FRIVOLOUS CARTOONS: KÁRI ÞÓR BARRY’S PLAYFUL TAILORING
Kendra Dresser
Icelandic designer Kári Þór Barry merges cartoon exaggeration with precise tailoring, turning oddities into intelligent, wearable narratives.
Cartoons Meet Craft
For centuries, humans have found humour in exaggeration, from cave paintings to Looney Tunes. Today, Kári Þór Barry channels that same spirit into tailoring.
Moreover, a cat in a suit became his starting point, sparking a creative journey that seamlessly blends humour, cultural reference, and sartorial discipline. His work doesn’t just play with form; it invites understanding: “I want people to understand rather than feel.”
From Reykjavík Experiments to Cartoon Suits
Kári’s path began at Iceland’s only art university, where he moved immediately after high school. At first, he experimented widely, making dresses, streetwear, and techwear. However, everything changed when he saw one image: Tom from Tom and Jerry.
That cartoon cat in a suit redirected Kári from general fashion to tailoring, inspiring him to study, seek advice, and ultimately shape his BA thesis, Frivolous Cartoons.
The project explored how exaggerated cartoon suits could, in fact, become wearable fashion.
The Philosophy: Playful Storytelling Meets Precision
A Space Between Humour and Meaning
“This space in between is what makes fashion interesting to me.”
Furthermore, his designs balance playful visual storytelling with intellectual rigour. In addition, silhouettes, proportions, and details are intentional, with each reference carefully chosen to communicate meaning. He examines not just form, but what each exaggerated curve or playful distortion conveys.
Materials as Narrative
“Someone smarter than me once said that in tailoring, materials are everything; they breathe life into a suit.” For Kári, fabric is more than structure; it is storytelling.
The texture, colour, and structure of a material allow him to shape silhouettes and convey mood. Moreover, each choice becomes a vehicle for narrative, just as essential as the cartoon inspirations behind the garments.
Inspiration in Oddities
Toe Boots and Unexpected References
Oddities constantly fuel Kári’s imagination. For example, a failed stiletto sketch evolved into the “toe boots” in his graduate collection. This change drew inspiration from the Thumb characters in Spy Kids.
These surreal, flattened figures shaped both the design and the playful feel of the shoes. “Because of that odd connection, I found the toe boots to be a perfect fit.”
From Cat to Collection
Kári always starts his process with careful observation. “I research a certain oddity, such as a cat wearing a suit, and try to understand why I find it interesting,” he says. Afterwards, he experiments with sketches, reenactments, and even dressing his roommate as a model. Over time, he gradually turns these playful ideas into tailored garments.
As a result, his work balances cartoon exaggeration with tailored discipline. It combines precise craftsmanship with whimsy.
Frivolous Cartoons: A Graduate Project
Indeed, “Silly images have been a part of human history for a long time, from frivolous and exaggerated cave paintings to whimsical and funny animated comics like the Looney Tunes,” Kári observes.
Caricature, the act of mocking and imitation, drives his work. Indeed, the project demonstrates how these aesthetics can intersect with tailoring, a field traditionally bound by rules. By doing so, Kári translates exaggeration into wearable garments, effectively bridging discipline and absurdity, craft and humour.
Current Work and Future Ambitions
After completing his graduate collection. Kári returned to his hometown.
At present, he teaches children about textiles at his old elementary school, a role that offers fresh insights into creativity and communication. At the same time, he is seeking future opportunities to expand his experience within experimental and narrative driven fashion environments.
Already, recognition is on the horizon: he is in the final round of Designblok’s diploma selection competition in Prague this October.
Accessibility and Collaborations
At present, people can view his work online. Welcoming any proposals and collaborations.
- Instagram: @karithorbarry_
- Email: karithorbarry@gmail.com
Humour as Craft
Kári Þór Barry’s work shows that tailoring can do more than just dress people. Indeed, by combining cartoon humour with careful craft, he makes clothes that tell a story.
In this way, his designs mix fun, thought, and culture, showing how fashion can communicate ideas.
Credits
Find them all on Instagram;
Designer; Kári Þór Barry @karithorbarry_
Photography; Lookbook photos, Berglaug Petra Garðarsdóttir @berglaug
Models; Tómas Lemarquis @tomaslemarquis, Haraldur Stefánsson @haraldurstefansson, Fannar Arnarsson @farnarsson, Curro Rodriguez @curro_rodriguez, Anton Bjarki Olsen @antonbjarkiolsen, Airdem Basil @airdem_basil
Hair & Makeup; Hárakademían @harakademian & Mac Iceland @mac_iceland
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Kendra Dresser is in Communications and Public Relations with a focus on how fashion, media, and culture shape the way we see the world and ourselves.
She’s interested in the connection between image and meaning: how a campaign, an outfit, or a trend can say something deeper about identity, mood, and the cultural moment.
She’s especially drawn to how Generation Z uses fashion and beauty to express individuality, often in bold, layered, and playful ways. She’s also curious about how social media continues to reshape storytelling, changing how we create, share, and connect through visual culture.
To Kendra, fashion is more than just style; it’s a language! One that reflects who we are, how we feel, and what we stand for. She’s committed to sustainability and believes fashion and culture should not only inspire but also respect the planet.
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