Not everyone deserves the honor of being called a creative genius. It’s a lofty term elitists feel they must gate-keep. Is it a bold statement to say that Kerwin Frost is a creative genius? Arguably. To me, what defines one is not a museum co-sign, the value of their art, nor their mastery of a specific medium.
A creative genius is someone who has discovered how to maintain a connection to their inner child, despite the pressures around them. Imagine how many people would hop on the first plane to Neverland if they could ditch adulthood. Your inner child remembers what it’s like to dream big, to be enthusiastic and open-minded, and most importantly, not to take life too seriously.
From his playful personality and eccentric fashion sense to his kid-friendly aesthetic and quirky color palettes, Kerwin Frost is a prime example of someone who approaches life with the spirit of their inner child. Following the recent release of his major collaboration with McDonald’s, I was granted a brief peek into his creative process.
"Ever since I was young, I’ve loved creating art and storytelling, and always imagined a community where everyone is encouraged to be their most authentic selves.”
If you're familiar with his colorful aesthetic, it should come as no surprise that the collaboration is uniquely Kerwin. Inspired by his Harlem upbringing, the Kerwin Frost Box reimagines the brand’s classic McNugget Buddies as characters from his old neighborhood, simultaneously evoking nostalgia and childlike glee.
“When McDonald’s first approached me about this opportunity, I knew that I wanted the box to be representative of me as an artist — and my upbringing in Harlem is a huge part of that. As a kid, one of my dreams was to collect all the McNugget Buddies, so I knew right off the bat that I wanted to incorporate them somehow, too. As I started sketching out the world of Frost Way, these two factors collided really effortlessly and it all just kind of flowed out of me,” Frost says.
Quite possibly McDonald's biggest collaboration of 2023, it includes not only McNugget Buddies, but trading cards, colorful merch, and nostalgic claymation commercials. The Fry Guy Shoes, which are actually clogs, are my favorite merch item. They were inspired by McDonald's characters from the 70s and are a furry blue with two large eyeballs. Unfortunately, those sold out pretty quickly.
If anything, Frost looks to give you a side of immersive fun with your Big Mac. “I want fans to experience that joy and excitement of opening a Happy Meal as if they were a kid again. I hope fans resonate with the McNugget Buddies and are inspired to express themselves in whichever way is most authentic to them!”
The Kerwin Frost Box is still available at McDonald’s locations nationwide while supplies last, along with hats, jackets, t-shirts, and more, which can be purchased on kerwinfrost.com.
