"...the magical thing about R8 is that the designs are so progressive as to leave behind issues of Republican vs. Democrat" 
The Boston Globe    


"Rosen has a long history of subverting the political mainstream through fashion"  
The Phoenix    


"These shirts do not scream and shout, but gently counter rant-n-rave stereotypes of dissent by way of quiet infiltration." 
The Weekly Dig    


"Behind the hot Weapons of Mass Deception tee, sold nationally...is Reason8" 
The Wall Street Journal     

Reason8 shirts began as a fashion-driven response to the war in Iraq and a foreign policy that alienated us by insulting our friends around the world.  Since then, we have grown to become one of the top selling pro-democracy brands in the country. Our award winning designs mirror the times we live in.

South African fashion designer, David Rosen, has been creating clothing and making statements since the 80's when he found a way to sneak his subversive anti-apartheid message under the radar and into mainstream stores. His work was banned and he became (in)famous. His work appeared in the South African National Gallery before he moved to New York at 26. Rosen's company, Affair of State, was a huge success in New York. His clothing line ran collections at Bloomingdales and appeared in Elle Magazine, Details, Style, and a number of other fashion rags around the city.

Below is a comprehensive collection of David Rosen's Press history from his beginnings in South Africa to Reason 8 today.

Reason 8 Press

Editorial

• "Fashionable Dissent" by Camille Dodero. The Boston Phoenix, January 9-15, 2004.
• "Mass Disruption, Aisle 2" by Michael Andor Brodeur. The Weekly Dig, Februray 11, 2004.
• "Getting it on Their Chests" by Emily Sweeney. The Boston Globe, Thursday, February 26, 2004.
• Boston magazine cover, July 2004

Photos

New York Press

Editorial

• "Wear it With Meaning" by Aimee Lee Ball. Elle, 1988.
• David Rosen profiled in Style, March 1986
• Houndstooth Jacket featured in Sportswear International 1990s.
• Affair of State featured in Interview, 1988.
• "Affair of State, Defying the Spate of Sameness." Sportswear International, where David pioneered the use of woven lycra, formerly used only in sporting attire, for sophisticated club wear.
• "David David" collection. Details, 1989.
• David Rosen cover on Sunday Times Magazine, August 21, 1988. See Article.
• California Apparel News 1, 2, One piece leotard. 1990s.

Photos

• Bloomingdales resort collection (Hats designed by Vanessa Alssid specifically for this collection) 1, 2, 3, 4
• Bloomingdales David David collection, photos by Ali Brihon (Hats designed by Vanessa Alssid specifically for this collection). David's famous "Triple Collar Blouse" 1, 2, 3, 4
• Bike Chic 1, 2

Posters, Hangtags, and Prints

• Affair of State "Closer" poster.
• "Interpretation" Affair of State poster.
• Prints (coming soon!)

South Africa Press

Editorial

• "Dubbelsoorte" Sarie Marais, March 27, 1985
• "Elegant Informality" The Buyer, August 1985.
• "Manstyl Somer '85" Sarie Marais, August 28, 1985
• "David Rosen Electic Inspiration" The Buyer, March 1986
• Cosmopolitan (South Africa), November 1985

Photos

• Dandy Collection for Women (David's first women's wear collection ever!) 1, 2

Posters, Hangtags, and Prints

• Hangtag for "Nightmare," exhibited at the South African National Gallery. Poster & hangtag designed by Bruce Granville-Matthews & David Rosen.
• Affair of State Hangtags 1, 2, 3, 4 Hangtags designed by Bruce Granville-Matthews & David Rosen.
• Affair of State Posters 1, 2 Poster designed by Bruce Granville-Matthews & David Rosen.
• Mirrors Menswear Collection Poster where David used linings for the entire collection, 1987. "Reflect, we live so little"