible Dunnys have been sold in limited edition box sets. Many older Dunnys are very rare and can only be found online through websites such as eBay at higher prices than the original Kidrobot retail pricing.
Kidrobot also makes Kidrobot Mascots, which are figures of their main logo. These figures are usually nicknamed KR (Kidrobot's common nickname) and the number of the Mascot. For example, the first Mascot was KR1. Some figures also have names; for example, KR1 was called Brooklyn. There are 18 Mascots so far, the newest of which being KR18: Kidmutant by Frank Kozik.
In addition to toys and dolls, Kidrobot produces limited-edition apparel, particularly screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies (typically in editions of 256) featuring Kidrobot characters. They are starting to collaborate with many big companies such as Lacoste, and artists such as Tilt. Lacoste and Kidrobot are making limited edition sneakers with vivid colors and designs that are trademark of Kidrobot. They range from around $175.00 each pair. Kidrobot also makes monogram bags with the artist Tilt. ($90.00-$150.00.) The new clothing line for women and men comes in funky bright and colorful colors combined with artistic never before seen characters. These garments often sell-through within minutes online, and are known to create long lines at their stores. Although Kidrobot apparel is primarily sold in its own stores, some garments are also sold in Barneys NY stores as well as cutting edge boutiques such as the Sneaker Bistro Boutique in Patchogue NY.[1]
Kidrobot is owned by Wild Brain, and not affiliated with Giant Robot, the magazine of Asian American pop culture, or the retail stores of the same name.
In August 2008, Kidrobot collaborated with jewelry designer, Tarina Tarantino, to launch a limited edition jewelry line, kidrobot by Tarina Tarantino.