Michael Cassel of Von Dutch is a self-described outlaw. Hulu’s three-part series The Curse Of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die premiered on 8 November.
Von Dutch is an American multinational apparel brand named after Kenny Howard, a.k.a. “Von Dutch.” He was an American artist and pinstriper of the Kustom Kulture movement.
Kenny Howard died in 1992 from alcohol-related complications, and his daughters, Lisa and Lorna, owned the right to the Von Dutch name.
Then, his daughters sold the Von Dutch name to Michael Cassel and Robert Vaughn after four years in 1996.
Who Is Mike Cassell Von Dutch?
Michael Cassel is the owner of the clothing brand Von Dutch after Kenny Howard.
Together, he and Robert Vaughn turned Howard’s artistic iconography legacy into wearable fashion.
By the end of the century, Von Dutch, the brand, had a small following. Cassel described Von Dutch the person as completely against the grain.
The oldies might remember that strange time in the early 2000s when Von Dutch trucker hats were the epitome of fashion.
But not many people know the dark story behind the massively popular label, and Hulu’s new documentary uncovered it all.
As Cassel struggled to find capital to help grow the company, he brought in Danish entrepreneur and creative Tonny Sorensen in November 2000.
Sorensen is also a former Olympian and Taekwondo champion. He served as the chief executive for a time.
The clothing brand gained popularity in the US and attracted the attention of celebrities.
The celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Lance Pedersen, Bernabe Sosa, and later Ashton Kutcher and Eric Church wore it.
Von Dutch Murder Update
Hulu’s new original documentary, ‘The Curse Of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die’, has left us in awe.
Exploring the tempestuous rise and fall of the iconic Y2K fashion brand, one of the co-founders was charged with first-degree murder.
The label’s rise in popularity could not help the perpetrator to skip justice.
The unbelievable true story has now been released on Hulu, which portrays the rise of the most iconic fashion trend.
The glamour, the glitz, the epic character-driven saga, Venice Beach surfers, gangsters, European garmentos, and Hollywood movers, pushing it from obscurity to one of the most recognizable labels on Earth.
All these led to someone’s death in the process.
Hulu’s ‘The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For’: TV Review https://t.co/pJS7n9komd
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 18, 2021
Von Dutch owes its name to American Kustom Kulture artist, mechanic, and pinstriper Kenny Howard, who earned the nickname for his stubbornness.
Family members called him Dutch because he was as stubborn as a Dutchman. He added Von for flair and as an artistic signature.
Mike Cassell Von Dutch Wikipedia: What Happened To Him?
A US District Court judge upheld an injunction against Michael Cassel in April 2004.
A temporary ban was placed, which caused him from using Von Dutch Originals’ logo.
An earlier restraining order prohibited Cassel from using the logo and selling any Von Dutch merchandise.
Sorensen was still, at that time, the head of the company.
Lawyers representing Von Dutch Originals alleged that Cassel signed documents relinquishing his stake in the company in 2002.
Cassel maintained that the signatures were a forgery.