San Francisco - August 14, 2009

Cover Letter

Stymie Apparel Tees

What a difference a lowly letter can make. (Case in point: the naughty text for Dan you sent to Dad instead.)

Local artists Julie Cloutier and Claire Nereim take design to the micro level, using the alphabet as inspiration for Stymie Apparel — their line of super-soft, screen-printed, vintage-washed and organic cotton tees.

The pair, who have collaborated on art installations for two years, explores the relationship of language to form in an effortlessly wearable way. The A/Z tee, for instance, makes an “A” out of a “Z” on the front, and vice versa on the back (ditto for the corresponding B/Y design). The Minuscule version, available in black and cream, features the entire alphabet in serifs only for a delicate but powerful graphic effect.

Each, incidentally, is a limited edition.

We give them an all-around A+.

Available online at stymie.bigcartel.com.