José Parlá, born in 1973 in Miami to Cuban parents, spent the first years of his youth in Puerto Rico before returning to the mainland at the age of nine. Largely a self-taught painter, Parlá was awarded a scholarship to Savannah College of Art & Design and returned to Miami to study at the New World School of the Arts. In 1983 Parla was painting on city walls and subway cars under the name Ease, during which he began to experiment on canvas in an attempt to translate the derelict environment of the urban cityscapes to a more permanent medium. In 1997 Parlá moved full time to Brooklyn, where he lives and works today.

Three limited edition t-shirts featuring graphics commissioned by top designers/artists to represent the three major cities The Standard hotels inhabit: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City. Because lettering directly reflects a certain person or region, selecting the perfect artist for each location was extremely important, hence, hand-picking Eric Haze from New York City, José Parlá, from Miami, and west coast’s Natas Kaupas for Los Angeles. 

Each of these artists were commissioned to write the city’s name in their own personal handstyle, making each a unique and recognizable representation for that area. The days of receiving the typical, “my … went to … and all i got was this lousy t-shirt” tee from your friends and family when they travel are over!

Produced in New York, in collaboration with Tony Arcabascio, The Standard's TOURIST TEE set consists of 3 different graphics offered in 2 different color-ways. Each is packaged in its own reusable, nylon, monogrammed travel case, making it the perfect pre-wrapped, 2-for-1 gift.

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