Jessica Herman

Images of fine-art prints slapped on cotton crew necks do not even attempt to downplay the disconnect between the art and the garment. However, collaborating with Japanese fashion designer Hirofumi Kiyonaga on a limited edition of SOPHNET clothing, Chicago artist Dzine minds the gap.

Sitting on a paint-splattered chair in his apartment, wearing a SOPHNET sweatshirt, Dzine points to the image of "spooge" spilling down his back; the same detail from a Dzine painting oozes neatly near the hemlines of SOPHNET undershirts, shorts and on the back pockets of sweatpants. He digs through boxes full of noisy colors and musical patterns and tosses aside items such as a green spotted canvas purse, a short skirt with splashes of color in floral bunches, until he finds a mostly red and blue beach towel of his painting "Gangster Boogie." Like his paintings, the garments reflect Dzine's signature style: delicate drips and dot patterns.

Having rejected high-profile gigs such as an opportunity to design clothing for the NBA, Dzine explains why he accepted Kiyonaga's offer to work on the third artist/fashion designer collaboration. "I'm part of pop culture, but I've gone against the grain," Dzine says as he proudly mentions the other artists who designed with Kiyonaga before him--Massive Attack's 3-D and Tatsuo Miyajima. "I wanted to do something smart where the work comes first."

The 34-year-old Brighton Park native caught up with Kiyonaga when the Bossa Tres Jazz exhibition traveled to Japan. Dzine had produced paintings relating to each track on a Yellow Label Record compilation. Kiyonaga became an instant fan of Dzine's work and bought "the [entire] fucking show."

Adhering to Kiyonaga's policy of limiting sales to venues in Japan, SOPHNET's only sold at the designer's three flagship stores and offshoot retail spots. Half of the items sold in the first two weeks, and the forty items that did not sell were "burned to a crisp," in order to maintain the line's limited-edition status. But don't despair; you can at least look at the not-for-sale wares at hejfina, 1529 North Milwaukee.

(2004-12-21)

Also by Jessica Herman

No sweatshop
The sweatshop-free phenomenon is spreading like pollen across the city
(2004-12-07)

Designs for living
Surrounded by thousands of books and countless magazines, Gillian Carrera peers through her black fashion-forward spectacles to discuss a timeless, if elusive, topic: form and function
(2004-12-07)

India chic
Normally just a handful of fashion photographer Farrokh Chothia's black-and-white portraits flavor the dining experience at Vermillion...
(2004-11-30)

The craft of giving
Organized by a handful of entrepreneurial leaders, armies of artisans will occupy the city during the holiday season
(2004-11-22)

Plush and stuff
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Fur or Faux?
(2004-11-17)

Body food
(2004-11-10)

Poster Boys
(2004-11-09)

Political circus
(2004-10-27)

Brand jam
(2004-10-27)

Monkey business
(2004-10-20)

Romance of the nerds
(2004-10-20)

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