Jan

The Highly Motivated Super Motif

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Isabelle Lumpkin, Little Boots, Rolling Stones, Santigold, graphic t-shirts, illustrated tees, super motif, supermotif.com

I’ve just read through Super Motif’s manifesto and am fascinated at the ideological machinations behind this label, both conceptually and philosophically. This British brand openly reject the usual routes to building a successful name in fashion, preferring instead to take a dicier but more impressive stance, to simply let their t-shirts speak for themselves. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for SM, not only is the ethos behind their company as illuminating as anyone in retail could possibly muster, they produce a fine selection of graphically exuberant tees that would raise the bar in anyone’s wardrobe.

Although their submissions page is down right now they do still seem to be encouraging work from designers and artists, with a preference for hand-drawn illustrations for the main part. Check out their commissions page for more details, just remember that SM are as interested in why things look like they do as what they look like! The current payouts for accepted t-shirt designs are a £500 advance against a royalty of 12% of gross sales.

SM are gracious enough to dedicate a page to their designers too, which is something I’d like to see at a lot more t-shirt stores. If you fancy listening to music, SM are a multi-talented company after all, check out their mix tapes. But first and foremostly, let’s take a look at some of their t-shirts!

Ostrich T-shirt

A beautifully retro designer t-shirt by John Pasche, Ostrich is on offer at SM for £25 in sizes S to XL for men. I really appreciate the bold visuals and strident visual flair incorporated into Pasche’s tee, simple but striking at the same time. The style slips between 60’s and 70’s pop art, perhaps something you might have even expected to see on the front cover of I.D Magazine in the 80’s. Loving the sense of movement in this design, it reminds me a little of an old Zoetrope. Definitely not one for those who wish to stick their heads in the sand ;) In case you’re not aware, Pasche is the genius behind the Rolling Stones tounge logo, he made it in the early 70’s and I think he only got about £50 for it, although I believe they gave him a little more later when they realised they’d ripped off one of the most classic logos of all time for a pittance. If you don’t know what I’m talking about check this…

Vag Carter T-shirt

The Vag Carter t-shirt by Isabelle Lumpkin of the superb new-wave-dub group Santi Gold reminds me a little of some of the work of early German Dadaist George Grosz, not quite architecture nor expressionist, somewhere vaguely in between and infused with a good sense of humour. Perhaps this tee is a little risqu√© for some, but I like it, it’s created with love and care and raises something of a wry smile for me. It’s available in sizes S to XL for women.

Heart T-shirt

Chrissie Abbott is the art director and designer for Little Boots, she’s also knocked out this lovely little number, a delicate collage brimming with a wide range of soulful hues, something melancholic about this shirt, and not the least bit twee. Get the Heart t-shirt for £25 in sizes XS to XL for women.

Record Head T-shirt

Here’s another tee by the multi-talented Isabelle Lumpkin, Record Head instils me with nostalgia for a bye-gone age, a time when punks made underground magazines in a basement squat (rather than in suits at a prestigious corporate HQ), bands played pubs to get by (rather than tried their luck singing covers in front of Simon Cowell) and music was sold in the far superior format of vinyl. Until relatively recently the beauty of analogue sound was appreciated by all be it novice muso or world respected producer. Nowadays it’s all digital, it’s cheap, easy to edit and can be knocked out ten to the dozen. The saddening fact is it doesn’t sound as good, honest, I am that old I remember. Still what’s sound quality when there’s money to be made. Great concept, great statement, great tee. You can get it for £25 for men in sizes XS to XL.

Check out all of Super Motif’s tees and t-shirt dresses at www.SuperMotif.com.