Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Frédéric Forest. I'm from Annecy. I live and work in Paris as a designer at the studio Forest&Giaconia, and also as an artist.
Could you introduce us to this piece? Where does it come from? How old is it?
This is a white T-shirt with Milton Glaser's I LOVE NY graphics. I bought it in Chinatown last time I was in New York City in 2013.
Did it belong to someone else before you? Did you buy it for yourself? Why did you buy it? How did you find it?
No, nobody has ever worn it but myself. It has become a kind of ritual for me: everytime I come to New York, I get a I LOVE NY T-shirt! It has to be from a souvenir shop, somewhere very commonplace. It's like Proust's "madeleine" to me (translator's note : a childhood memory), a very common piece I have a very personal relationship to.
Do you remember the first time you wore it?
Most probably the week I came back from New York City.
What are your memories of this piece?
They are directly related to New York City. I went there for the first time in 1998 for a week, then I came back for five months in 2001. I was writing my thesis and selling my drawings in the street, in Soho or on Fifth avenue.
Are there any signs of wear and tear?
Practically none on the fabric. For some strange reason, only the graphics have broken down.
Have you already repaired this piece?
Never.
When do you usually wear it? Do you remember when you last wore it?
I can wear it anytime but it's not necessarily a piece I will show. I will rather wear it under a jumper, just like that. It must have been last spring last time I wore it. I sometimes wear it quite often,but at other times I spend long periods of time without wearing it. It doesn't matter. It's like a friend.
