Santeria. A vivid concept of taking 2 worlds, melding them, and creating a new culture and ideology.

This very idea has spawned a new collection from Los Angeles, rightly named "Santeria". Launching for the Spring / Summer 2008 season by two Mexican American cousins, the focus of the collection takes inspiration from their heritage and collective cultural experiences. In simpler terms, what it means to come from a culture so rich, and how that melds with living in Los Angeles.

For their first season, decidedly titled Edition One, they have called on comic book style 'novelas' and urban myths in Mexican culture as inspiration. Blending mythology with the slightly comedic although simultaneously very real novela was something that resonated with both of the principals of Santeria; Art Amador and Juan Galvan both growing up in Southern California, but both with a very distinct Mexican heritage.  The myths and lore of bloodsucking creatures (Vampiros) and the entertaining graphic Novelas were things that many see as subculture, but were very persistent throughout their youth.

Graphically, the two were big fans of the work of LA-based artist and graphic designer Florencio Zavala. Turns out they had friends in common. A meeting took place, and Florencio understood exactly what they needed: something that gives a heady nod to this iconography, but stood on its own graphically and artistically.

Edition One consists of nine cut and sew tee shirts; bold, graphic displays of their heritage. As for what's next? Delving head first into the lore and myths of Latin America, with inspiration being as varied yet cohesive as Santeria itself.