Introducing Song for the Mute…

Sydney-based, elevated streetwear label Song for the Mute is deft at harmonizing amidst dualities and is, fittingly, developed by a duo- Melvin Tanaya and Lyna Ty. Together they’ve grown the company from a single graphic tee to international collaborative collections with Adidas. The brand’s namesake speaks to giving a voice to the voiceless by delivering designs that cater to those who don’t quite fit the standard molds of society.  

Born in Tokyo during the waning years of World War II, Yohji’s modest childhood formed in equal parts around the ravage experienced by Japan in the war’s aftermath and his mother’s delicate work as a seamstress. He learned to sew from a young age, working alongside her in their home dressmaking studio. While Fumi Yamamoto had hoped her son would pursue a career as a lawyer, and Yohji even graduated with a degree in law, he ultimately rejected what he considered “ordinary society.” Instead, Yohji felt drawn to the wild possibility of fashion, which was blooming in Europe at the time as designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Yves St Laurent dominated the runways.

Duet of design

Melvin and Lyna describe their line as a “long-form story” told in fabric, themselves as the characters and seasons as chapters. The pair’s own story started in grade school in Sydney, Australia, where they formed a friendship that carried through to university. Melvin and Lyna partnered their respective graphic and fashion design educations to create their first piece: a printed t-shirt. This piece led to a sizable order from a boutique which left the pair scrambling to find a large-scale production outfit. A few directory page calls later, they connected with local Australian manufacturers who they continue to source from today. Staying true to a close-knit team and a unique vision brought SFTM acclaim- winning Fashion Brand of the Year at GQ’s 2019 Men of the Year Awards.

Small-batch approach

Song for the Mute relies heavily on the complementary talents of Melvin and Lyna. Melvin handles the operational and storytelling aspects of the brand, while Lyna develops textiles in-house. The collections are limited, with just a few styles at a time, making them all the more precious. This small-batch approach ensures that Lyna and Melvin keep a tight grip on quality, presentation and storytelling.

A compatible clash

Song for the Mute thrives on the balance between seemingly discordant ideas. Lyna tends to embrace imperfection, rawness and texture, while Melvin pushes for clean lines and perfect execution. Their latest collection, Sunflower, upends the everyday with a flair of the unexpected. Multicolored, mismatched plaids become cool, cropped button-downs. Jagged-edged florals adorn sheer mesh garments. 

Something imperfect — and radiant because of it.

Unfinished hems and loose seams make Song for the Mute’s clothing take on a nostalgic quality. The collection is meant for the wearer to make memories in.

“A spirit patched from youthful yearning. A rebellious wanderer in well-worn clothes. Frayed cuffs, a parents jacket, shoes softened by distance. A sun-warmed trinket stitched beneath the collar. The weight of longing, carried lightly, with warmth.”

—An excerpt from Song for the Mute’s Sunflower