Grail tees, by Peter Ross, have maintained their “it” item status. I thought at 80 bucks or more a pop that success for the company might be short-lived despite the obvious appeal of their products. The reason for the high price point, and one of the draws of Ross’s fashions, is the customization process. Each shirt or sweat pant is printed with graphic/s, and made unique with paint and bleach splatters. It can’t hurt Grail’s business that the skull, their main motif, aside from their logotype, is enjoying a moment in the spotlight.

Traditionally associated with punk and Grey’s Anatomy (the famed medical illustrations, not the TV show), drawings of this essential human structure are enjoying a mainstream moment. I find the most successful incarnations of the trend to be those that glamorize the skull: pave jewelry, Robin Rotenier cufflinks and J.Press ties. Grail uses the skull in combination with flowers, hummingbirds and butterflies to balance scary and sweet.

I’ll share a little secret if you promise to take it to the grave with you. I got a to-die-for deal on my Grail goodies at Loehmann’s, my favorite place to do designer discount digging. Alas, poor fashion, I know it well.