DERMIT AND HORN
What makes the perfect T-Shirt "perfect"?
Well, it should fit comfortably. Neither too tight nor too roomy. The neckline should sit nicely. Just the right height. Neither too high nor too low. The sleeves and neck should be bound with a trim that has that vintage feeling, bringing back memories of your favourite, old faded shirts. Or maybe childhood summers.
The 100% premium cotton should be pure and light - but not too light. Holes, rips, studs, tie dying, paint splatters and any other gimmicks should be avoided. Any graphics should provoke thought - maybe even a double take - in passers-by. They should be unique and interesting. The garment should be made in New Zealand with care and consideration.
But no matter how hard they looked, the two collaborators behind the brand, Dermit & Horn, could not locate that perfect T-Shirt. So they did what any self-respecting and creative individuals would do ; they made their own. After hours of discussion and design, days sourcing the best fabric, weeks seeking out the perfect manufacturer, fit modelling and washing trials and months researching, then tweeking, the visuals that would best grace the perfect T-shirt, Dermit and Horn are proud to present& Dermit & Horn, a collection of perfect, and perfectly awe-inspiring, T-shirts. For men and women.
At first glance, the graphics chosen and adapted for this collection have a playfulness to them. Kittens, birds, mice. Awww. But look closer and theres a darkness lurking beneath these art-inspired illustrations. "There's an air of the absurd," the designers say. "As though the narrative might unnerve you if you look too long."
Nothing happens at Dermit & Horn that isn't carefully considered. "We collaborate on everything, down to the last detail," the designers say. "From the graphics on the T-shirts ; we look at where every point of every drawing should sit - to the envelopes in which we send out letters." This costs the pair a lot of time, a few heated discussions and many beverages. So the local cafes are benefiting and so are Dermit & Horn's growing legion of loyal fans.
Will Handley "Dermit" is a successful New Zealand-based artist with three, mostly-sold-out solo exhibitions to his name. His half of the business is named after his former piano teacher. He no longer plays piano but he still likes the name. Handley decided it would be a good idea to start a label with Wilson after he saw her wearing a cat mask at a party (and it wasn't a costume party either).
Elizabeth Wilson ; "Horn" worked as a graphic designer before completing a course in fashion design at Massey University. She went on to make the final eight in the Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador competition in 2007, after which she worked as a design assistant and intern at the Karen Walker label for just under a year. Wilson decided it would be worth starting a label with Handley after he walked into a caf? wearing a top he'd made, featuring the face of a young David Bowie.
Dermit & Horn's first collection is available from March in New Zealand's premium fashion boutiques: Fabric, Artikel, General Cucumber and Wunderkammer.
Well, it should fit comfortably. Neither too tight nor too roomy. The neckline should sit nicely. Just the right height. Neither too high nor too low. The sleeves and neck should be bound with a trim that has that vintage feeling, bringing back memories of your favourite, old faded shirts. Or maybe childhood summers.
The 100% premium cotton should be pure and light - but not too light. Holes, rips, studs, tie dying, paint splatters and any other gimmicks should be avoided. Any graphics should provoke thought - maybe even a double take - in passers-by. They should be unique and interesting. The garment should be made in New Zealand with care and consideration.
But no matter how hard they looked, the two collaborators behind the brand, Dermit & Horn, could not locate that perfect T-Shirt. So they did what any self-respecting and creative individuals would do ; they made their own. After hours of discussion and design, days sourcing the best fabric, weeks seeking out the perfect manufacturer, fit modelling and washing trials and months researching, then tweeking, the visuals that would best grace the perfect T-shirt, Dermit and Horn are proud to present& Dermit & Horn, a collection of perfect, and perfectly awe-inspiring, T-shirts. For men and women.
At first glance, the graphics chosen and adapted for this collection have a playfulness to them. Kittens, birds, mice. Awww. But look closer and theres a darkness lurking beneath these art-inspired illustrations. "There's an air of the absurd," the designers say. "As though the narrative might unnerve you if you look too long."
Nothing happens at Dermit & Horn that isn't carefully considered. "We collaborate on everything, down to the last detail," the designers say. "From the graphics on the T-shirts ; we look at where every point of every drawing should sit - to the envelopes in which we send out letters." This costs the pair a lot of time, a few heated discussions and many beverages. So the local cafes are benefiting and so are Dermit & Horn's growing legion of loyal fans.
Will Handley "Dermit" is a successful New Zealand-based artist with three, mostly-sold-out solo exhibitions to his name. His half of the business is named after his former piano teacher. He no longer plays piano but he still likes the name. Handley decided it would be a good idea to start a label with Wilson after he saw her wearing a cat mask at a party (and it wasn't a costume party either).
Elizabeth Wilson ; "Horn" worked as a graphic designer before completing a course in fashion design at Massey University. She went on to make the final eight in the Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador competition in 2007, after which she worked as a design assistant and intern at the Karen Walker label for just under a year. Wilson decided it would be worth starting a label with Handley after he walked into a caf? wearing a top he'd made, featuring the face of a young David Bowie.
Dermit & Horn's first collection is available from March in New Zealand's premium fashion boutiques: Fabric, Artikel, General Cucumber and Wunderkammer.