Shun Kinoshita got his start on selling t-shirts at the young age of 16, when he spray painted stencils onto t-shirts. He began a t-shirt brand called “Gold and a Pager” when he was 17, selling shirts at his high school and at Victoria’s original, Complex. Gold and a Pager was a young project, however this brand was able to accomplish much more than what an ordinary 16 year-old could do. With woven labels to six colour prints, t-shirts, sweaters, stickers, cards and many charities raising more than $10,000 in his high school years, Gold and a Pager set the stage for what became GOLD MMVIII.

In 2008, as an 18 year-old, Shun founded GOLD MMVIII, which has been a project that is more than just a t-shirt brand, but a brand of himself. It had grown into something much bigger than anyone expected it to be, however it had to be shut down in July 2011 because of a trademark infringement.

On August 8th, 2011, Shun launched “MMVIII”, inspired by Japanese culture and Shun’s personal experiences living in Tokyo/New York/London/Victoria/Vancouver. Taking his family roots into the brand, the logo above is called “Mokkou” which is Shun’s Japanese family crest.

Still involved in charity work, he has raised $1,000 to help out the earthquake/tsunami victims in Japan, and also had another “Give Big” Charity event in June 2011, which raised more than $2,000 for the same cause.

He has worked with Victoria/Vancouver’s Complex, Pac Div, Brandun Deshay, Grande Marshall, Rejjie Snow, Ken Rebel, Mike G (OFWGKTA), Rockie Fresh, Casey Veggies, Fiend, June, J.Good, Corner Boy P, JayKin, Raz Fresco, The 6th Letter, The Jealous Guys, and more —he has several more collaborations coming up.