At the Kumaripati Street Festival in Jawalakhel held last month, it was not the superstar bands or popular celebrities that got all the attention – a humble t-shirt stall operated by homegrown Rock A Billy Airbrush had a swarming, unrelenting crowd struggling to place orders for designs that caught their eye.
“It was one of the most intense days ever, and the orders just kept on coming, but I’m glad they did,” said Rock a Billy Airbrush designer Monish Maharjan. More than 140 people got their own customised shirts that day, with designs ranging from popular cartoon characters to bright, loud typography.
Monish started painting these unique airbrush t-shirts 14 years ago when he was living in the US. Upon returning to Nepal three years ago, he joined an office job which he was not satisfied with, prompting him to start Rock A Billy Airbrush to continue doing what he loved.
“I hated having to wear a tie and type things into a computer. Art is my passion because it’s the only thing I love doing. If people appreciate it and I can make a little money to survive, I’m a happy man,” said Monish.
The designs that require the most work, according to Monish, are portraits, which can take several hours to finish painting. “When it comes to portraits, it takes me a long time because you have to be very careful. Once you spray, it becomes permanent so you need to be precise with the details,” Monish explained.
HARIZ BAHARUDIN
Rock A Billy Airbrush is the only airbrush t-shirt printing service in Nepal. A t-shirt with a name in stylised typography costs Rs 700, while one with a design of a well-known character costs Rs 1000. They also do custom orders, where customers can choose anything they like to be printed in Monish’s distinctive air brush style.
Despite being a young company, Rock A Billy Airbrush has carved quite a name for itself. Monish and his team opened up stalls at numerous festivals, including the Nepal Inked Tattoo Convention last year at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibiton Hall.
In addition to printing t-shirts, Monish designs and paints other graphics. Some of his works are displayed in restaurants around Jhamsikhel and Patan, and he also designed the album cover of the recent Kutumba album Karmath.
The airbrush artist feels that a lot of his success is due to the booming arts scene in Nepal, for which he is very thankful. “It is an awesome time for art in Nepal, just look atUrban Yeti all the talented street art everywhere. Even in this t-shirt printing business, we are not just printing yaks or mountains anymore. You just have to be innovative and creative,” he said.
When asked about his hopes for the future, Monish offers a simple answer: “You have to do what you love. As long as I get to continue painting, no matter what, I’ll be happy”.
Rock A Billy Airbrush
9841280522, 015547499
Urban Yeti
Heavily influenced by pop culture, the Pokhara-based Urban Yeti has managed to set itself apart from other t-shirt shops thanks to its smart, quirky designs. The brand is gaining popularity quickly among both locals and tourists because of its atypical graphics. Designs by Urban Yeti are not just simply rehashed, clichéd icons of Nepal – designer Jeewan Bhattarai composes them with a focus on making people actually want to wear them. The result is a brand that is so unmistakably offbeat that it is sure to stand out among other Pokhara t-shirt shops.
Lakeside, Pokhara
www.urbanyetitees.com
EkSayeAth/108
True to its simple name, EkSayeAth’s designs have a minimalist approach – not that it makes their graphics any less eye-catching. These thoughtfully designed t-shirts take inspiration from Nepali roots and culture, carrying with them the vitality of this patriotic spirit throughout the collection. Based in Kathmandu, EkSayeAth operates as a closely-knit group of designers and clothing enthusiasts who are committed to preserving culture while still delivering stylish apparel. In addition to catering to locals, the brand also has retail partners in Hong Kong and the USA.
Bhatbhateni, Kathmandu
www.eksayeath.com
JuJu Wears
JuJu Wears is no stranger to fashion enthusiasts in Nepal. The clothing chain, run by Shraman Apparels which exports garments to the USA for big-name stores like GAP and Walmart, already has two flagship stores and many more distributors across the city. The brand aims to encourage the budding arts scene in Nepal by using designs from the often-underappreciated local artists. JuJu Wears also aims to promote the rich culture and traditions of Nepal through designers and incorporate it in their products.
Jhamsikhel, Kathmandu
www.jujuwearsnepal.com