As a streetwear enthusiast with a deep-rooted appreciation for art and the city that never sleeps, I can’t help but be captivated by the enigmatic duo behind THOMAS/ORITO. Born from the creative minds of Kohei Orito and Jordan Nichollas, this brand is an ode to New York City, drawing inspiration from the gritty beauty that lies in its forgotten corners.
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The Five Ws
Who is wearing THOMAS/ORITO?
Kohei Orito: Friends, for sure.
What is THOMAS/ORITO’s main message?
Jordan Nicholls describes THOMAS/ORITO as a constantly evolving collaboration between Kohei Orito and himself, drawing inspiration from the vibrant urban landscape of New York City. Drawing on artists such as Stanley Whitney, David Smith, and Wade Guyton, they experiment with color, spatial relationships, and texture to generate distinctive graphics, emblems, and phrases.
KO: Beauty in imperfection.
When was THOMAS/ORITO launched?
It’s challenging to specify an exact release date, as our initial intention for the project was to create items for our friends. However, I wouldn’t call it an official venture until Nepenthes reached out to us in March 2022 to initiate work on a pop-up event.
Where are people wearing THOMAS/ORITO?
JN: New York, mostly, and some friends in Japan are as well.
Why was THOMAS/ORITO created?
CO: Kohei and I might explore possibilities that go beyond just images and text, instead crafting something significant using form, hue, and area.
KO: To express ourselves.
Our stance is that not all graphics need to be instantly familiar or relatable. This freedom to produce designs beyond the conventional understanding allows us to create merchandise that invites diverse interpretations among those who use them, fostering a unique and individual connection with our products.
About the Brand
How have your backgrounds influenced THOMAS/ORITO’s direction?
Born and raised in New York, you often see beauty in places where others might find it unattractive: perhaps a wall painted in unusual shades of green or white, or an old bulletin board layered with numerous torn and replaced flyers. To you, there’s something beautiful in each of these scenes.
I find that because of my background, our work feels more like a creative outlet than just a brand to me. However, I recognize the importance of branding our creations. Originally from Japan, I’ve spent the past ten years in New York, and it is this unique vantage point and the people I’ve met along the way that inspire my ideas.
As an appreciator of art myself, I’m curious about how you translate the artistic inspiration that forms the core of your identity into actual, touchable items. Can you share a bit about this process?
Art, in our view, is the underlying thought process guiding our actions. We’ve spent considerable time examining David Smith’s spray-painted artworks and observing how he crafted intricate shapes from factory machine parts during World War II while working in a factory. He breathed new life into ordinary objects and materials, redefining their context. This approach inspires us because it suggests that not every graphic design needs to be immediately recognizable or relatable. Instead, we can produce items that offer room for interpretation by the people who use them.
Every item is adorned through hand-spraying. What led to this unique approach, and what makes it distinctive?
Artist: Stanley Whitney
Outside of art, what style codes or eras inspires your creativity?
JN: The unknown future.
KO: Old New York.
Does the brand THOMAS/ORITO exude an “in-crowd” feel? Their products aren’t available for online purchase, and locating them in person seems to require a certain level of awareness and familiarity. How do you maintain a word-of-mouth buzz in the digital era, and what advantages have come from portraying the brand as elusive?
A: What we’re doing isn’t primarily for fame or fortune. Instead, we’re simply two introverted folks who find joy in our work. Recognition and money aren’t our main goals. Our aim is merely to create something, and if others appreciate it, that’s fantastic.
With an increasing word-of-mouth fanbase, THOMAS/ORITO has tackled bigger projects like a pop-up of custom tees at Nepenthes called “The Pulse of New York.” How do you maintain the brand’s core values as it continues to grow?
Continuing with our preferred activities while relying on our instincts, we tend to exclude things that seem visually unappealing or inappropriate in terms of color or design.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since launching?
JN: It’s not worth doing if it isn’t fun.
KO: Timing is everything.
What’s been the biggest challenge in building THOMAS/ORITO?
JN: Time
What does the future hold for THOMAS/ORITO?
JN: We have another project coming up soon with someone in NYC. Should be fun.
KO: And more stuff coming to 113 Madison St. You’ll have to stop by and see for yourself.
Why should people care about THOMAS/ORITO?
JN: Not too sure if they should or shouldn’t, it is what it is.
KO: Agreed
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2024-11-01 17:56