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maison kitsune

May 31, 2019

Top 10 Graphic Print T-Shirts

No matter if you’re team front print or back print, prefer your top half attire colourful or monochromatic, we can all agree that nothing screams summer like a good old-fashioned graphic t-shirt. Lightweight, breathable and packing a sufficiently weighty visual punch they are a great way to add some extra depth to your outfits when the spring layers begin to come away and your shorts finally find their way back from the dark corners of your winter wardrobe. So, with the temperature rising and the allure of the local beer garden becoming almost unbearable there has never been a better time to stockpile your short sleeve essentials and bulk up with a heaping helping of colourful callouts.

Maison Kitsune

With a music label, coffee shops and an astoundingly good ready-to-wear line under their belt you’d probably imagine that Maison Kitsune are about ready to take a back seat and appreciate the multifaceted, tricolour empire they’ve manged to construct around them. Well, as the Franco-Japanese brand unveils its plans to open the first of its Kitsune hotels in 2020, we’re here to tell you that’s where your wrong and we have just the crustacean based t-shirt to prove it. Boasting a ribbed neck and cotton jersey fabric, the t-shirt swaps out the usual fox motif for a crab resulting in both a classically refined Kitsune style illustration and a clever bit of advertising for their Bali based accommodation. Top marks from us.

Paul & Shark

Continuing the theme of sea-based creatures up next we have Paul & Shark. Keeping quality high on the agenda the Italian yachting brand takes the humble t-shirt and imbues it seam to seam with their usual premium craftsmanship. Displaying a colourful rendition of the classic shark logo screen printed to the chest the garment is rounded out with double-stitched hems, a ribbed neck and a slightly less weighty cotton perfect for the rising temperatures.

Patagonia

No stranger to the occasional colourful back print, Patagonia again return this season with a fresh addition to their t-shirt line-up. Made From 100% organic in the brand’s typical ecological fashion, the t-shirt comes with taped shoulder seams for improved shape retention and a bold psychedelic mountain sunset scene plastered to the rear. If this doesn’t make you want to power your way to the top of the nearest slight incline we don’t know what will.

Ten C

In-keeping with the brand’s militaristic aesthetic this Ten C t-shirt swaps out loud prints for a more subdued approach, instead opting to let it’s Italian made quality do all the talking. With side splits adding an extra dash of functionality and a bound neck for structure the t-shirt is rounded out with a lowkey shoulder logo print.

Paul Smith

In somewhat contrasting fashion, next up is British designer Paul Smith. Using their affinity for colourful characters the short sleeve top exchanges the usual zebra motif for a slightly more morbid line-up of printed skulls to the chest. Subtly flanked by the brands logo below the t-shirt is made from 100% cotton and comes with the selection of ribbing naturally found in a top-half garment of this stature.

adidas

Tapping into one of our most basic human instincts, the need for an ice lolly when it’s a bit hot, adidas apply a playful approach to the conventional double-sided formula. Working the classic trefoil logo into a vibrant tropical island scene to the front, the t-shirt employs a, ‘juicy mix icecream’ print emblazoned to the back.

Stussy

Of course, it wouldn’t be right to do a rundown of some of our favourite printed bits without mentioning Stussy. With arguably one of the most recognised logos in the streetwear game and an impressive resume serving up some of the best in graphic-heavy garments it doesn’t come as any surprise that they found their way onto the guest list. This particular specimen displays the aforementioned script callout to the front with a circular emblem print to the back for expected levels of effortless appeal.

Comme des Garcons

Brandishing a piquant yellow base this t-shirt from Comme des Garcons is a must have for the more minimally minded among us. With a completely clean front and accompanying logo back print, the t-shirt is crafted from a slight stretch material for bonus comfort points.

Ralph Lauren

Retaining a staunch preppy swagger with an added helping of patriotic flair the best dressed bear in fashion returns just in time for the hot weather. Cut in a custom slim fit associated with the New York based brand, the t-shirt is topped off with some tasteful branding and a contrasting ribbed neckline.

DSquared2

For those looking for a more high-end addition to their summer shirting Canadian born twins Dan and Dean canten of DSquared2 have got you covered. Put together with fit and quality in mind the t-shirt sees the world-renowned logo reworked into a contemporary overlapped design that takes centre stage for an unmistakable finish.

Shop all the t-shirts listed above as well as plenty of other short sleeve styles online and in store now.

April 19, 2019

Parisian Perfection: APC & Maison Kitsune

Paris has long been regarded as a cultural epicentre; not just of fashion, but of style. While some of the world’s biggest luxury brands call the City of Lights their home, it’s Paris’s inhabitants that have captured the world’s collective eye. Whether taking a break at a café, running errands or just strolling around the arondissements, there’s just something about Paris that brings out that laid-back style. Get some of that style savoir-faire for yourself with the latest from A.P.C. and Maison Kitsune.

A.P.C. & Maison Kitsune SS’19

Both hailing from Paris, these two brands capture their home city’s vibe perfectly through their use of classic patterns, relaxed cuts and playful graphics. We’ve highlighted some of our favourite pieces in our latest editorial shoot. It may not be Paris, but it comes pretty darn close.

Higher or Lower?

There’s no simpler men’s style technique than ‘high-low’ dressing: that is, pairing something considered traditionally smart with more casual pieces. Take the combo above, for example: while the APC coat is of a classic ‘Balmacaan’ style, the custom-woven fabric is spring weight and lightens the silhouette considerably. Meanwhile, the Maison Kitsune t-shirt is one of the more subdued pieces in the brand’s lineup, but holds its own thanks to the slubby cotton jersey and superior Portuguese construction.

Both pieces complement each other effortlessly for a smart-casual double whammy. Combine this with the glen-plaid check pattern of the A.P.C. coat and the muted graphic on the Maison Kitsune t-shirt for extra Paris-points.

Daily Chores

There’s probably no more stereotypically ‘French’ garment than the striped long-sleeve t-shirt, so it’s no surprise one would appear here. For decades, actors, musicians and general cool people have turned to the classic mariniere as part of their daily uniform. It’s no surprise — they pretty much go with anything, from workwear to cutting edge capital-F Fashion. This version from Maison Kitsune is a beauty, constructed from a satisfyingly weighty jersey fabric and finished with the brand’s signature Fox logo.

We paired it with A.P.C.‘s upscale take on the traditional bleu de travail French worker’s jacket, which elevates the functionality of the original with a textured fabric and metallic buttons for a contemporary take on classic Gallic garms.

The Parisian Job

Still on an elevated workwear vibe, the above outfit is based around A.P.C.‘s two-piece Job set. Comprising an overshirt and a pair of straight-leg carpenter pants, the ensemble swerves away from painter-decorator territory with the use of a luxe striped fabric, delivering the typically Parisian skew on Americana that only A.P.C. can provide.

Wear the full set or mix and match the pieces with your existing wardrobe — the trousers in particular are something special, complete with the full complement of utility pockets and hammer loop. Throw on one of Maison Kitsune‘s beefy-yet-refined hoodies for the chillier days and you’re set for Springtime in Paris (or wherever else you happen to end up).

Check out the brands’ pages for even more of the good stuff, and make sure to keep an eye on our social feeds for the latest drops.

January 29, 2019

Maison Kitsune Brand Guide

Maison Kitsune’s modern take on the classic Parisien style has seen the brand develop an ineffable coolness

Maison Kitsune Brand

The worlds of music and fashion have always walked hand-in-hand; for youth subcultures from mods to punks to hip-hop heads, the clothes they wore were of equal importance to the music they listened to. Specific brands and items have even been intrinsically linked with certain musical styles or groups, like skinheads with Dr Martens and Fred Perry, or the Wu-Tang Clan with Clarks Wallabees. But it’s not usual to find a brand that has a direct link to the music industry through its own record label — meet the Maison Kitsune brand.

Founded as a record label in 2002 by the Franco-Japanese duo of Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki, Kitsuné branched out into clothing early into its life, delivering its first ready-to-wear collection in 2005 and introducing its very endearing fox logo embroidery. The collision of music and fashion has always been central to the brand’s ethos since its inception. Loaëc had moved from Brittany to Paris to open up a record store, where he got to know regular customers Daft Punk – the world-famous electronic music duo, known as musical tastemakers and eccentric dressers – and eventually became the group’s art director and manager. Kuroki, meanwhile, was more from the design side of the spectrum, moving from Tokyo to Paris at age 12 and graduating as an architect in 1999.

Loaëc and Kuroki knew one another as acquaintances through Loaëc’s record store, but didn’t really become close friends until Loaëc needed a guide for Tokyo during a Japanese trip to oversee the production of Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555, an animé companion piece to their Discovery album. Kuroki came to mind immediately, and during the trip the two bonded over their shared loves of music and fashion, and the concept for Kitsuné – something that would combine music, image and clothing – was born.

Alongside the first ready-to-wear collection, Kitsuné released the first in a series of highly popular and influential compilation albums, showcasing the likes of Hot Chip, Digitalism and the Klaxons long before their mainstream success. Having grown organically since then — and remaining an independent company — the Maison Kitsune label has not only opened 16 boutiques across the world, including Paris, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Honolulu, but also their own Café Kitsuné in Paris and Tokyo, along with plans for a Kitsuné Hotel in Bali, Indonesia cementing the brand’s image as a fully-fledged lifestyle destination.

The inspiration behind Maison Kitsune

Kuroki designs the clothing collection, using his architectural background and Japanese influences to create designs that channel classic Parisien chic with a modern approach to preppy style that exudes an air of ineffable cool. Each of the brand’s basic pieces is made in Portugal by small factories that are selected for their artisanal techniques, ensuring that Maison Kitsuné t-shirts and sweatshirts are some of the best you can buy. The brand have also recently expanded their selection to more ready-made cut-and-sew pieces like shirts, trousers and suiting, alongside footwear in collaboration with specialist companies like Pierre Hardy and Brandblack.

Having come this far through their own merits, with a finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist and an eye for details, The Maison Kitsune brand is sure to continue to grow from strength to strength. Shop the first drop from Spring/Summer ’19 today at Aphrodite, and look out for more Maison Kitsuné as the year goes on.

Shop Maison Kitsuné Now

January 23, 2019

New to Aphrodite: Maison Kitsuné

Here at Aphrodite we’re huge fans of an animal logo: from the iconic Lacoste crocodile to Paul Smith’s psychedelic rainbow zebra. Joining these illustrious ranks is our latest brand — Maison Kitsuné.

Originally a (very cool) record label, the Franco-Japanese brand now runs a (very cool) clothing range alongside it, which we are delighted to welcome to our racks this Spring. The first drop starts off strong with a spread of wardrobe essentials, all crafted in Portugal by carefully-selected manufacturers with a certain artisanal savoir-faire that manifests in the softly-worn vintage appearance of the garments. The defining feature, though, is that amazing tricouleur-flavoured fox embroidery to the chest, giving that effortless Parisian flair the brand is known for.

Encompassing sweatshirts, polos and both long and short sleeved t-shirts, the first arrival from Maison Kitsuné is available instore and online now. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for more as it arrives, along with the rest of our Spring/Summer ’19 ranges.

Shop Maison Kitsune Now