Bringing Style Back to the Tees: Momimomi

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home > arts,culture&fashion > Bringing Style Back to the Tees: Momimomi

September 22, 2008 3:35 PM
by Bridgette Prentice

A t-shirt consists of three tubular pieces of fabric. It’s pulled over the head and covers most of the upper torso. It’s the most widely used item of clothing in the world dating back to the time of the Egyptians. Today the t-shirt has become a great canvas for artistic expression, but with all the modern alterations and creative adjustments it seems we’ve forgotten about its fundamentals. Many companies may claim to understand the concept of the “original” tee, but there is one that does it best. In their own words the designers behind Momimomi explain, “…distilled out of a love for thin, soft, history-worn tees; the faded, narrative laden skin of the vintage tee became our canvas.”

If you aren’t already familiar with Momimomi, it’s a t-shirt company headed by a team of Miami natives. Danny Ledder and Olin McKenzie created the brand in fall of 2001 when their “jobs failed to provide the creative outlet needed.” They have since expanded to LA and NY.

Momimomi [moe-mi, moe-mi] (the term has Japanese roots and means, “any massaging motion that you do with both hands simultaneously,”) is as unique as its name. The tees are made to feel baby-soft and are covered in abstract prints. Their prints follow a well researched theme each season, their latest being “Tar and Feather – Summer ’08.”

It’s refreshing to see T-shirts with pure art, rather than some statement-making one-liner. Neither Ledder nor McKenzie have their education in fashion, but when asked about what motivates their eye-catching and original designs they thoughtfully explained that, “layered histories, culturally rich locales, mother nature, persistent street art, and all things surreal,” are their major sources of inspiration.

The innovative Momimomi continues its steady growth. They are working on new cuts, styles and graphic techniques and plan on redesigning their website for the fall/holiday season. So while you are shopping on their interactive site don’t forget to join the “Momi TEeA Party,” where you can become the owner of a limited production tee shirt (Black TEeA, Green TEeA, White TEeA, etc.) with an original silkscreen, different from anything else in their line.

If you aren’t already convinced and scrolling through their website, you can continue to read about their praises in the pages of GQ, Nylon Guys, The NY Times, and Cargo Magazine. Don’t let their humble demeanor fool you!