NY Collective - Limited Edition - Our concept, ‘Limited Edition’, explored the nature of collecting, limited editions, blind assortments, and the boundaries they challenge in our desire.
We began with a simple white t-shirt, the most iconic of its species, and we imprinted it with an original design in gold ink. We then coated the ink in 24k gold leaf (gold being the ultimate symbol of idols and wealth for aeons).
We then turned the t-shirt inside-out and printed a second design on the inside declaring the serial number of that particular garment, the designer, and the patron. The shirt was then sewn shut at the collar, sleeves, and waist, and a pink ribbon with the Youth of Tomorrow logo embroidered in gold is sewn back-to-front on the waist, creating a ‘seal’.
The garment has now lost any usefulness (as in its original intent of being worn) and has become simply an object to be admired.
Or has it? The final state rests in the owner. The stitching can be ripped open, making the item wearable, but not before the owner would have to cut through the pink ribbon at the bottom (parallel to a ribbon-cutting ceremony in opening a bridge or building). Once this is done, however, it cannot be undone and that original form of the piece is lost.
The owner then has two choices: does one wear the shirt inside out, with the limited-edition declaration displayed, or do they turn the shirt right-side out, discovering what limited design was contained? In addition, how often do they dare wear it, as the 24k gold on the design is fragile and will wear and wash away, symbolic of the value lost.