Interview with Alex Singh of etc. on the boutique label’s most recent project, Swami Safari. What’s the concept behind the Swami Safari project? ‘The basic concept is exploring this Swami character we’ve created, who’s running around on his inner safari in the ether. During his safari he interacts and meets all kinds of gods, crazy creatures and fantastical people and places taken out of ancient mythology. A new tee is designed and produced each month in association with a specific artist’. How does this fit in with everything else that you’re doing? ‘This is the first phase of Project Marrakech, an online exploration and transition of real world fashion into a digital space. Swami Safari is a side project for the etc. label but its also part of a totally different direction. Currently the fashion industry is very backwards, very archaic, very traditional. We’re trying to break that model and the inflexibility behind it by going online and direct to our (potential) customers’. What are the core themes inspiring Swami Safari each month? ‘The main theme is mythology, then ancient history and culture. The underlying creative themes are obviously the story telling aspect and James’ artistic style too. But purely in terms of monthly inspiration I’d also consider contemporary and ancient religions, spirituality and all things airy and fairy that are difficult to define. The things science can’t measure or comprehend – which mean that it avoids definition and one-minded interpretation’. We’ve got three Swami Safari tees to give away. Leave a comment telling us which mythology you’d like to see explored by the Swami in an upcoming month and we’ll announce the three lucky winners with a comment on Friday Dec 22.
Also by ANDY
After weeks of packing Australia’s crate with the best of Aussie nightlife, our crate was farewelled in lavish style at the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange send-off party in Sydney last week. We discovered Australia is swapping with Brazil, so we’re hanging out for the samba and cachaça to sway ashore and lead us astray. Lost At E Minor contributor Michelle Wilding captured the vibe of the night and Aussie nightlife with this video.
The AP Tour brought metalcore music heavyweights and a convoy of sponsor vans head-first into a stormy Seattle last night. The Hurley denim reps were rattled; they’d endured a long drive from Utah through what they described as the worst weather they’d ever experienced. Joking around with them before the show I realised how shaken up these guys actually were; hands were still shaking and their laughter was racked by nerves. Read more
NOW: an Analog Moving Picture Project
There’s a great story behind this prog-surf film. Riley Blakeway was an aspiring surf film-maker with incredible talent and a handfull of small film projects to his name. Chippa Wilson was a relatively unknown but amazing aerial surfer without the opportunity to show the world what he could do. In 2009, they won STAB magazine’s Little Weeds competition, respectively taking out the film-maker and surfer prizes. Read more
YOU'RE SAYING (16)
Es said | 15 December, 2006
The Olympians are always a good one. I would like to see Athena being featured, seeing as though she’s the goddess of domestic arts & war. It can be the war against bad taste, and as her symbol is the owl, maybe you can have a owl perched into a crayon tree where the branches are crayons & the colours spill into the sky. Or a monochrome version of what I just described.
I’m also a fan of Romulus & Remus drinking the milk from the tits of the she-wolf. That would make a lovely detailed drawing on a T don’t you think.
Ian M. said | 15 December, 2006
the surf gods…we need a good surf swell due to having crap waves recently :[
Gary said | 15 December, 2006
Honestly, I believe everyone will be intrigued to see Swami exploring the Egyptian mythology as, of today, amazingly it’s still shrouded in mystery with its ancient hieroglyphs, tombs and pyramids.
Legendary and historic. Complex yet alluring. The physical and spiritual attraction it offers will definitely lead Swami and inevitably us to further explore and experience the adventure of a lifetime!
Dittmar said | 16 December, 2006
Tarot mythology. All cards indicate that I want a shirt.
hussy said | 16 December, 2006
the mythology of rockology … wolfmother; leather pants; and the mighty heavy metal salute.
lastworthy said | 18 December, 2006
how about slavic mythology? all kinds of fun/underappreciated stuff, Koschei the deathless, baba yaga, underwater kingdoms, prophetic birds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Vasnetsov_Sirin_Alkonost.jpg
luchinko said | 21 December, 2006
I think any exploration should start within, Swami should realise him/herself as a baby, new to the world and excited by ordinary objects… a sort of renewed vision of life and all the coolness within it!!!
George said | 21 December, 2006
If your really trying to break the cycle of the ‘backwards’ fashion world:
1) go study fashion
2) try doing something stussy hasn’t already done
3) do something forward…….starting a t’shirt label isn’t the most ‘OUT OF THE BOX’ thing
….why don’t you try colouring books.
Alex said | 21 December, 2006
Gypsy (Roma) mythology, such as vampires and werewolves would be kind of cool. The less well known stories and characters/creatures could be explored as well.
ANASTASIA said | 21 December, 2006
the russians are definately responsible for bringing more than just vodka to the world…. swami may care to delve into the battle between belobog & chernobog, fly with the sunbird, dive underwater and peruse vodniks’ collection of jarred souls… or bring to light many of the other much underappreciated russian jems
Rob said | 22 December, 2006
Swami should tap into the mythology of Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq). Te land of the Tigris river and the Euphrates is full of amazing myths and stories but also because Iraqs cultural heritage is being so terribly pillaged and forgotten with all the horror thats happening there now. I was particularly thinking of the story of Gilgamesh, the oldest ever recorded epic . It is about King Gilgamesh and his buddy Enkidu’s wild adventures and its full of quests and monsters and sex with sacred prostitutes and drinking and swearing and fighting and killing and grumpy gods and journeys to the underworld and so forth….lots of fantastical good stuff to draw images from.
Salimah said | 22 December, 2006
Yoruba mythology is really dynamic, beautiful and sometimes frightening, almost always allegorical.
Squee said | 22 December, 2006
How about the mythology of the Magic 8 Ball… how is it that it always knows the right answer in a time of need…
Zolton said | 22 December, 2006
Thanks to all the entries and the creative suggestions. The three winners of Swami t-shirts are Rob, Anatasia, and Es. Congrats to all. If you can email me with your postal details, we can get an awesome Swami shirt to you shortly after Christmas.
Mario said | 23 February, 2007
Urban mythology
HAVE YOUR SAY
While most of us can successfully fold a paper airplane correctly, and a small percentage of overachievers can actually make an origami swan, Korean artist Cheong-ah Hwang is literally taking paper art to the next level. Read more
Though artistic genres from the last couple centuries inform Marc Burckhardt’s style, he is not a period fetishist. The playful way in which he incorporates visual jokes and modern themes has a simplicity to it, making each of his images self-contained and elegant. Read more
Welcome to the street where originality lives: the adidas Originals neighborhood. This is where athletes, musicians, skaters, artists, entertainers and more all come together to show their colors, their style and their originality. Join Snoop Dogg, Agnes Deyn, Jeremy Scott and more at the adidas Originals street party to end all street parties. Celebrate Originality.
Attention Asian fetishists: Sanrio is about to open a Hello Kitty theme park in the city of Anji in Zhejiang Province, China. It will be the first of such parks outside of Japan.
All the trash of modern pop culture heaped in one place, Flash Glam Trash shows stuff like stills from long forgotten cult films, memes like people emulating the David Bowie lightening flash, Micky Mouse ears, or the documentary pictures of a man who photographs prostitutes. Sign up and add your contribution to the mire. Read more
I love this track by London based rock group, Scanners, which is off their latest album, Submarine. Having toured with acts such as The Horrors, The Wedding Present, The Charlatans, Electric Six, and Juliette & The Licks, Scanners could well blow up in 2010. Figuratively speaking, not literally. No, that wouldn’t be fun.
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Australian footwear label THE HORSE was founded upon an ethical vision of highest quality Italian leather for the fashioned gentleman, the discerning lady, and the recalcitrant youngster. Even better, they’re offering you 10 percent off until the end of September with the promo code ‘kareena’.
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
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A little infectious lollipop rock anyone? Feel free to embarrass yourself singing along at the stoplight. If the other drivers give you that look, roll down the windows and spread the love.
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It’s refreshing to see artists like Joe Kievitt who are contented to explore the beauty in simple forms and asymmetrical patterns. Read more
Get lost in a daydream or a craving for something sweet while gazing at these cool sculptures by Brooklyn-based WiNK WiNK PONY. Made using clay, tree bark, wood, and mossy moss.
Here are a couple awesome pieces by Matt Leines that were recently on display in the Doubting Thomases exhibit at Nudashank gallery in Baltimore. Gives me ideas for Halloween. Read more
This cool black unisex t shirt by UK label Client is made in England, printed in Berlin, and beautifully packaged in East Berlin cartonage, especially designed for Client. Read more
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Monty said | 15 December, 2006
If the t-shirts are anywhere as cool as the photos, then I’m putting my hand up for one right now …!