"GOOD LUCK" ✷ Bandits Bandanas

BEN KOCINSKI

Kansas City based illustrator and graphic designer Ben Kocinski was one of the very first artists that BANDITS reached out to when we hatched the idea for a bandana brand supporting artists and charities worldwide. Ben’s incredible vintage-inspired designs caught our eye when we were looking for a logo, so we asked him to create something special for us. From the moment we saw his first rough pencil sketches of our BANDITS logo, we knew it was a match made in graphic design heaven. After he created such a timeless and perfect logo, we knew we had to have him create a design for our launch collection. Ben told us that he takes cues from design and typography from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, and indeed his creations feel transported a bygone era. True to form, he still draws most of his illustrations by hand before digitally converting them. Ben’s logos, illustrations, and designs have appeared on work for brands like Yeti, Knickerbocker Manufacturing Co., Sable Bourbon, and others.

 

RESTART KC (KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI)

reStart KC provides housing and supportive services to help homeless men, women, youth and families in the Kansas City area move toward independence and self-sufficiency. reStart is the ONLY homeless agency in Kansas City serving all homeless populations—singles, couples, gay, straight and trans-gendered individuals, and unaccompanied youth ages 12-18, as well as non-traditional families, persons with HIV/AIDS, and individuals recently released from prison or from psychiatric hospitalization.

Since 1981, reStart’s goal has remained the same—to end homelessness in Kansas City. This ambitious goal has made reStart a leader in innovative approaches to ending homelessness. Their innovation has opened doors to all homeless persons in need. In 36 years, the overnight shelter turned non-profit organization has grown and served more than 28,000 homeless individuals, including over 11,000 children and youth.