I first learned about The Imaginary Zebra when we were going to add them into our fashion show in 2008. They ended up making the show with not only the great designs but the multiple talents that they pulled into it all, showing that it wasnt just fashion, it was life too. I had seen the zebra shirts around but never knew the story behind it. now luckily, i got some insight from the creator, Benson Chou, Davis 4th year, so he could share the story behind those cool zebra shirts that so many students sport on campus.
name?
Benson Chou
brand name?
The Imaginary Zebra
do you have a website?
how and why did you start TIZ?
My family has always been quite an artistic influence, which got me into making random kinds of art projects, but the emergence of the clothing line all started in my high school years when one thing led to another. First, it was my first encounter with graffiti. The play of interaction with type faces and colors were fascinating. I made my first custom trucker hat and earned myself 15 bucks during sophomore year. Never felt this great knowing something I made actually earned a few lunch meals.
Then, I started "Urban Art Club", a school club that taught students how to graffiti and merge graffiti with modern art styles. The club then made banners for school plays, posters for clubs, and shirts for different club members. It was my first step into the t-shirt manufacture scene. In the mean time, I formed a graffiti crew called "TIZ", which I only named it that way because I thought the letters look cool when I put them together, it was not an abbreviation of anything. Next thing I know, I graduated. High school was fun and the club/crew slowly died down, college was suppose to be all types of serious (or so I believed). I was wrong, college was better than ever- more freedom, more people, more ideas. That was when I realized that the club and the design shouldn't have stopped just because of my transition to college. Therefore, I brought back TIZ in more professional manner - a clothing line, in 2006, my freshmen year in college.
did you encounter any problems when starting?
Getting the name out there was difficult, the clothing line started off really slowly. Due to the small amount of demand, I couldn't afford any printer to print the shirts, so I had to hand print the first batch of tees with a few friends. It was tedious.
do you consider TIZ a lifestyle brand? if so, how?
Sure, t-shirts are considered a lifestyle fashion medium, yea?
what do you suggest to pair with a TIZ tee?
Either something simple to bring out the Tee, or layers to make the tee complementing of the whole outfit. I try making the TIZ shirts quite resilient.
what was your inspiration?
My family's always been artsy oriented. They got me into graphic designs. Then I started having more contacts with street brands and clothing. Some of my major inspirations are Obey, Ecko, Nike, Stussy, Johnny Cupcakes, A Bathing Ape, and Uniqlo.
do you have any advice for someone starting a business?
People tell you to follow what you're passionate about, but they'd never tell you how bad it'd suck knowing that the only thing you've focused on have failed you. But hey, it'll be fun while it lasted. Be optimistic, it will keep you going no matter what happens.
does owning a business at the same time as being a college student make things harder?
It's almost as hard as tying your shoelace with only one hand. Finding a sense of balance is essential. I tend to lean towards TIZ from time to time, but good thing I have a good set of tools to pull me back - my parents.
what is your favorite:
food?Junks.
music?Depends on the situation. Mainly R & B.
magazines?Wired. Idn. Now I usually marinate myself in RSS feeds of many different sites. brand of jeans?Levi's
brand of shoes?Nike, Visvim, Vans.
what clothes do you wear on the average day?
T-shirts.
is there anything you want to add?
Vitamin D does your body good.
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