SkinnyMunster - Tee Designer Interviews : IGGI'S COALITION

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SKM : Do introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your brand.

IGGI : IGGI'S CULTURE COALITION is about morals, virtues, social issues (cliche as it may seem..coz some brands actually don't have meanings behind their designs they go like "hey let's put a skull here or or a splash of paint here!" and then they say its about social issues! Puhleeeeeazzze!!!gimme a break dude..). As i was saying - IGGI'S CULTURE COALITION is the reflection of morals, virtues, the way i view social issues, and even some of my past experiences and lessons i've learnt up to this point in my life. We utilise asian art and drawings to speak about these issues and fuse them occasionally with modern themes and westernised elements - hence CULTURE COALITION.

SKM : What inspired you to create this brand?
IGGI : Well firstly - I love asian art - Paintings, vases, tables, temple roofs. Most things with traditional asian art in it and inspired by more than 50 years of culture.The details, intricacies and gracefulness of asian art and culture just blow me mind!It's amazing! And also coz i love the lowly t-shirt. When i started to travel more in my late teens,i realised that the only stuff i actually looked out for when i'm on holiday were tees.It's like realising i had a fetish!hahaha..Uh dude,that didn't sound too right did it? Anyways,so i've always thought about what the heck i'd do with my 1 chance at life. I didn't want to be like all those people on the train at 7am in the morning standing holding onto the grips with their eyes closed. And my Dad always told me how lucky someone would be to to something he's passionate about and make money out of it. In my eyes when i was in primary school and really into basketball back then - NBA stars were the lucky bastards!

As for spreading messages on the ts, ya know the whole "using the t-shirt" as a canvas thing? That only came about later when i realised the power i wielded when i already started IGGI'S CULTURE COALITION. I did think about becoming a priest when i was younger so i could help change people's lives? But hey,who am i kidding? Celebacy??? No no no no no no...so i junked that thought but the want to help improve people's lives, to encourage those who have fallen and bring a smile to people's faces never left me. So that's how i hope to use the compassion that God gave me.I think that's my gift - compassion and empathy. Yes - i am rather talentless.

SKM : What do you think are the defining charateristics of your brand?

IGGI : Definitely the use of asian art across all our designs. But i hope people would wear my stuff coz it inspired them or lifted them up in a difficult situation. Simplicity and non-mainstream not only define the designs but my life as well. As my dad always says - KISS (keep it simple STUPID!)

SKM : Who or what has the most influence in your creative design?

IGGI : Evrything around me. From sermons i hear in church that ring a bell in my head, my aspect on things in life or the way i see people behaving (their false pride and selfishness), things i hear people say, up to places i'm in. Or even posters, colour combinations, signboards, postcards..you name it, i'm gonna tell you it's so possible to get inspired from it.

SKM : Name one streetwear brand which makes up the most numbers in your wadrobe.

IGGI : haha..I told you i love my job! whaddya think? I sample each and every design in almost every colour. Other than my own stuff, i'd have to say an assortment of stuff i'd order on-line.

SKM : 3 things you would want to see happening in the creative t-shirt scene.

IGGI : It'd be great if more local designers had a bit more faith in themselves and their God-given talents and take the step to getting their gear on the streets and save Sinagporeans from bullshit copymachine labels. Their shit really..They just buy the originals and slap their brands on the tees and they have the cheek to tell customers that I copied their design? Piece of advice, next time you rip off a design, be sure to remove the original brand's logo first? Dipshits.. Okay..enough hate..

It would also be fantastic if local consumers supported local labels! I must say i have been very lucky in that aspect.I should take this opportunity to say thanks to all the ladies and fellas who have been supporting IGGI'S this past year and a half and understanding that we are still growing. You guys have been too kind and thanks for the encouragement. The 3rd? well - it would be great if singaporeans made up their minds on their own instead of referring to friends and fashion trends for what's safe to be wear. I've actually had this dude who came into my shop. He looked at my tees and asked me why i was doing these types of designs? Then he said the unthinkable: "This is not in fashion! You should follow the trend!" Then i looked at his shirt which had a credit card company's logo on it - the kind they give to the people who do roadshows (no offense intended, it is a proper job) - and i thought to myself - that's why you will always for _______ (insert credit card company's name).

SK : What would be your biggest dream project?

IGGI: My biggest dream project? nah..none..It is my dream for IGGI'S to go global - to places i myself have never been. But most importantly, it would be to be able to wake up everyday and thank God for giving me another day. If you're asking about collabs and things like that - i'd have to say i'd get a real kick to see Bono from U2 in an IGGI'S CULTURE COALITION Tee. It's great we have superstars like him still walking the earth. Oh and of course - i'd love to work with you munsters! haha!

SK : Thanks a lot iggi! Any parting shots before we end this interview?

IGGI : Go for what's really important in life - Love. Know your priorities and take the time to spend it with the people you love and the ones you find hard to love. And give up your seats on public transportation to the elderly and pregnant ladies. Parents - control your kids, they're really not as amusing as you think.