Really unusual SIVA archive shirt, dating to around 2010. SIVA was founded in 2006 by Teruhiko Tsuji, and surviving archive listings confirm a significant body of SIVA pieces from 2010, with the label known for custom-developed fabrics and unusual surface treatments.
The entire grey cotton body is covered in hundreds of individually executed stitches, arranged in a remarkably precise repeating grid. Each tiny stitch has a slightly different shape and tension, creating an almost pixel-like texture across the fabric while leaving the base cloth visible underneath.
The detailing continues across the collar, cuffs, sleeves, pocket and back, making the surface treatment feel completely integrated into the garment rather than simply printed or embroidered as a motif. The contrast between the utilitarian work-shirt construction — pointed collar, button front, patch pocket and articulated cuffs — and the obsessive hand-finished-looking surface is particularly good.
Finished with dark corozo-style buttons, extended cuffs and a slightly structured, straight silhouette.
SIVA
Circa 2010 / archive
Size M
Measurements: 48 x 55 cm
One of those SIVA pieces where the labour and treatment of the fabric is the entire point — extremely difficult to appreciate properly without seeing the individual stitches up close.
