Closeknit Clothing

India - The Motherland

2009-01-28T07:21:00.000-08:00

I don't think any other country in the world is referred to as the "Motherland" other than India. Why? For example, like a mother she has sheltered numerous religions, peoples, beliefs, cultures, art forms, etc for centuries and continues to do so. She represents diversity. India is the largest democracy in the world.

All major religions of the world are given equal importance in India. Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism started in India; Islam, Christianity, and Judaism came to India shaping and combining with the native religions.

For example because of the Islamic influence in Northern India, most Hindu's cover their head in prayer unlike the ones in the South. A lot of Christian Churches in Southern India use "Deepa Valkas" or oil wick lamps instead of candles in worship due to Hindu influence. One of the largest synagogues in the world Paradesi Synagogue is in Cochin, a city in Southern India. There you have to take your shoes off to enter, again due to Hindu influence.

Buddhist sculptures in the north have the Greek Influence. The sculptures there have curly hair, anglicized features, and their garments are in "wet drapery" just like the Greek and Roman statues of the west. The Muslim Kings gave India the greatest monument to love the "Taj Mahal" built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. They brought their style of architecture from Persia to combine with the temples that already existed in India.

When the Christian pilgrims came to India, they built beautiful Catholic Churches in Goa and Syrian Christian Churches in the South.

India even has a French colony in the south Pondicherry where French is the main language spoken.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made his home in Darmasala, India for many years after leaving his homeland Tibet.

When the British came they brought 2 very important things the English language and the railroad. Before every few hundred miles there was a different King and language. The English language unified the country. The British might have oppressed India but they did bring English.

Recently Samsung moved to Chennai, bringing along its Korean families. There is now a large number of Koreans who have built Korean schools and Korean fast food restaurants. But of course they serve no beef, due to the Hindu influence.

When someone asks an Indian where are you from? They have got to be very specific because our languages, cultures, religions vary by region. Even within the same religion there are different practices, languages, cultures, etc.

Comments like " oh I just loved Monsoon Wedding, is your wedding going to be like that"
No maybe if someone is a Punjabi Hindu. A Punjabi Muslim can't relate or a Punjabi Sikh or anyone from the South.

" I just love Indian food, Palak Paneer is my favorite" ok, but a South Indian can't relate to that because they don't make that dish in the South.

"Indians don't eat meat do they? "- wrong a large amount do, A lot of Hindus, Jain, and Buddhists practice vegetarianism and a lot don't, depends on your culture, region, and your own personal beliefs.

"I loved Bend it like Beckham, does your family have parties like that? Do you know how to dance Bhangra" - that movie
relates to a Punjabi Sikh girl, and she's British. Bhangra is "Indian Hip Hop" but pertains to the North not the South.

Bollywood movies, hey everyone loves them right? Again the language is Hindi, only certain amount of Indians know the language everyone else watches it with subtitles. Hindi might be a national language of India, but so is Tamil, English, Telegu, etc. the list goes on.

India is definitely the motherland as for centuries now it has welcomed many types of people, religion, and cultures and continues to do so. No region of India is the same. It is like 75 countries put into one. One fantastic thing about it for travelers is that everyone speaks English or at least pretends to understand.

In conclusion you have to be very specific with an Indian, there is just no way to generalize India or its people.

Afghanistan Exhibit Asian Art Museum San Francisco

2009-01-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

I recently saw the exhibition "Afghanistan" Hidden Treasures from the Nation Museum of Kabul.
When one thinks of Afghanistan the thoughts that come to mind are that the country is a war zone, Islamic culture, and that it is a landlocked country. What makes this exhibition so interesting is the story behind it. The country has been at war for decades, since the Soviet invasion of 1979. Buildings, Mosques, Museums have all been destroyed due to war. The National Museum at Kabul had long thought they had lost important artifacts and masterpieces due to the conflict. Instead a group of people dedicated to preserving Afghanistan's cultural and artistic history had hidden many artifacts in crates the in vaults of the Central Bank. In 2004 these crates were found and opened bringing to light works of art that had survived years of war. This exhibit has works on view from Afghan history from 2200 BCE to 200 CE.

Long before Islam came to Afghanistan, the culture was a very mixed as it lies centrally in the "silk route" . Various religions influenced the art from Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, among others. Different peoples including the Greeks, Indians, Chinese all contributed to the art of Afghanistan. One of my favorite pieces was the "Goddess of Love" statue. Like a Greek statue she had on a draped garment, but it was worn like an Indian garment, had a hair style of a young Jewish woman, and a Tilak on the forehead like a Hindu. It was very interesting to see so many cultures & religions had blended together in antiquity to form the face of Afghanistan.

This exhibit comes to Nyc to the Met this year June 2009.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/mission/afghanistan-treasures/index.html

Happy 2009!

2009-01-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

Closeknit Clothing wishes everyone a very happy and healthy 2009! Closeknit will continue to write this blog which will include reviews of various art shows attended, what inspires my designs, as well as travel, and updates on upcoming Closeknit events and new lines.

Wish Everyone the Best!!!

Closeknit featured on Cottonable

2008-09-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Closeknit Clothing has been featured on Cottonable.com, a site for tee shirt designs, trends, and ideas..

check it out below :

http://www.cottonable.com/2008/09/closeknit-shirts-are-hybrids-of.html

Vote for Comedian Sammy Obeid

2008-08-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Closeknit's model comedian Sammy Obeid is participating in a contest. Please vote for him below ( a note also from him is included)

THANKS SO MUCH!

If you can forward this on to anyone who will vote for me I'll so much
appreciate it...its an online competition called "Best Comic Standing"
where winner gets some awesome performance opportunites, cash, and some
other industry work.

Vote for Sammy here:
http://wild949.com/pages/comedyjam2008.html?feed=112695&article=4099953

You can cast one vote per email adress per day...you can vote as many
times as you want from the same computer so long as you clear the cookies
between each vote...and it refreshes the next day so you can use the same
email adress again until the polling ends at 5:00 p.m. this Tuesday,
August 19th. Time is running out and every vote counts!

This means so much to me,
Sammy Obeid
www.SammyKO.com

Horse Exhibit at AMNH

2008-08-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the "Horse" Special Exhibition at the Museum of Natural History. It was very informative about how the horse evolved, and how humans domesticated this animal and its contributions to our society. One very interesting fact is that the game of "Polo" originated in Manipur, India. The British popularized the game, but for hundreds of years before Indians as well as the Kings of the Middle East were playing the game.

http://amnh.org/exhibitions/horse/

Dj Bobby at Color Me Queer Party

2008-07-02T19:09:00.000-07:00

Nyc Dj Bobby rocked a Closeknit tee as he dj'd the Color Me Queer Party at the Highland Ballroom on June 29. The special performer for that night was Queen Harish, The Dancing, Whirling, Desert Drag Queen.

www.queenharish.com

New Collection up

2008-05-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Closeknit is about staying connected. It means exactly this- remaining true to your roots while allowing yourself to be influenced by new things, embracing differences in others and seeing the beauty in life.

Closeknit Clothing is proud to present its new collections for men and women, featuring comedian Sammy Obeid and actress Tiffany Liu.

Highlights of the of the men's collection include the "Yali" design, screened on the lighter weight, slim fit "summer" shirt and the button front polo "leisure" shirt. Other new additions include the Closeknit logo printed in black foil on black background, giving it a tonal effect and a new "deep V" shirt, featuring the "King" design.

The Women's collection has new super soft 50/50 cotton blend melon and purple crew neck shirts. Two new styles for women being introduced this season include the "Deep V" shirts with a slim fit and the sleeveless T's which have a sexy stretch fit.

Closeknit Clothing is an independent and innovative company specializing in casual clothing for young men and women. Closeknit’s designs are hybrids of individual and cultural aesthetics. The graphics are pulled from influences such as skating, music, subculture and art; creating a laid back yet globally aware look.
Created by an artist who graduated from the Parsons School of Design, the graphics are dynamic and unique. Given that each shirt is silk screened by hand, no two t-shirts are the same. The collections change with every season and are made in limited editions. All the shirts are printed on American Apparel products.

The Closeknit Concept: living life with passion and staying connected to those around you while embracing your individuality.

www.closeknitclothing.com

Closeknit's New Collection Debut - Details

2008-05-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

Closeknit Clothing New Collection Debuts- Saturday, May 10th - 29th Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival

Time and PlaceDate:
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Time:
12:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza East 47th street and 2nd Avenue
Street:
East 47th Street
City/Town:
New York, NY

RAIN OR SHINE!!!!

This is the largest Pan Asian outdoor event on the East Coast, with live music, dance, martial arts, film screenings, children's activities, arts and crafts.
Closeknit will have a booth selling designs from past collections as well as colorways not found on the website.
Closeknit will debut its new collection for both men and women.

New Collection will be online starting Monday.

Closeknit's New Women's Collection

2008-05-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Closeknit is proud to introduce actress Tiffany Liu who is our model for the new womens collection debuting Sat May 10th at the 29th Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival.

In her own words

"I was born march 5, 1983 in San Francisco and went to private school till 5th grade, moved to pleasanton for a few years and then moved to fremont for highschool. Graduating San Jose State in one week with a degree in bachelors business marketing. Been acting professionally since I got my agent (Tonry Talent, SF) since early 2005. Planning on moving to LA to pursue acting in commercial, tv, and film. I enjoy long walks on the beach..and I love traveling the world!"

Closeknit's Models

2008-04-27T08:20:00.001-07:00

What is the process behind choosing the models for Closeknit? Many people have asked why Closeknit does not use professional models if it is a fashion brand. Closeknit is more about building an artist's community as well as being a design driven fashion company. Closeknit also has a strong concept behind it.

"Closeknit or being closeknit can refer to your relationship to people, cultures, or ideas"

One important aim of Closeknit is to promote other artists/designers/creative types. All of Closeknit's models are designers or artists in their own right.

Hiro is a painter and illustrator from Japan/Brooklyn who I met while at Parsons School of Design. Anders is a painter and Adam is a product designer, both whom I met while at Parsons. Nicky is a graffiti artist/graphic artist who is currently at The School of Visual Arts. Ian is a shoe designer who I met while we both worked for Fila. And Sammy is an up and coming comedian who I have known from childhood.

I have also been asked the question why only a certain type of model? It’s never been about a certain type. Closeknit is about diversity and about being a globally aware and influenced brand. The requirements to become a Closeknit model is if you would like your own artwork/music/comedy etc promoted and are interested in Closeknit's designs and can relate to the aim and goals of the company.

Funny but true!

2008-04-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

If you are Indian American or Asian American you will find this blog to be true and funny. Even if you are not Asian this blog is to be appreciated. The blog entries, video clips, and photos are very entertaining. The style of writing is witty and very creative.

Check it out...

http://www.stuffindianslike.com/

Saint Thomas More

2008-04-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

When I saw this painting at the Frick Collection some years back, I was stunned by the richness of it. (Especially how well it had been preserved for centuries).

The color, the expression on the sitters face, and how beautifully the velvet on the sleeves was rendered. This painting is from 1527 by Hans Holbein the Younger. I did not remember who the painting was a portrait of.

Last year I became a huge fan of the Tudors on showtime. I watch that show, mostly because of my love of history. I really liked the character of Sir Thomas More and was really drawn in by the character story line. Then I realized that Sir More and Saint More are the same person. I read up on my history and found out that one of my favorite portraits is of Saint Thomas More.

H20 Exhibit at AMNH

2008-04-23T19:26:00.001-07:00

If you haven't seen the H20 exhibit at the Museum of Natural History, go see it!
I admit when I went to go see it I was like, how much can one inform someone about water?
The info graphics were amazing, and the amount of information was mind blowing.
The exhibition covered all topics from history, to archeology, to myths, religion, politics, etc.
One very important fact that I learnt was that there is not enough fresh water on our planet for every person.
Water is an extremely precious commodity and should not be wasted.

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/water/

Color

2008-04-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

I love using color. I love pigment, new hues, paints, inks, crayons, etc. Usually designers start with a Pantone Standard Color book, or (PMS) colors when deciding to mix a color for printing. I usually flip through the book like a color wheel and start mixing my own pigments. Almost all the shirts for Closeknit have been printed with ink that has been hand mixed. I never match a color to a PMS swatch, instead add and blend colors as I choose. Closeknit also only prints with Aqueous inks, which are water based inks. When printed with they blend well with the fabric, so the ink is not raised on the fabric but is smooth to touch. The ink is also less dangerous to the environment. The design becomes one with the fabric and feels better on the skin.

The Met

2008-04-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC numerous times. Everytime I am there, I discover something new. Either I get lost in a wing and discover a new era, or the paintings are in rotation and new ones are brought out of storage. It houses one of the most beautiful and extensive collections of art. This time I saw the Gustave Courbet exhibition, definitely worth seeing.

http://www.metmuseum.org/

Jodha Akbar

2008-04-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

Jodha Akbar is a Bollywood film about the marriage of Akbar the Great ( one of India's greatest rulers )
and his Rajput princess wife Jodha set in the 16th Century. When I saw this movie was playing in NYC, I was like oh its another love story from Bollywood.

Was I blown away by the story, the costumes, the sets, the jewelry, the music, etc. The movie was a complete inspiration. Hirthik Roshan was an amazing Akbar and Aishwariya Rai was as gorgeous as always.

The movie with all its visuals still had a very powerful message and story line. How a king could bring about unity and reform among so many different kinds of people and improve relations between Hindus and Muslims as well as other religions. How a ruler had secular views and was able to embrace his people regardless of religion and improve the welfare of his people.

At the same time Akbar ruled India, Queen Elizabeth brought about the Golden Age in England.

The film is directed by Ashutosh Gowariker the same director as Laagan another great period piece.

http://www.jodhaaakbar.com/

Silkscreening

2008-04-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

All of Closeknit's shirts are hand silkscreened. The inks are all custom mixed and then the design is printed by hand and not by machine. I try to experiment with colors and pigments, sometimes mixing various shimmers and other types of inks to give the design a certain sheen. No two t-shirts are the same. Each shirt is individually silk-screened by hand, therefore setting each design apart, and the individual who wears them. Closeknit's products are not just a fashion line but are art pieces. The designs each have a concept and process behind them that it takes to actually execute the design.

All the shirts are printed on American Apparel products. Why American Apparel? American Apparel makes a better and higher quality tshirt. The cotton is finer, it takes pigment better, and the overall fit is great. Plus they are a sweatshop free operation and their products are made in the US.

New Lightweight Shirt

2008-04-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

A new shirt is up under "Sammy" on Closeknitclothing.com
This design is inspired by southeast Asia and is called the "Yali" shirt. The print is silkscreened with silver metallic ink.
The fabric of this shirt is a lighter weight than our other shirts. It is a thinner material and has a slimmer fit. It is printed on the "summer" shirt from American Apparel.

Tibetan Freedom

2008-04-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Tibet has always served as a great inspiration for my artwork. I have been aware of the political turmoil in Tibet for many years. It is sad to see a culture with so much great art, culture, and heritage being repressed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama can't even return to his homeland and lives in Darmasala, India. As an artist it is important in my eyes to help in what way I can to preserve this great culture.

Last year I was asked to take part in a skateboard art show called Untitledshow.com. The skateboard I painted has a Tibetan Snow Lion from the 15th century as the main graphic. This skateboard also inspired a tshirt. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the tshirt goes to Students for a Free Tibet.
www.studentsforafreetibet.org

Seeking Closeknit Girl

2008-04-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

We are currently putting a women's collection together. I am seeking a female model who would also be an artist, dancer, actress, etc ( creative type ) who would be willing to model and in turn would receive exposure on the website. She would have to fit a top size S or M. If you know of anyone or would like to join Closeknit please get in touch. Thanks!

New Technique

2008-04-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

This year's model is Sammy Obeid, a comedian from the Bay Area. Check out Sammy's work at www.myspace.com/Sammykobeid.

This collection also features a new finish technique. The black shirt has the "guys" logo but instead of being silkscreened it is printed with black foil. The effect becomes tonal. black foil on a black background. Check it out at www.closeknitclothing.com under Sammy.

Welcome to Closeknit

2008-04-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Closeknit's new Blog. Here I will post all news Closeknit. Posts will include inspirations behind the designs, techniques, design events, and various other topics. A big thank you to the Wold Creative Group.

www.woldcreative.com

www.closeknitclothing.com