A Dose of Good Luck for AJK

Local Oahu brands Good Luck Buck and AJK team up for their first collaboration

Groovy music and multicoloured lights spilled out onto the Kakaako sidewalk on August 20 as Milo opened its doors after hours from 6-9 p.m to launch the AJK x Good Luck Buck collaboration. 

Excitement was tangible as event attendees tried on the electric blue ‘Gemini’ set, snapped happy polaroids, and gathered around to hear DJ Noa Mizuno play.  

Featuring specialty drinks provided by Barvo named after both designers, including the ‘spicy margha-rere’ and the ‘annajeankoscow mule.’ There was also the option to take a shot without a chaser aptly named “good luck, buck up.”

“We wanted to work together; it began actually as a card design! I woke up one day and realised AJK were initials of playing cards - Ace, Joker, King,” said Reanna Chambers.

Chambers, a local designer and collaborator, founded Good Luck Buck at the beginning of the pandemic after the amount of free time led to the creative endeavour of designing stickers after the encouragement of a friend.

“Good Luck, Buck; the name comes from the name of my favourite knife. We were given a Buck knife in Venice Beach, and my friend Kevin thought I’d like it, so he gave it to me, but when I visited Maui, TSA confiscated it.”

After enquiring as to what would become of the knife, Chambers was told it would probably be taken home by a staff member; wishing luck upon the knife’s next owner, the name “Good Luck, Buck” was born.

Chambers was inspired by friend and music studio owner, Shingo, to create her own stickers after seeing his drawings. The two worked together to create the original designs.

Good Luck Buck has had partnerships with other artists such as Oahu-based Mono Handmade and OK Bet while also expanding their collaborations to the mainland and partnering with Los Angeles-based Hayley Eli Crochet. 

“This was very 50/50 from both of us,” said designer Anna Kos of AJK,

”collaborations I’ve done in the past are usually based around the person I am designing for, but this time we both had equal input.”

Both women-run businesses share common brand ideals, such as focusing on ethical, slow fashion and promoting other small brands. The two designers decided to collaborate after Chambers designed a playing card featuring Kos’ logos.

After considering whether or not to embroider the logo on a set, the two searched for local fabric and immediately fell in love with an electric blue Terry cloth.

“We were going for a sportier look but still wanted to produce a set, so as soon as we saw the deadstock terry fabric, we started designing,” said Kos.

Both designers seemed eager when asked about the possibility of a future collaboration, leaving followers and friends keen for another dose of good luck. 

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