Logo tees will never go out of style—that is, if you let them do the talking. Check out three new labels and collaboration works—OuterEdit’s mash-up prints are otherworldly and inspiring, Roof Industries’ offerings sport local flair, while Subcrew’s collaboration with artist Jahan Loh pushes the envelope between street art and politics.
OuterEdit
A T-shirt design concept with a difference, OuterEdit is the brainchild of Ryan Tan and Clive Foo, avid fans of graphic design. Started last October, this online shopping site lets the public vote for what they want to wear on their chest—but with a twist. It’s also a collaborative online platform where designers build on each other’s works to create limited edition tees boasting mash-up prints. Some notable names in the list of collaborators: Mariko Jesse, printmaker and associate lecturer at London’s Central Saint Martins, and Bruno Selles, graffiti artist and graphic designer who has worked on campaigns by Nike and Diesel. “We wanted to bring the spotlight back to design creation processes and the people who make awesome graphic art where it rightfully belongs,” says Tan. The result: a series of hypnotic designs bearing various imprints with crisscrossing themes like “Muzik Mish Mash” and “Geometry, Space & Time”, all produced in limited editions of 300 at just $49 a pop.
Roof Industries
If you want to make a statement with something distinctively local, look no further than this two-month-old tee label. Familiar lingo such as “Kopi Addict” and “Singlish” stars in these designs, which include a special edition National Day-themed one with an illustration of our little red dot released last month. “Singapore has a diverse mix of races and cultures living together under one roof and we aim to build the brand with that spirit in mind,” says founder and designer David Tan. “We are working on our second collection which will feature collaborations as well as an extension of our first series with a ladies’ range. A new product line will also be introduced in the near future.” In the meantime, their quirky designs, all affordably priced below $35 per piece (includes free shipping), will have you wearing these tees out and proud.
Subcrew
Acclaimed Taiwan-based Subcrew is one of the top purveyors of Taiwan’s street culture. For their latest collaboration series, they have teamed up with local street artist Jahan Loh for a limited edition run of “Working Class Heroes” tees, featuring Loh’s signature edgy illustrations featuring skull prints and statement text such as “Our Faces Unseen”. “Much of the theme is dedicated to those who work under the radar, whose work takes precedence and speaks for them,” says Loh. “This collection is made by, and made for all the unsung heroes of modern Singapore (which I deem as postmodern capitalist Babylon), elements that you will see across the various T-shirt designs.” All tees are also produced in very small runs for $70 each.
Style Staples
Want more cool tees? These two longstanding local tee labels are still the ones to beat.
Hooked Clothings
Founder and designer Alex Koh’s works based on pop culture and contemporary design are still fresh (even after being on the scene for more than six years), featuring subtle references to themes like faith, religion and yes, rock music.
$69 upwards at their website and Zalora.
Praise
The design team has been consistently churning out photo-based printed tees with evocative images over the last three years. Highlights this season include photomontages of city skylines from across the globe.
$35 from Praise.
