RZST Clothing
Resisting the Norm
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By: Angelica TeemsPhotos: Nicholas Routzen+ Jan 15, 2007 at 1:12am |
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There are certain four-letter words that have strongly negative connotations and are reserved for moments of desperation during rush hour traffic or heated discussions of politics and such. From behind the steering wheels of our sedans and SUV’s we shout these expletives at opposing drivers, or slam down wine glasses while barking at antagonistic dinner guests. There is an air of hostility surrounding these four-letter words that can turn the kindest human into the most vicious monster. Luckily, Bobby Holland and his partner, Shadow, have given us RZST, a four-letter word that will evoke a spirit of awareness instead of intolerance. Even better, it comes in the form of cool tees and hoodies featuring original art by Bobby Holland himself.
Birthed from a graffiti campaign in 2002, when Holland began transferring his original art to clothing, RZST Clothing officially launched in Spring of 2004. The momentum since then has accelerated at a nonstop pace. “It’s been growing quite rapidly,” claims Holland, who does all the design, graphics, art, photography and cut & sew for the streetwear line (business partner, Shadow, mans the company’s production and sales). The rapid growth could be due in large part to the graphics themselves. “I try to inspire awareness through my designs,” says Bobby, "inspire people to look around and not focus on themselves as much. Inspire people to pay attention, look at the Big Picture of life.”
According to Holland, his designs are mostly influenced by nature, as well as society and social problems. When asked about problems he feels our society faces, Bobby doesn’t hesitate to answer, “Over-consumption. America has a big problem with over-consumption versus other countries. Americans are wasteful.” Regarding nature he adds, “The most beautiful thing we can find in this world is nature. It’s become almost socially acceptable to abuse the environment.” This hypothesis is evidenced in RZST’s best seller, which features a stencil of a cityscape with roots growing underneath it, combining the idea of nature with an urban, city feel. “It represents the fact that cities and man are just taking over and shutting nature out,” explains Holland. Another popular painting that is featured on a hoodie is of an angel with a bandana covering her eyes, holding an AK 47 in her hands, because, as Bobby puts it, “Sometimes even the good side has to take arms and fight for what they believe.” He adds, “Lots of clothing companies are art-based but they’re not really saying anything.”
Aside from the chill graphics, RZST tees and hoodies boast a durable comfort that is lacking in many
manufactured knits. “Because it’s clothing, the most important thing is the fit and feel. A good garment is the main thing,” says Holland. “I have friends who are like, ‘That’s a bad-ass shirt!’ and then they put it on and they can’t believe how good it feels.” Though he’s had no formal training to speak of, he understands the importance of a well-constructed garment. With a seamstress for a mother, Bobby began sewing his own shorts and hoodies when he was just 10 years old. Around the same time, his mother began buying fabric paint so young Bobby could express the artist within, probably under the direction of his grandmother who was a painter. Fitting that a young man with such creative influences as a tailoress and a painter, would become the frontman of a clothing line.
More than a clothing line, RZST is a movement; and one that will no doubt continue to flourish. “People are really starting to wake up regarding the problems in society, so it will definitely grow,” Holland believes. The clothier/painter declares that he is constantly creating. “Whenever I have an idea for a graphic or painting I jot it down,” he says, adding that he still does a lot of paintings for galleries. All these paintings can only mean one thing – more graphics for fans of RZST Clothing to look forward to.
For further details about the RZST movement, visit Bobby and Shadow at www.rezistance.com.
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