IN CONVERSATION WITH KERIM ALTIN & OSCAR BADIBANGA
Interview by Samo Šajn
No Limit Amsterdam is a streetwear brand inspired by the energy and culture of Amsterdam. Founded by Kerim Altin, with Oscar Badibanga as the creative director, the brand mixes urban style with personal stories, creating clothing that feels real and honest. Each collection is about freedom, identity, and staying true to where you come from.
How do you ensure that No Limit Amsterdam's rebellious and edgy aesthetic remains consistent across all platforms and collections?
From day one, Kerim and I agreed No Limit would never be just another brand. It had to reflect something real: raw, urban, and honest. That aesthetic is something we actively protect every day, from the fabrics we choose to how we speak on social media. We’re in constant conversation with our team to make sure everything, from visuals to the fit of a jacket, embodies that edge. It’s not about being loud; it’s about being authentic. We want people to feel like they’re part of something that respects where they come from, no compromises. Because the brand is so personal, staying consistent comes naturally.
The brand draws inspiration from Amsterdam's multicultural and industrial backdrop. How do you translate these urban influences into design elements within your collections?
It’s less about the buildings and more about the energy of the city. Kerim, being from Amsterdam, and me coming from a different background, have both absorbed the city’s unique vibe. The multicultural mix, the unapologetic creativity, those are the elements that fuel No Limit. We’re surrounded by people who really know the city, and that constant exchange of stories, culture, music, and food has shaped our outlook.
In design, we don’t try to be too literal. You’ll see subtle nods, color palettes, graphic touches, but it’s more about capturing the feeling. Take our Summer of Amsterdammer campaign: it wasn’t about showcasing details on the clothes, it was about that summer freedom, spontaneity, and rawness. That’s what we aim to build on, creating pieces that feel grounded in place and people, even if the references are subtle.
Can you walk us through your creative process when developing a new collection?
It always starts with a conversation. Me, Kerim, and the team talking about anything that sparks something: a moment on the street, a memory, a fabric. From there, I dive into research, visuals, textures, references and start building a moodboard that feels more like a world than a trend report. We're creating an atmosphere, not just clothes.
Once the vibe is clear, we move into silhouettes, fabric selection, and construction. Every piece has to make sense within that universe. It's a constant push-pull between creativity and wearability. That friction keeps things alive. The process isn’t always linear, but by the time we reach the final collection, it already feels lived in, like something real.
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, how do you balance staying ahead of trends with maintaining the brand's identity?
It’s about knowing what to tune out. Fashion moves fast, and if you chase everything, you lose yourself. We pay attention to art, music, design, but we’re not trend-chasers. No Limit moves at its own rhythm.
We always ask: does this feel like us? Would we wear it? Would our community respond to it without us needing to explain it? If the answer’s yes, it fits. That’s our filter. What keeps us relevant isn’t predicting the next big thing, it’s staying rooted in who we are. Our identity is what lets us evolve without losing direction. In fashion, the goal isn’t just to be new, it’s to be lasting.
With the rise of luxury streetwear brands, how does No Limit Amsterdam differentiate itself in a saturated market?
What sets us apart is authenticity. We're not trying to imitate luxury, we’re expressing our version of it. We come from the culture. There’s a rawness and honesty in what we do because it’s drawn from real experience, not trend forecasts.
We design, produce, and document everything ourselves, from the workshops in Istanbul to the visuals we share. That hands-on approach creates a level of precision and intention that people can feel. It’s not about perfection, it’s about purpose. That’s what gives the brand its edge.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly crucial in fashion. How does No Limit Amsterdam incorporate sustainable practices into its design and production processes?
For us, sustainability starts with responsibility. To both the people who wear our clothes and the ones who make them. We work closely with small, trusted workshops in Istanbul, where we know the people and the process. That personal connection matters.
We produce in limited batches to avoid waste and overproduction. We’re also exploring recycled materials and creative ways to repurpose leftover stock. It’s an ongoing process, we’re learning and evolving, but the goal is to grow with purpose, not just to scale. For us, being sustainable means being intentional.
What can we expect from your next collection, “Wardrobe 02”?
Wardrobe 02 is our summer love letter to Amsterdam. It’s a tight, focused capsule that reflects the streets, spontaneity, energy, culture, wrapped in a warm, nostalgic tone. We drew from early 2000s aesthetics, not to copy them, but to reinterpret that era’s confidence through a modern lens.
You’ll see baggy tracksuit bottoms, loose denim, staple tees, pieces that feel easy but bold. We also introduced polos and chinos to sharpen the silhouette a bit and add a touch of refinement. It still feels effortless, but with a cleaner edge.
At its heart, the collection celebrates Amsterdam’s multicultural spirit, that freedom to mix, express, and be both polished and raw. It’s a small drop, but for us, it marks a big step in how the brand is evolving. It hints at what’s next for No Limit.
