Kapono Chung
Founder
In their own words
We span from strategy to design to creative.
We say we're smart and stupid.
There are very few American heritage brands owned and created by Black and Indigenous people because of colonisation and slavery.
We went with a colour palette that is rich and earthy.
The best work I’ve ever done has come from objectivity, not subjectivity.
All companies have to look amazing these days. That’s a good thing!
Articles & interviews3
- Combo, Agency Behind Iconic Brands, Celebrates 10 Years
Creative Boom profiles Combo, the New York-based design studio behind brands like Away, Saie Beauty, and The Nue Co., as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Founded by Brennan McGrath and Kapono Chung, Combo has built a reputation for long-term creative partnerships and a philosophy that resists trend-chasing and rapid scaling. The article explores the studio’s evolution, ethos, and plans for international expansion.
- Combo’s thoughtful identity for ASHYA is a progressive act of cultural preservation and storytelling
Combo, a New York-based design agency, developed a culturally rich and elegant identity for luxury leather goods brand ASHYA. The project draws on African and Caribbean heritage, using symmetrical forms, earthy tones, and the Recife typeface to convey storytelling and legacy. The result is a timeless brand system that honors ASHYA’s cultural roots while maintaining a modern, high-fashion sensibility.
- Kapono Chung on Combo’s innovation-driven model, lessons in leadership and their exciting future