Luca Font's "Animals of New York"

A Q&A with the artist behind our first-ever t-shirt collab.

New York boasts more than its fair share of famous residents: Spike Lee. Sarah Jessica Parker. Timothée Chalamet (plus a bunch of guys who look like Timothée Chalamet).

But perhaps none are so iconic—or, well, ubiquitous—as the creatures featured in the artist Luca Font’s cheeky “Animals of New York” prints. And seeing as we’re based in the city ourselves, we did what any self-respecting menswear brand would do: put them on our bestselling tees for you to wear.

Three of the four limited-edition tees are still available: the rat, the owl, and the pigeon. (The squirrel, an obvious favorite, has already sold out.)

Recently, we caught up with Luca to discuss his creative process, his greatest source of inspiration, and his underwear-related preferences.

This blog is called “The Brief,” after all…

We’ve worked together to bring your animals of New York to life on our tees—when did the idea for the series first come to you? How did you narrow the animals down to these four?

It’s interesting because if I think of NYC, these are the first animals I think of. But if you take a closer look, the variety of the fauna is much much wider than that, especially if you focus on wild birds. I guess it has to do with the ones I meet the most!

More importantly…which one of them is your favorite and why?

Sorry, subway rats. I’ll pick the pigeon anytime, anywhere.

In general, how would you describe your style of art?

I usually say I do graphic art, which—as much of a generic definition as this may sound—turns out to be a pretty good one, as it clearly indicates where I place myself in the wider spectrum that goes from realism to abstraction.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration?

I’d probably say that inspiration mostly lies in the stuff you experience on an everyday basis.

Can you take us through your creative process? When you’re conceptualizing a new piece, where do you begin?

I always begin from something that has way too much, then start taking away whatever isn’t necessary. I think of it as a sculpture—it’s mostly a job of subtraction.

When did you first think to yourself: “I can do this for a living”?

I honestly never thought I could live as an artist! I’ve always considered myself more of a craftsman.

What’s the most effective way to break out of a creative funk?

I think it’s always about trying to have fun, which requires a certain amount of honesty towards yourself and what you do, because you can’t enjoy what you do if your only goal is pleasing everybody else.

You split time between Milan and New York. How does that influence your work?

It has a really positive effect. It breaks down the routine and keeps the energy flowing. I tend to get bored easily, so keeping things interesting and somehow unpredictable definitely helps.

Artistically, is there something you want to do that you haven’t done yet? If so, what is it?

I would love to have a sculpture done sometime!

And because we’re all about underwear…F*ck, Marry, Kill: Boxers, Briefs, Boxer Briefs.

Unpopular opinion: boxer briefs rule!