It may seem to the untrained eye that tees with graphic print are a constant in the fashion world. Those involved with fashion know, however, that this is not true. Even a brand like Stone Island, who have always put discreet logos on their garments, letting the materials and design speak for themselves, have started printing big logos on their t-shirts. This also goes for their side line Shadow Project, where the clothes are even more discreet.
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ingle-color or striped t-shirts, where the only decoration, at its boldest, was a sewn on chest pocket in a contrasting color, were all the rage a few years back. But today, the pendulum has swung back. Maybe this is in part due to the influence of Japanese designers on contemporary fashion. Since long, people in the west have loved Japanese vintage and faux-vintage tees, and designers in Japan and abroad have profited from this.
But Japanese design has always been about being bold, too, and producing prints with hotdogs and apes on them. Anyone who knows anything about Japanese fashion has heard of Nigo and his brands A Bathing Ape and Billionaire Boys Club, who are famous thanks to their prints. Prints have always been an important part of street fashion.