Ronnie Fieg
Founder, chief executive and creative director of Kith
Ronnie Fieg is the American founder, chief executive and creative director of Kith, the New York lifestyle brand and retailer he launched in 2011. Known for high-profile collaborations and immersive stores that combine fashion with food and hospitality, he has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary streetwear retail.
| Role | Founder, CEO and creative director of Kith |
|---|---|
| Born | 1982, Queens, New York |
| Kith founded | 11 November 2011 |
| Also | Creative director of the New York Knicks since November 2022 |
| Stores | More than 20 across three continents (2026) |
Who is Ronnie Fieg?
Ronnie Fieg, born in 1982 in Queens, New York, is the founder of Kith, which he leads as chief executive and creative director. Kith began as an apparel and footwear boutique and has grown into a global lifestyle brand with its own collections, collaborations, restaurants and cafés. In 2026 the company operated more than 20 stores across three continents.
Career
Fieg's retail education began at 13, when he started as a stock boy and salesman at David Z, a New York footwear chain owned by his uncle. He rose to manager and head buyer. In 2007 he designed three versions of the Asics Gel Lyte III, released as "The 252 Pack", which sold out quickly and established his reputation as a collaborator with sneaker brands.
He opened Kith on 11 November 2011. Key milestones since then include:
- 2015: an expanded Brooklyn store with the Kith Treats cereal bar
- November 2022: named the first creative director of the New York Knicks
- Summer 2024: launch of the &Kin sub-brand
- 2025: launch of Kith Ivy, a padel and wellness club
- May 2026: a West Hollywood flagship with the Ronnie's Pronto eatery, following a London flagship with a restaurant
In December 2025 he received the Person of the Year award at the Footwear News Achievement Awards, and in 2026 he topped Complex's Streetwear Power Ranking.
Influence on the fashion business
Kith's model is closely studied by brands and retailers. It combines a multi-brand retail heritage with a strong in-house label and a constant flow of partnerships with companies such as Nike, New Balance, adidas and BMW. Its stores function as destinations: food concepts such as Kith Treats, Sadelle's at Kith and Ronnie's sit alongside product, encouraging longer visits and repeat traffic.
This mix of collaboration-led product drops and experiential retail has influenced how sportswear groups and department stores think about limited releases, store design and community. Fieg's role with the New York Knicks also illustrates how fashion founders are extending their creative direction into sport and entertainment brands.
Why it matters
Ronnie Fieg shows how a buyer's understanding of product and customers can be turned into a vertically integrated brand. For the wider industry, Kith is a reference case for building demand through scarcity, partnerships and physical experiences at a time when much of fashion retail has shifted online.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Ronnie Fieg?
Ronnie Fieg is the founder, chief executive and creative director of Kith, the New York based fashion and lifestyle brand he opened in 2011. He began his career at the footwear chain David Z and became known for sneaker collaborations.
What is Ronnie Fieg known for?
He is known for building Kith into a global retailer and brand through collaborations with companies such as Nike, New Balance and adidas, and for stores that combine fashion with food concepts such as Kith Treats. He has also been creative director of the New York Knicks since 2022.