What I’ve Learned: Ksubi founder Dan Single on clubbing attire and falling from a balcony in Paris
The fashion designer, DJ, and author takes part in Esquire's long-running interview series, What I've Learned
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THERE WAS HIS DOWNFALL from the cult denim brand, Ksubi, he co-founded in 2010. Then there was another fall, this time from the fourth floor of his hotel balcony in Paris in 2017, where he briefly died before being resuscitated. As one of Australia’s biggest fashion personalities, Single reflects on both of those falls, as well as what he’d wear to the club, what it was like waiting to buy international magazines, and what he’s believed in all along. Here, he sits down for Esquire‘s long-running Q & A series ‘What I’ve Learned’.
THE NORTHERN BEACHES of Sydney were a paradise – a perfect place for a young, ocean-loving, curious boy to live.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I would get one pair of good, branded board shorts from Quiksilver or Mambo. Then when I’d grow out of them, we’d rip the logo off and sew it onto the new ones that Mum and I would make together.
WHEN I STARTED CLUBBING, I’d wear skintight silk Diesel pants with a crop top that I got screen- printed with a quote from Emma Bunton from the Spice Girls. I had bleached blond hair with silver hair clips, my fingernails painted. I never fit in, but I loved it.
WE WOULD CATCH THE 190 or L90 bus from Avalon to the city to go to Central Station Records to buy i-D or The Face magazines and then spend the rest of the ride sitting and reading the pages back to front until the next issue came out.
I WORKED AS A PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT but basically as his driver. While he was in meetings
all day, I would just sit in the car drawing books of clothes. I had a surf label, a skate label, a jeans label, even a wedding dress label. I drew all the logos and came up with all the marketing plans. When I handed this in as my portfolio for fashion school, my teacher Nicholas Huxley just told me I shouldn’t be at school. I broke down in tears, but he said, ‘No, I mean go start your label. There is nothing you can learn here except how to draw. Find a partner and just do it’. So that’s what I did.
I DIDN’T REALISE we were at the pinnacle with Ksubi because there was always something bigger and better to do.
THE DOWNFALL BEGAN in 2008 but 2013 was when the really bad deal happened. It was as simple as choosing the wrong people to work with and trusting the wrong people. And then, before we knew it, it was kind of gone. I’m sure we could have looked into some lawyers and all that, but once we heard the news it was just like, ‘All right, on to the next thing’. I don’t dwell on it. Gotta keep living, babe.
FALLING OFF OF A FOURTH-FLOOR BALCONY in Paris in 2017, dying and then coming back to life, was certainly a life-changing moment. I got to take stock and realised I’m here to help. I know we did that with Ksubi, but it shifted my drive to create beautiful things and travel and have these amazing experiences.
WHEN YOU DIE you will never know if you achieved your dreams or if you got the house or if the business didn’t work out – because you are dead. It’s just finished. It sounds a bit morbid, but
I think that has stopped me from being scared or regretting things.
GETTING THE JOB as the creative director at [indigenous mentoring organisation] AIME while I was recovering made me realise there is just so much stuff we can be doing to help people. I’m here for a reason, and I really want to fulfill my debt and inspire people.
I REALLY DO BELIEVE if you live with a pure heart and with good intentions, love will find a way.
Diary of a Naughtie Kid by Dan Single (US$99) is available for preorder now at danielsingle.com.
This story appears in the Winter 2025 issue of Esquire Australia, on sale now. Find out where to buy the issue here.
Read more of our ‘What I’ve Learned’ series:
