Who is Justin?

This is the first piece written by one of our new contributors, Chanelle. Chanelle wrote this profile on me and the brand as an assignment for her fashion journalism course. At the time, I had just started writing the blog and I always had the idea to include her piece somewhere on the site. This was the piece that inspired me to add some new voices to the blog and brand. Originally titled "Televised is the Shit!"' here is Chanelle's profile on me. For more on Chanelle, visit her Instagram: @chanellemoon where you can find some of her sick flicks.

When it comes to making T-shirts, Justin Gregorio is trying to put out some “good shit.” And by that, he means graphic apparel that’s accessible, well designed and most importantly, has a message that isn’t slapped on. It’s Televised; a brand that sells casual garments in classic and collegiate colourways ranging from $35 to $65 dollars. The inspiration behind the brand combines Gregorio’s fascination with film, obsession with Supreme, and admiration for Emily Oberg’s Sporty and Rich. With the help of his creative partner Ian Ugale, it was created in May of 2019, during his first year of university.

I came to know Justin through a mutual friend studying in the same program - Creative Industries. Our common interest in brands like his is initially what brought us together. It was only fitting, as Ryerson students, to discuss and de-stress amidst midterm season at the ‘beach’ of the Student Learning Centre (the 6th floor).

What could be said about Justin’s personal life also applies to his brand; “I’m just bouncing through influences.” His fast-paced exchanges reminded me of Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network, who he accurately compared himself to: “I kind of associated myself with things that I saw in films, and I just took it to the next level.” His first Televised T-shirt depicts Audrey Hepburn smoking a cigarette in Roman Holiday, with ‘imitation’ thinly printed on its side: a double meaning through learning to copy visually.

Though it seems like film and fashion were his since birth, growing up was the exact opposite – he hated watching movies. Having lots of female cousins and watching YouTube helped him to develop his own fashion identity, beginning with sneakers. Fashion was then, “a natural trend progression through all the things that I was always submerged into,” he says.

The brand’s goal is getting people to dress better while combatting the oversaturation of fashion and Instagram streetwear with exclusive drops: “I’m not just saying shit as [in] a lot of things; there’s a lot of trash out there. Once you get inundated with so much trash, it’s so hard to separate from the good shit.”