David Rosen (artist)

Trained as a painter, he is known primarily for his political fashion, art and activism, from his anti-apartheid designs in the 1980s to the Reason8 clothing label in the United States.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, David Rosen was educated at Sea Point Boys High School.

[1][2][3][4][5] In 1985 his “LET'S SHARE” tee shirt was banned by the apartheid government and after it appeared on the front page of The Cape Times newspaper,[6] the security police confiscated anything with his label and the tag-line: “clothes for people by david”.

In 1986, along with partner Danny Forman (Forecaster of Boston) he formed “Affair of State NYC” designing Better Junior and Contemporary collections.

From 1986 to the beginning of the 1990s David made his name in New York city, selling to major specialty and department stores like Bloomingdales, Macy's and Patricia Field.

Shortly after, in 2003, David created the Reason8 label as a fashion-driven response to the invasion of iraq and various political and ideological drifts following the presidency of George W. Bush.

[20] From 2008 up to the time of his death in 2014, he only issued limited editions shirts and his main focus shifted toward process art through his painting, illustration, sculpture and multi-media projects.