For those that have never heard of
MMVIII, here's the info:
Website:
http://www.mmviii.ca
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/MMVIII.ca
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MMVIIIcanada
Tumblr:
http://shunkinoshita.tumblr.com
Shun Kinoshita got his start on selling t-shirts at the young age of 15, when he spray painted stencils onto t-shirts. He began a t-shirt brand called “Gold and a Pager” when he was 16, selling shirts at his high school and at Victoria’s original, Complex. The name came from the song “Fuck Tha Police” by N.W.A.. Gold and a Pager was a young project, however this brand was able to accomplish much more than what an ordinary 16 year-old could do. With woven labels to six colour prints, t-shirts, sweaters, stickers, cards and many charities raising more than $10,000 in his high school years, Gold and a Pager set the stage for what became GOLD MMVIII.
In 2008, as an 18 year-old, Shun founded GOLD MMVIII, which has been a project that is more than just a t-shirt brand, but a brand of himself. It had grown into something much bigger than anyone expected it to be, however it had to be shut down in July 2011 because of a trademark infringement.
On August 8th, 2011, Shun launched “MMVIII”, inspired by Japanese culture and Shun’s personal experiences living in Victoria/Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Taking his family roots into the brand, the logo above is called “Mokkou” which is Shun’s Japanese family crest.
Still involved in charity work, he has raised $1,000 to help out the earthquake/tsunami victims in Japan, and also had another “Give Big” Charity event in June 2011, which raised more than $2,000 for the same cause.
He has worked with Victoria/Vancouver’s Complex, Pac Div, Mike G (OFWGKTA), Brandun Deshay, Casey Veggies, Fiend, Rockie Fresh, June, J.Good, Corner Boy P, JayKin, Raz Fresco, The 6th Letter, The Jealous Guys, and more —he has several more collaborations coming up.
