Back in 2015, news of what was deemed a "surprisingly handsome gorilla" surfaced in Japan, where zoo-goers became entranced with Shabani -- leading to the story's viral spread over the Internet.
As a means to commemorate this strange time, XLARGE, a Los Angeles-based streetwear brand, included screen printed images of the handsome gorilla on a selection of shirts. Although Shabani remains in the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya, Japan, his legend remains in tact -- at least in the eyes of the designers at XLARGE that is.
The collection includes black and white t-shirts that are made to the size of adults and children alike, allowing everyone to express their fandom of the handsome gorilla freely. The XLARGE brand name is supplied on the graphics along with Shabani's imagery, as well as the name of the primate.
Distinguished Primate T-Shirts
XLARGE Paid Tribute to Japan's Notoriously Handsome Gorilla
Trend Themes
1. Animal-inspired Apparel - There's an opportunity to create more animal-themed apparel that caters to niche fan bases.
2. Viral Durable Trends - Brands can take advantage of viral stories and trends by creating commemorative collections that generate more sales and engagement on social media.
3. Personalized Graphic T-shirts - There's an opportunity to create customized graphic t-shirts that feature well-known figures, whether it's a celebrity or viral animal, to attract more consumers looking for unique clothing pieces.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion brands can create unique and personalized apparel pieces inspired by viral stories or animals, attracting customers looking for statement pieces.
2. E-commerce - E-commerce companies can sell customized clothing pieces and capitalize on viral trends to bring in more customers and revenue.
3. Social Media - Social media companies can team up with fashion brands to help generate buzz and capitalize on viral trends that users can share, comment, or react to.