Wednesday StyleCrave: Darkhorse Tees

The ubiquity of streetwear t-shirt lines has reached epic proportions. Everyone and their mother–or, more likely, everyone and their friends from high school– have sweet ideas for clever, limited edition (because they can only afford to print so many) graphic tees with retro, tongue-in-cheek, pop-culture references.
So, what makes Toronto’s Darkhorse different? Well, they get too things absolutely right: execution (print quality) and inspiration (graphic content).  Continue reading for more on the Darkhorse line, plus many pics and videos…

First off, whichever one of them went to art school was really paying attention. The print quality, colors, and graphic treatments are super crisp. The attention to detail shows a level of professionalism that most street tee lines fail to adopt. Second, if there’s one lesson Darkhorse has to teach other brands it’s that every great t-shirt line starts with a dynamic, distinct inspiration. Getting this right is about cultivating a library of references, motifs, and symbols that communicate a common attitude, tone, and style with each design. For Darkhorse that common thread is embodied by Grace Jones, the brand’s defining muse.

As a musician, Jones’ work was unclassifiable; other artists whose music is similarly hard to define: Prince, Queen, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, The Clash. All of them are referenced in Darkhorse designs. Grace also exuded a freaky, ’80s-house-and-disco sexuality that is a huge aspect of the Darkhorse vibe. The designs are brimming with innuendo that strikes a perfect balance between hilarity and inappropriateness. Darkhorse, then, throws everything in a blender with another one of Grace Jones’ passions– high fashion. Their designs, particularly for women’s tees, reflect Jones’ irreverent approach to high couture by re-appropriating names, slogans, and symbols. If you’re looking for one reason why Darkhorse is responsible for some of the most provocative, funny, well-designed tees on the market, look no further than the ’07 women’s tee, featuring “Eat My Pucci,” in large, Miami-pastel, pro-nails-colored letters. ‘Nuff said, really.

The Spring/Summer ’08 collection is just sneaking into stores. Don’t be the last one to be up on Darkhorse. It’d really be embarrassing.

S/S ’08 inspiration: cowgirls, Hajime Sorayama, Daft Punk, cycling, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, France, and, of course, Ms. Jones

Favorites from ’07

And just so you know:
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