About Us

Mission Statement

Kudzu League is a lifestyle, culture, and fashion blog started in 2023 by Christian Ornelas. It was created with the intent to help fill the gap in American media that exists between the isolating experience of social media and the unattainable luxury often showcased in lifestyle magazines. Inspired by Japanese magazines like POPEYE and FRUiTS which focus on youthful subcultures through the people who inhabit them, Kudzu League aims to offer a platform for a reconnection with humanity – a chance to fall in love with the world again with content that brings us closer to truer self-expression.

Content curated here will always aim to build community through Gonzo-style photojournalism. Whether it be collections of street-fashion photography, small business / local artist showcases, or discussions of macro-cultural moments, this space will be people-first. Please feel free to reach out to us with with any suggestions or just to say hello.

Why “Kudzu League”?

I went to one of those “Harvard of the South”-type schools that want to associate themselves with desperately want “Ivy” prestige. Southern universities with strong (re: selective) programs like Duke, Vanderbilt, UNC, etc. which were already begging for affiliation with institutions like Yale and Harvard were granted their monkey-paw wish. They would be known as “Kudzu League” in reference to the kudzu plant: an invasive vine from eastern Asia that now envelops much of the south-eastern United States.

While the moniker is – at best – a backhanded compliment, something about it resonated with me. It felt like if Ivy League was going to stay strict, selective, and rule-ridden, Kudzu League could… not be. It could be inspired by history and tradition, but also celebrate the alternative and be all-inclusive. And with the hindsight we now have into Japan’s influence on American fashion (as is wonderfully laid out in W. David Marx’ Amertora) kudzu suddenly felt like the only substitute for ivy. Our tagline “A backup school of thought” is yet another nod to the alternative “backup school” status of the Kudzu League and the alternative culture, fashion, and lifestyles we hope to highlight.

If you want to read a little more about our inspiration and goals, check out our first article “The Cultural Love-Triangle of America, England, and Japan“,