55DSL hosted a special event in East London to mark the fifth anniversary of their running collaboration with more than one hundred artists representing every scale and style of work.

The exhibition scaled it down to five selected t-shirt collaborators (the iconic 80’s punk photographer Gavin Watson, Andrea Rosso Diesel, Alessandro “Zuek” Simonetti, Vasava and Arthur King) who together make up 50% of the 10.55 limited edition collection, or 5% of the total 100 artists.

Are you with us? Anyway, what you need to know is that the ten 10.55 t-shirt designs will be available to buy in Diesel stockists.

For anyone interested in the other shortlisted designs, the event projector was on hand so that you could sneak a look at the other 95 collaborators’ work and their t-shirt designs.

 

 

After the exhibition, those wanting to carry on the party were moved onto a loft studio space to toast the anniversary with ‘Crystal Head’ vodka and ‘Oranjeboom’ and also to dance to predominantly vinyl beats laid down by Bradley Zero from the Boiler Room, Nic Tasker from Young Turks and Charles T Drakeford from Principals.

We grabbed a few words with the Creative Director at 55DSL, Andrea Rosso, who creates beautifully complex paper art and is one of the project collaborators.

FLUX: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from when you develop your pieces?

ANDREA ROSSO: It depends, vintage markets are always a good references. I’m very obsessed by images from the web but nothing is more inspiring than streets

FLUX: Sum up your work in five words?

Andrea Rosso: Dynamic, thoughtful, passionate, different, inspiring.

FLUX: Name something you love and why.

Andrea Rosso: Nature, because is pure and green.

FLUX: Professionally, what is your goal?

Andrea Rosso: I love working with people especially when they grow fast so they can teach and I learn from them.

FLUX: What sort of surroundings/environment/influences help you to create your finest work?

Andrea Rosso: I have a good team here in 55DSL, it helps me to be stimulated on a visual aspect. Then of course street and vintage.

FLUX: What themes do you pursue?

Andrea Rosso: I get inspired by vintage markets and streets elements. If we talk more in details about collection inspirations I recall sport world, military and graphic design.

FLUX: Are there any other styles of art that you would be interested in dabbling with?

Andrea Rosso: Yes, many fields, from furniture to fabric and photography. I really like mechanical and technical art environmental.

FLUX: Describe a real life situation that has inspired you.

Andrea Rosso: Every time I travel, especially in natural environment, I really get inspired a lot.

A limited collection of 1055 specially printed t-shirts are on sale across Europe.

Words by Charly Suggett