The brand ©SAINT Mxxxxxx, founded by designer Yuta Hosokawa and artist–designer Cali DeWitt, has built a loyal following both in Japan and overseas for its pursuit of truly unique, authentic vintage pieces and its distinctive hand-painted designs. The duo has previously collaborated with Ghost in the Shell, and their edgy, handcrafted approach continues to resonate with fans worldwide.

 

To celebrate ‘The Exhibition of The World of Shirow Masamune -“The Ghost in the Shell” and The Path of Creation-’ now running at the Setagaya Literary Museum, ©SAINT Mxxxxxx has teamed up once again for a special collaboration. This exclusive T-shirt will launch on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in an ultra-limited run of just 100 pieces worldwide, a must-have for collectors.

 

In this interview, we asked the two creators to share the story behind this special collaboration and what went into making this one-of-a-kind piece.

——©SAINT Mxxxxxx was founded by Cali Dewitt and Yuta Hosokawa in 2020. What inspired your commitment to vintage?

 

Both of us have always loved vintage, and we share a similar background in that respect. We also wanted ©SAINT Mxxxxxx to be a timeless brand. By incorporating vintage processing techniques, we create pieces that feel as if they’ve already been worn for years and the more our customers wear them, the more unique aging and character the garments take on. Our goal is to make products people can keep and love for a long time.

 

——Could you tell us more about what you’re particular about in your production process?

 

Of course, we pay close attention to comfort and silhouette, but we’re especially particular about the vintage processing. We work closely with our production teams, going through countless rounds of trial and error until we’re completely satisfied. We also change the placement of the distressing and processing for each design, and every piece is individually treated by skilled hands.

 

——You’ve collaborated with Ghost in the Shell before. For this special exhibition, what design aspects did you focus on?

 

We created a collage that makes full use of Shirow Masamune’s graphics. We feel that Shirow’s world and characters pair perfectly with the collage approach, so it was a natural fit for this project. Since Ghost in the Shell began serialization back in 1989, there’s a strong connection in spirit too. We started with a black T-shirt body and repeatedly bleached certain areas to create a two-tone look with white, leaving some black sections intact. We then used a large screen to hand-print the collage. Every step, from removing the black dye to printing, was done by hand.

 

 

——Did you draw inspiration from the world of Ghost in the Shell in your own creative work? And do you have a favorite scene?

 

It’s hard to put into words, but we’ve definitely been inspired in many ways. The use of color in particular has influenced us strongly. Our favorite scene is from the opening sequence of the 1995 anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL, when Major Motoko Kusanagi’s cyborg body is being created.

 

——For this collaboration, Shirow Masamune created an original logo for ©SAINT Mxxxxxx, his first for an apparel brand. We heard there were many logo ideas. What made you choose the final one?

 

It was really a matter of first impression, it just felt right. We thought it captured the essence of Ghost in the Shell the best.

 

——Finally, do you have any message for Shirow Masamune or thoughts on Ghost in the Shell as the original work?

 

If we could have one wish, it would be to meet him in person someday.

 

——You’ve done many collaborations with manga and anime. In your view, what aspects of your brand’s worldview make this such a good fit? Also, recently we’ve seen more and more collaborations between fashion and manga or anime, what do you think makes them work so well together?

 

Originally, manga and anime were part of what you could call otaku culture, for better or worse. But over time, they’ve come to be seen as cool and stylish content even from a fashion perspective — in other words, they’ve gained cultural legitimacy. I think there are many factors behind this: the way Japanese pop culture has been re-imported back to Japan from overseas, like from France or the U.S., or the way we’re now re-recognizing it as something we can be proud of. The rising popularity of vintage manga and anime T-shirts in the vintage scene today is part of that too.

It’s the same with vintage pieces in general: works or items from 10, 20, or 30 years ago are constantly being rediscovered and reinterpreted in ways that fit the current era. From that perspective, I think ©SAINT Mxxxxxx’s strength in vintage processing pairs really well with manga and anime content. We always strive to create products that can stand alongside real vintage pieces from the ’80s and ’90s.

 

——Lastly, are there any upcoming projects or news you can share with us now?

 

It’s still a little too early to announce anything, but we do have a lot in the works, so please look forward to what’s next!

 

©SAINT Mxxxxxx

Founded in 2020 by Yuta Hosokawa, who is the designer of READYMADE, the charismatic Japanese brand that has captivated countless fans since its launch in 2013 and Cali DeWitt, an artist and designer based in Los Angeles, ©SAINT Mxxxxxx brings a new concept to life. Known for pursuing authentic vintage production and hand-painted techniques, the brand has released a range of T-shirts and sweatshirts with a distinctive, raw feel. The brand debuted at a Paris showroom in January 2020 and has been expanding in Japan and overseas since Fall 2020.

 

NEWS: We’re excited to announce a special collaboration T-shirt with ©SAINT Mxxxxxx. The back of this exclusive piece boldly features the ©SAINT Mxxxxxx logo, specially created by Shirow Masamune himself, the first time Shirow has ever designed a logo for an apparel brand. This unique logo was selected from over 100 design candidates, adding even more rarity to this item.

This collaboration T-shirt will be released in an extremely limited run of just 100 pieces worldwide, making it a highly collectible item. Don’t miss out on this exclusive piece, available only for this special exhibition. Sales start on Saturday, July 26, 2025. For more details, please check the official site.