Last August 4, Maison Martin Margiela launched the Fall-Winter 2009-2010 issue of its famed AIDS t-shirt. And I just happen to be there.
I covered the event for a friend who asked me to take photos, talk to people and buy the shirt. This season’s edition, its 21st, was silver glitter of the text “THERE IS MORE ACTION TO BE DONE TO FIGHT AIDS THAN TO WEAR THIS T SHIRT BUT IT’S A GOOD START” on a cream-colored shirt.
Except for one or two snazzy individuals I have seen on print ads in MTR stations, it was generally the shirt and its snazzier history that caught my eye and interest. Aside from being hip, the AIDS T has been what you call the Belgian designer’s effort at charity. Every fashion season, his house would come up with a new color for the print on a new shirt color. He has been doing this for the past ten years.
Apparently, the launch also exhibited the archives of the famed AIDS T. And this time, here in HK, they tied up with one organization working on the issue, AIDS Concern (which somehow added value to the smile I carried the whole time I was there.)
Sadly, most people I got to talk to had no idea what the shirt was all about. Generic answers were all I got although at least one person was honest enough to admit not having the slightest idea.
Whatever.
The Margiela AIDS T, whatever the cost, deserves a moneyed person’s gold coins.
And my saved dimes.
18/08/2009 at 00:58 Permalink
win! i lurves eeet.
p.s.
i know the history of the tee and all