Available at SJ #Japantown and LA #LittleTokyo

Girafa Artist Series Tee (Black… M-2XL) – $32

Available at SJ #Japantown and LA #LittleTokyo

Hearts N’ Bones Tee (Black… S-2XL) – $32

From 12pm-2pm there will be an in-store signing with Girafa, please come early as he will be leaving promptly at 2pm.

Shirts will be available at SJ #Japantown and LA #LittleTokyo

 For info on our past projects with Girafa go here.

Photos: Chris Lovos

Thank you to Benjie and Ivan at The Pinata House.

Photos: Jose Ontiveros

Visit Benjie Here.

View video from the show here. Read our interview with Suedehead.

ARISTOCRATS: Did your art or designs come first, or do you view them as one in the same just different mediums?

Benjie: The line between art and design gets a little blurred for me sometimes. I can differentiate between the two, and I don’t go into them the same way (graphic design I do a ton of research 1st and make myself little briefs, art ill just jump right in), but they will always end up with my “flavor” in them. There are times where ill finsh up a graphic and think “this would look amazing 10ft wide”, but there’s also sketches ill tuck away for an art piece that will end up in t shirt graphics. Long story short, I’d love for it to be “they’re different” but the reality is they bleed into each other all the time.

ARISTOCRATS: I know a fair amount of graphic artists who also work in other mediums. Do you think with the amount of people doing graphics now that it’s made your job less respectable to the general publics eye?

Benjie: It happens in any trade or hobby. For DJing, it was the introduction of cdjs, then serato. for photography, it was the introduction to affordable digital slrs. Stuff will eventually become over saturated, but the cream always rises to the top. As far as respectable, I understand the stigma that comes with putting yourself out there as a graphic designer, let alone one specializing in printables/t shirts. As I get older, i get some weird looks, as most people think its reserved for 20 somethings trying to start a clothing brand. However, as time goes by, the same people will mention they saw someone with a shirt i designed on in a different country, or they met someone that is a big fan of my work, so without sounding too snooty, its obviously a little more credible than they originally thought. It might take a bit, but a good amount of the general public comes around.

ARISTOCRATS: I agree, it also helps that you work with notable brands! How often do you do something that you decide you don’t like but it’s still put out anyways? In terms of your professional work not personal art.

Benjie: All the time, but thats completely normal! The biggest difference in my personal art and profession is, in a profession i’m part of a team. It’s not about me, its about the product. In your larger average clothing company you have a creative director, an art director, a marketing supervisor, a sales team, its not just about the graphic designer and the end consumer. Dont get me wrong, I still give everything 100% of my attention, and am satisfied with everything that comes out, but I never take tweaks, cuts, and criticism personal along the path of making a product. One of my biggest things, especially with new designers, is to drop the ego, youre part of a team now. You cant form like voltron if the yellow lion is bitter that the blue lion doesnt understand some obscure reference in a graphic, right?

ARISTOCRATS: That’s interesting that you brought that up about new designers. That is great advice that spans all occupations I feel. That is assuming they are a part of a team/brand already though. Do you have any advice for graphic artists who are still trying to join a team or get their name out there without being an asshole?

Benjie: Stay focused, take everything as feedback (good and bad), never let your ego block your view of the path. As fas as hitting up people, theres no need to let them know youre the greatest thing since sliced bread from the get go, a simple introduction and a link to some work will get you much farther than you think. After that its all building. Building relationships, portfolio, and experience.

ARISTOCRATS: Moving forward, how would you like to progress in your professional life? Obviously, Benny Gold is one of the few to really put a unique stamp on his work. Would you always prefer to be behind the scenes or do you want to do your own thing one day? I don’t mean your own brand either, just whatever.

Benjie: Being “behind the scenes” is something that definitely comes with graphic design. A common joke with design friends (not just in clothing, across the board) is to call ourselves the known unknowns, or the people behind the curtain. Theres not many graphic designers people can name off the top of their heads, but will rattle off a list of street artists they follow.

Through my graphics career I became a huge fan of Groovisions (japan) and Buro Destruct (switzerland), and saw how as a design studio, they were making a bit of everything. Groovisions has had a pop single in japan, but also was one of the founding groups behind the super flat movement. Buro Destruct was putting out books and releasing custom fonts. Both had printed Ts and accessories available, but the concept was design personality, not so much just clothing. My goal is to have something more similar to that, than a by the books clothing brand.

Also, Benny is the man. shouts to that dude for sure.

ARISTOCRATS: As I understand it, you used to spin jungle music? The act of mixing alone has a lot to do with setting the mood and tone of things. In an abstract way does this carry over to your design work?

Benjie: Not even so much abstract, with both, you’re interacting with an audience. its a bit of a 2 parter, not only do you need to keep them entertained, you need to get your “style” or point across, as well. The biggest difference really is with a DJ set, you have an hour or more with people, and you can see them. With T shirts, you have about a 5 second glance and an audience thats harder to gauge.

ARISTOCRATS: What is it about fast food and it’s effects on society that interests you? Or is it more the idea of cheap/quick/unhealthy/easy ?

Benjie: well, the easy answer is how its brainwashed society, its OK to eat bad, blah blah blah…… thats the very easy answer. But… there’s the weird underlying memories there. Most people have memories of fast food. an old family dinner, a certain toy, a certain date,… its weird… in-between all the poison theres a bit of good nostalgia. Like yeah, the “food” was shit, but you remember the rest fondly. Sometimes the worst foods can bring out the best memories, you know?

ARISTOCRATS: Food and smell are definitely great triggers for past memories. Is that what ultimately inspires you? This type of emotional connection to things normally seen as “low brow”?

Benjie: That is pretty much exactly it!

Now Available at SJ #Japantown and LA #LittleTokyo

Phone Orders Welcome 408.885.0727

Text/BBM Orders Welcome 408.687.9881 … PIN#: 3222F09F … Click Here for Barcode

Lafayette x Staple Design Script Logo Tee (Black… M-2XL) – $36

Old York Tee (White… M-2XL) – $34

Lafayette Logo (Charcoal… M-2XL) – $34

Explorer Zip Hoodie (Gray… M-2XL) – $130

Explorer Varsity Jacket (Black… M-2XL) – $200

Cube Pattern Shell (Multi… M-2XL) – $300

The Infamous New Era 59Fifty Fitted (Black/Navy… 1/8-3/4) – $65

LF Logo New Era 59Fifty Fitted (Navy… 1/8-3/4) – $65

ow Available at SJ #Japantown and LA #LittleTokyo

Phone Orders Welcome 408.885.0727

Text/BBM Orders Welcome 408.687.9881 … PIN#: 3222F09F … Click Here for Barcode

Grim Reaper Raglan (Black/Burgundy… M-2XL) – $34

Dearly Departed Co. Label Tee (Black/Gray… M-2XL) – $30

Rated X Tee (Black… M-2XL) – $30

Made In Hell Tee (Black/Burgundy… M-2XL) – $30

Apocalypse Tee (White… M-2XL) – $30

Denim 5-Panel (One Size) – $34

Now Available at SJ #Japantown and LA #LittleTokyo

Phone Orders Welcome 408.885.0727

Text/BBM Orders Welcome 408.687.9881 … PIN#: 3222F09F … Click Here for Barcode

VSVSP Tee (Black… M-2XL) – $34

One Hundred Tee (Black… M-2XL) – $34

Defined Tee (Black.. M-2XL) – $34

Worldwide Tee (Black… M-2XL) – $34

For more info on the tour please visit WEKFEST.

Photos: Jose Ontiveros