Don’t Miss Your Tee Time: Design T-shirt Store graniph, Japan

Since spring is here, the T-shirt trend is coming back full-force. We've got the rock tee, the baggy tee, the patterned tee, the graphic tee, and on and on. To add even more to the mix, the insurgence of the DIY movement birthed literally thousands of independent T-shirt companies. There are as many gems out there as there are meaningless fast and dirty designs—so where do you start looking for your new favorite tee? I found my perfect match in Tokyo.

My year abroad only strengthened my belief that T-shirt design is better and more adventurous overseas (even though the market is just as saturated). The Japanese "re-edit" method and adaptation of Western culture and the English language proved more charming than obnoxious, and the appeal of “limited edition” definitely caught on with me. In the heart of the city, I discovered Design T-shirt Store graniph. They stock limited edition high-quality T-shirts with designs by the hottest artists and illustrators, and over the years have moved into wardrobe basics: printed undies, totes, scarves, sweatshirts and simple jackets. With their recent success, they've even gone into cut and sew. With a constant flux of artists from around the world (check the website for a full artists list), Graniph never feels stale or monotonous.

The Graniph design aesthetic is very Euro, and it's a clean break from the over-done, "ironic" designs this side of the Pacific. At about $25 each (or $40 for two), the price is just right without exploiting the power of "limited edition" that happens so often. Too bad they won't be stateside until their launch April 6 through June 6 in New York at the Reed Space Gallery. We can also look forward to Graniph opening its international online store soon. Until then, thank goodness the Graniph design team took some time day to answer some of my questions before any of the action begins on this side of the Pacific.

How do you find new artists?
We find new artists everywhere: interesting flyers, new CD covers, magazines, interesting exhibitions—everywhere. We are looking for designs from artists in all genres. These days, I have lots of people who want to collaborate with us contacting me directly.

How does the T-shirt make a fashion statement?
The T-shirt is the easiest and most significant garment in fashion. Tees are worn everyday by everybody regardless of age, gender or nationality. By wearing a tee, you show your surroundings how you feel, what you are up to, or what you want to support or focus on. It's the perfect way to express something without saying anything.

What does the T-shirt signify to Graniph?
For us, the T-shirt is media; it's a blank canvas for wearable art. Instead of leaving great artwork on a gallery wall, in a magazine, or on a CD cover, through the tee, the art becomes a visible and living part of everyday life.

How do you stay on top of the latest trends in T-shirt design?
Our production guys are always looking for the newest printing techniques; our fashion designers view the trends in new styles; and we all take care of the "hotlist" of artists. My boss selects the best out of everything—et voila!

What is the Tokyo T-shirt market like versus other parts of the world? Why is the T-shirt so popular there?
People in Tokyo don't wear T-shirts so critically. They like cute and colorful design. For example, the alphabet typography is considered much “cooler” than Japanese characters. We think Graniph is popular because we introduce an artist's/ illustrator's/photographer's/designer's work on T-shirts that anyone can wear. By stepping out in one of our T-shirts, you can display an amazing artwork and expose an artist's culture and message to everyone around you.

What is Graniph's aesthetic? How does it stand apart from other T-shirt companies?
We don't belong to a special niche. Our goal is to produce high level in-house designs that are often influenced by the Italian, French, and German designs of the 1960s and '70s. We also do collaboration T-shirts for projects, events, movies or music productions that we like to support.

- Chako Suzuki