Sabati launch.
“I learnt how to make screens this year, using my own drawing
and photographs for the designs,” says Shane, a new skill taught
to him by well-known local screen printer Rennie Peyroux.
It is the small design details that make SABATI. The shirts have
no tags, the inside collar hand-printed with shirt size and text,
Tangata, Meitaki Atupaka, an acknowledgement to Shane’s
Aitutaki heritage. There is a contrast of colour on the trim and
the collar, inside out fabric to add texture, a reverse hem and
pocket detailing. And screen printed details, of a church, a
$1 Tangaroa, vertical and horizontal lines and text. SABATI’S
Eskimo range features pastels in yellow, lime and soft raspberry,
screen printed with 'ei maire and 'ei pupu designs.
“SABATI has an attention to detail that’s often only noticed
when you put them on,” Shane says.
You can see it on the barefoot models at the launch. Five guys,
three rounds, and one woman rocking it in the finale. When
worn you see how it all comes together, the way the shirts fit
when worn, their style and function – that it’s all about looking
and feeling good.
“It's been an amazing journey to get myself here. If you really
have the passion and the love for something, just do it. It’s a lot
of work, a lot of investment, and working through those tough
patches,” Shane says on the night. “Tonight it’s a genuinely
really happy
feeling. And I
hope that my
shirts make
you feel this.”
Ideas for
new designs
are already being pulled together. There will be more whites:
a relaxed white shirt in soft embroidered linen with an extra
length and a fish tail, heavier shirts in thicker cotton and white
linen T-shirts.
“The clothing will adapt to the lifestyle here - the sophistication
and the growth and a presentation of how men should be when
conducting themselves. SABATI is to give men a cape of some
sort - a super hero cape.”
The text on the front of one of his shirts says it all –
Te tangata kare, e anoanoa I te re kua ruti takere
He who does not hope to win has already lost –
Jose Joaquin Olmedo.
Find SABATI at The Print Room, Beachcomber, and follow
on Facebook for the latest on SABATI.
Escape Magazine • 45