Tiga frame in black with prescriptive lens
Tiga frame in black with prescriptive lens

DALLAS, Jan 24, 2009 / FW/ — Known for its fusion of fashion, music and art, Australian brand Ksubi is collaborating with Canadian DJ/producer TIGA to create a new line of eyewear.

Widely known for his remixes, Tiga began his music career at 15 by spinning in his home city, Montreal’s night clubs, bringing the acid house sound to Canada in the 1990s. He was also instrumental in the creation of the world renown after hours club SONA.

Successful in his own right, it was not until 2001 that he caught the attention of the music world when he made a version of Cory Hart’s 1980s hit, ‘Sunglasses at Night’ with Jori Hulkkonen. The single made it #25 in the United Kingdom and was released under the artists Tiga & Zyntherius (UK #25).

So, maybe, just maybe, this expansion to eyewear is a tribute to that hit single. Dan Single from Ksubi interviewed Tiga, so, let’s find out.

TigaSUNGLASSES AT NIGHT

Dan Single: Yo TIGA tell us about your frames…

TIGA: I hate sunglasses, they get between me and the sun…. but if I wore them they would be like the ones Ihand-designed for ksubi….the arms are specially engineered to support any ear size, the “glasses” part aren’teven glass, but a hyper-modern plastic lens that rarely falls out and when it does can be popped back into placethey are black and absorb heat leaving your nose and face extra cool, they can be folded up for ease of portability and they ALMOST can be worn upside down.

DS: Keep going this is perfect…why did you choose to colab with us?

T: I chose to work with ksubi because of you, Dan & George. Actually, it was when George refused to eat chicken wings in NYC as he told me chickens can scream and when he said chickens can live for weeks with no heads…. THAT was when, in my head, I said “Tiga, THIS is the mother**ker who deserves to make those sunglasses you always wanted to make”.

Also, when your assistant, SERIOUSLY emailed me back saying frames made of chicken-bones “might not be possible” hahahahahhahaaha. When you told me the first record your friend Maurice bought was pleasure from the bass…. THAT was when I said….I will do my shades with you— honestly.

DS: What have you been working on lately?

T: I have been working on my new album, which is almost done. It will be out next year.

DS: Does it have a name?

T: My album does not have a name yet…..I would love some help?

DS: Ok…I have a list of 300 of the worst names ever assembled

T: Send.

DS: NO! If that list fell into the wrong hands I would retire

T: So…you want me to get more serious?

How about ksubi made jeans that made me feel like a man. ksubi made jeans that made me remember what it was like to wear clothes. I only work with Australians. I only work with people who sometimes go to work without a shirt on.

Dan? You still there?

DS: Yes I am amazed, just soaking it in. I thought I was quick; you are like a literary machine gun. BAM BAM BAM.

What exactly is ‘sunglasses at night’ and how did it come about?

T: Sunglasses at night is the reason you are even talking to me right now….. it’s a cover version of an old 80’s pop track that I made with a Finnish friend of mine in 2001….. my first record and it propelled me to global semi-stardom. Since then I can do anything I want!

Without ‘Sunglasses At Night’ = Me DJing drum ‘n bass at local clothing stores for jeans.

With ‘Sunglasses at Night’ = ME DJing on the moon for Chanel VS Halliburton party getting paid in real
2:15 PM

DS: You can spell dope ( SIC…now)

T: Our frames are DOPE.

Here is what i think the advantage of my frames are:

Cos I never wore a pair of sunglasses in my life…. my design is essentially random… it’s like they were designed by a lunatic

D: Never?

T: OK a few times

Oh sh*t!!!!

When I was in Hong Kong with my parents in ‘89 I had a pair of ARMANIS hahahahahahahahahahaha

Hhhahahahhahahahahahahahahahaha.

They were like almost John Lennon.

hahahahahahhHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAH

…and my mom bought the same pair

BAMMMMMMMM

It dont get more badass than buying Armani’s in the Kong in ‘89 with your mom.

You would look good in Armani Dan.

DS: Oakley Frogskins?

T: I did have razorblades in the old days but that can stay between us. I always wore a baseball cap, so I guess I made my own shade.

DS: So that’s heaps. Do you wanna get some rest?

T:Yeah

DS: Sleep in your own bed for once?

T: I gotta do some bullsh*t interview for Russia…yes, in my own BED

DS: How many nights a year would you say you are outta town? guestimate?

T: I think…. one out of three.

DS: When are we gonna see each other?

T: We are seeing each other VERY soon. I promise.

The ksubi for TIGA frames come in four different acetate colours with both sun and optical lenses, and are available worldwide in March 2009.

Gorrow with Tiga Frame
Gorrow with Tiga Frame

ksubi Eyewear designer George Gorrow says

 

“The design was inspired by the scientist look of the nineteen fifties, and new wave modernism— if there is such a thing.

Tiga’s original brief was for the frames to be made from chicken bones, but with the finish of a silver Ferrari.

Whilst I understood where he was coming from aesthetically, I’m a vegetarian and couldn’t put design in front of my beliefs.

In the end we settled for hand-made acetate frames, constructed in Japan.”

Ksubi has a history of designing exclusive frames for musicians like Kylie Minogue in her clip “In your
Arms”…

And more recently, Beyonce Knowles in her forthcoming clip for “Diva”…

Also coming soon from ksubi is an eyewear collaboration with Pastelle, Kanye West’s new label due for release February 2009.

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