Aphrodite Tee

admin    T-Shirts     Aphrodite, Aphrodite t-shirt, Aphrodite tee, art tees, graphic t-shirts

It’s the latest release from Californian indie label TwinSprnt and it’s a cracker…

Aphrodite Tee

It’s available for pre-order now at $16.50 each for men (S-XXL) in black or navy and women (S-L) in black. Gorgeous.

See more at www.twinsrpnt.com.

Life Is Short Tee

admin    T-Shirts     Dane Thompson, Diffrent Strokes, Flickr, art tees, celebrity tees, funny t shirts, limited edition t-shirts

I’ve just reviewed the work of Dane Thompson at my urban art blog and had to give his awesome t-shirt a plug, so where better than here? I grew up watching Diff’rent Strokes and the inimitable Gary Coleman who died in 2005 from pneumonia brought on by heart surgery. His life was a sad tale to tell, suffering a lifetime of autoimmune disease, his parents ripped him off as a child forcing him to sue, he spent time in prison and his career panned after his early success. Gary Coleman was a real fighter, his amazingly confident performance as Arnold Jackson, the youngest adopted son of the Drummond family saved an otherwise dull TV offering. I didn’t like Diff’rent Strokes as much as Fresh Prince, it was a little less patronising than The Cosby Show, but Gary’s character and his famous catchphrase “What ‘chu talkin’ about?” was a regular greeting at my school for a year or so. Life proceeded to dump on the guy after his short stint of fame (no pun intended) and for many it’s a lesson in how f*cked up the world of fame and celebrity really is.

Life Is Short Tee

This superb design is one of a wide selections of work from Dane’s DST to Infinity illustrated street art project, and it’s a damn fine drawing! I love this tee, I really do, it’s such a poingnant subject, and somehow it manages to celebrate a sweet nostalgia rather than merely delve into the pain and suffering of Gary Coleman. You can order yours for $28 in sizes S-L – email DST@Geloe46@mac.com to order yours today!

Mumford Clothing

admin    T-Shirt Designers, T-Shirts     Dan Mumford, Mumford Clothing, art shirts, art t-shirts, art tees, band tees, fantasy t-shirts

If you haven’t seen London artist Dan Mumford‘s work then you’re truly missing out, producing some of the most visceral contemporary imagery in the UK from his work space in Studio 100, a collective group of artists, illustrators, and graphic designers. His client list is as impressive including bands The Devil Wears Prada, Bring Me The Horizon, and Gallows, Mumford has also tackled major companies such as Nike and Adidas. He is best known for his cover art for “Homesick,” the largely successful album from A Day To Remember, and his extensive t-shirt work for The Black Dahlia Murder.

Check these classic Mumford art tees, all of which are available in black at $18 each, sizes range from YL-XL where available.

Sunset Tee

Crazy colours, a palette that ranges between Fauvism and street artists like OBEY, a beautifully rendered illustration that almost makes you want to frame this one and hang it up on the wall. The end is nigh :0

Dawn Tee

You’d think things would have got a little better by the morning, but no, the evil powers that be seem to have built an intergalactic highway on the rubble of a ruined Earth. These designs could really be storyboards, when is the movie out Dan?

Hope Tee

The heroes have come to save the day, although they’re tooled up and look a little fanatical to me, I’ll be hiding in a cave if anyone needs me.

VIII. Epilogue Tee

I can’t quite tell what’s going on here, but it’s just about the best naturalistic abstract tee I have ever seen. Reptiles, wood, and wheat textures, golden hues galore, amazing.

VI. Dominion Tee

A dazzling design, Dan seems to pull out all the stops with every design. If ever you meet a girl that can do this, I’d run :D

V. Priest Tee

Old goatie, hallowed be thy name, thine evil mutton chops’ bidding will be done. This is probably the sort of thing they get up to at those dodgy Bohemian Grove gatherings. So detailed it hurts.

For more luxuriously illustrated yet rather spooky tees visit www.mumfordclothing.com.

New DeadBuryDead Tees

admin    T-Shirt News     Jack Kerouac, art tees, deadburydead, photo tees, photographic t-shirts, vintage tees

DeadBuryDead have just released 8 new tees for Spring, if you’re not familiar with the label then check out this review. Two shirts that immediately jumped out at me lean towards photo social commentary, which is definitely a new direction for the tee scene. These and all their tees are available for $29.99 in sizes S-XXL (stock permitting).

Metal Heart Tee

Celebrating the steel capital of the U.S, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Without undue sentimentality and a fascinating ‘feel’ to this design, a worthy addition to the collection. I like that classy little logo beneath the main photo too. Available in white at $29.99 each – sizes S-XXL.

Open Road Tee

Inspired by voice of the ‘beat generation’ Jack Kerouac. Once again dipping into the past with another large photographic print, beautifully executed. Available in black at $29.99 each – sizes S-XXL.

Check out the rest at www.DeadBuryDead.com or flick through their lookbook.

Latest Tees at Ardentees

admin    T-Shirts     Bene Rohlmann, Hansomoto, Iain MacArthur, Waldez, ardentees, art shirt, art tees, illustrated t-shirts

I featured some superb tee designs at Singapore based Ardentees (a.k.a ARDT) last April – well here’s a load more courtesy of their latest collection.

The PR blurb says “The theme revolves around the protagonist’s dreams. A digital video error has been intentionally manipulated and controlled to create a unique effect known as datamoshing, which was made famous by Kayne West in one of his videos.” (ooh fancy schmancy!)

This collection introduces 8 exclusive designs from new global artists like Russian Vladimir Snegotskiy aka Waldez and fellow Brit Iain MacArthur and the pick of their current crop of artists Jack Crossing and Hannes Hummel. The latest range of designs offers a riot of colour, ultra intricate print details and portraits of the fairer sex to form an eccentric mix-mash of designs furthering the credibility of Ardentees as a major art shirt label. This latest collection offers a better range of t-shirt colours and fitted styles for the girls. All of the following are priced at 50 SGD each (which works out just under $40 US) as unisex tees in XS to L.

Beauty in Versicolor Tee

Gorgeous illustration, I’d take Versicolor over Technicolor any day :p See more of Hansomoto’s work at www.blog.vintagekitsune.org.

Another Karma Tee

Take a look at the detail shot, this is most definitely a phenomenal skull tee. Totally crazy design by Waldez.

Beauty Tee

Beauty is on the inside. Lovely design by Iain MacArthur.

Rice Rice Crispies Tee

Love the Dada influences in this design by the highly talented Bene Rohlmann.

See more extraordinary tees at www.ardentees.com.

Leon Vault Tees For Sale – Finally!

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Australian t-shirts, Leon Vault, Oz tees, art shirts, art tees, designer tees, indie t-shirts

At last,  it’s been a long old time coming, but it seems that Leon Vault has finally set up an online store to sell their unique arty tees. If you don’t know what I’m talking about you can read all about LV in this review of another label their designers work for. All the shirts at this unique Aussie label are available as scoop, crew and singlet tees for $59 AUD each and crew jumpers at $99 AUD each. Sizes generally range between S-L depending on the cut.

These shirts speak for themselves… dead classy.

Oh Deer Tee

A dream within a dream.

Dead Man Tee

I’ve been to parties like that.

Oh Mercy Tee

The pic is blurry but the design looks gorge…

Stand Still Tee

Miniaturisation has a lot to answer for.

I think LV should sort out some more pics, maybe a zoom function, at least some larger images, it all helps – anyway see more arty tees at www.LeonVault.com.

Limerence

admin    T-Shirts     Limerence, art shirts, art t-shirts, art tees, photo montage shirts

Limerence is a small indie clothing company run by Doug DeMarra. Doug offers a fascinating selection of photo montage tees and a back story to match. A 23-year-old graphic designer from good old “Amish-town” Lancaster, Pennsylvania who fled to the bright lights of the NYC to escape the stifling boredom of “horse buggies, stinky cows, and long rows of cornfields”. After gaining some experience in New York, he fled back home with a new passion for fashion design.He spends his spare time, when not designing and printing his tees, collecting old prints for his creations. He’s a familiar sight in many of the thrift shops in Pennsylvania, hunting down vintage magazines, yearbooks, and newspaper clippings dating from before 1974. For example a 1950’s issue of LIFE magazine featuring ducks migrating south, or his parent’s yearbooks, retro posters, prints, you name it – his inspiration is drawn from all kinds of retro paraphernalia. In case you’re wondering “limerence” means “a crush” – as in infatuation – nice brand name!

There are just four shirts available as of now, although Limerence has only been going a couple of months so I’m sure we can expect plenty more soon. All are available for $12 each in S-L sizes depending on availability.  They’re all printed with eco ink too! Here are my two faves so far…

School Collage Tee

Very Dada, I love the blend of typography and photo-montage, Constructivist style and nostalgic themes. Über kewl.

Flying Hearts Tee

Very romantic, rather dreamy, perfect for cracking the post-Emo market. This one’s for the girls in M/L for $12.

See more at www.shoplimerence.com.

Art Shirts @ Graniph

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Graniph, Japanese t-shirts, allover, art shirts, art tees, artist t-shirts, cut and sew, jumbo prints

Graniph is a design house based in Tokyo, Japan. They offer plenty of very cool art shirts, cut & sew tees, hoodies and more plus they provide a great platform for artists wanting to get into the fashion trade. All the tees are on offer at JPY  2,500 which is roughly $29.69 each for guys and girls. There are literally 1000′s of tees on offer, too many too feature as it happens, but I wanted to share a few of my ultimate faves. Any of which would make a great late Xmas present if you want to risk the late post! Still worth thinking about for next year I s’pose! Don’t worry they have a translated section in case you haven’t brushed up on your Japanese lately. If you fancy trying your luck and submitting a few designs click here.

Anyway check these out:

Nicholas Lorden vol.02 Tee

An absolutely gorgeous ladies cut & sew tee by photographer Nicholas Lorden. Very moody. In case you’re wondering what the big deal is about a cut & sew tee, essentially panels of cloth are printed cut to size and then sewn together to create all over and jumbo prints. The same applies to side seam tees although they don’t seem as popular plus there’s also a technique using a belt screen printer which was big in the 90s. Check this post out at T-shirt Forums for some handy links.

Marcus Walters vol.2 Ladies Tee

A highly amusing tee by Marcus Walters featuring one of my fave artworks by the greatest conceptualist of all time. If you’re scratching your head right now, think about it. Over a 100 years ago a highly respected and influential artist ruins his career in order to point out the hipocracy of the gallery/salon system. Marcel Duchamp made the last factory worker on the line producing gents toilets to sign it, R. Mutt. Marcel was probably the nearest to a futurologist this world has ever seen, his conceptual ideas influenced most of the 20th Century, including artists like Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. Duchamp is the man, and La Fontaine is the most hilarious sculpture ever produced…

National Flag Skull Tee

A smart idea, not sure how well it turned out visually but I love the concept all the same.

Colourful Mushrooms Tee

I spent my late teens scrabbling around damp hills surrounding Brighton, usually in October, all for the love of shrooms. Crazy design, turn on, tune in, tee out. Love that generous print size right up to the seams!

Naughty Ape Tee

Very Banksy. Although I am getting a little sick of ape designs, this tee is definitely cute!

Swifty 001 Tee

This superb take on a classic Warhol is by Swifty, a highly talented UK street artist…

Jack a Dandy Tee

This one is just plain weird, which is good by the way lol.

Alice Wars 2 Tee

Another edition of the classic Alice Wars tee. Balloons and guns, a perfect combo!

Andy Smith vol.03 Tee

Love this one, it’s by the designer/illustrator Andy Smith. Flying rats never looked so cute.

See ‘em all at www.graniph.com and make sure you check the sizes though as Japanese sizes can be a little less forgiving :p

Zero Footprint Tees

admin    T-Shirt News     art tees, eco t-shirts, eco tees, t-shirt art, zero carbon footprint

This one’s just for fun so put your dosh away and if you really want one of these tees:

1. You’re mad, in a very likeable way.

2. You’ll have to make one yourself.

We all know the phrase “art imitating life” but here’s a new one on me… art imitating tees. Dave Rittinger is a highly regarded NY Born / NJ Raised conceptual artist – currently working with two legendary American conceptual artists and sculptors Dennis Oppenheim and Alice Aycock. With Dennis and Alice Dave he has worked on speculative and commissioned public art projects all over the world while continuing to operate on his own conceptual work that embraces various mediums from film to sculpture, installation and still image.

His Zero Footprint shirts are exactly that, well almost, asides the glue they are about as ecological as you can get. You guessed it – they’re made entirely from leaves.

Zero Footprint Tees

A hilarious collection I know, but still, somehow a comment on just how difficult it will be to fix the mess the human race is in right now. I was watching the documentary “Collapse” the other night and thinking on exactly the same lines. If you still want new tees when the oil runs out make sure you have these in your garden:

A cotton field.
A loom.
A large selection of berries and metal oxides for dye.
An optimistic outlook.

Until then – have fun ;)

Enclothe Autumn Collection

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Enclothe, art shirts, art t-shirts, art tees, graphic t-shirts

This is the first time I’ve reviewed Enclothe and to start off I have some great shots of their forthcoming Autumn collection for you which will be available November 1st. For those who are already familiar with the brand you’ll notice a change in direction as each new collection is released.

Expect even more naturalistic designs which perfectly suit the fall season, with scenes of nature deftly illustrated for the most part by one talented individual Derek M. who also set up and runs the company as well as manages retail and marketing for Enclothe. They also offer hoodies, posters and accessories featuring the same quality of design if you fancy completing your collection.

Let’s begin with the forthcoming additions – this is the first time the collection has been revealed to the public and I am sure that Derek M. would appreciate your feedback if you’d care to comment:

The attention to detail is as always exceptional, and the “design treatment” for the Fall season is conceptually and technically finer than ever, with subtly engrained and textured naturalistic illustrations that raise the benchmark for t-shirt design. Enclothe has counterbalanced its Summer collection of tragic tales of ghost Ships, great lighthouse battles, and mysteries of the deep with a more contemplative collection of highly ornate and personalised designs. As always the passion for both art an arcane art of storytelling comes to the fore, Derek has spearheaded a t-shirt brand that looks beyond the immediate, eschewing fads and trends in order to lift t-shirt design to a whole new level, be it conceptually and/or technically.

Here’s a potted history of the brand development:

“Enclothe was started by me (Derek M.) back in 2003 with simple goals. It was a way to sell some ‘Warmonger’ shirts I had designed as my personal way to protest oncoming Iraq war. The sign shop I had worked at had a screen printing press so I started working after hours to print my own shirts. The success of that led me to begin creating other shirts, ‘Ninja Pirate’, and ‘451‘ were among some of the first designs. From those few shirts the business grew and travelled with me down to San Francisco for five years as I attended the Academy of Arts University. There my skills and taste matured and I began to craft some more elaborate plans for Enclothe. Since then we’ve bounced from SF to Oregon down to San Diego where we briefly opened an Art Gallery/shop, this was a short expensive stay before we ended up back in my home in the Rogue Valley in Oregon, which is where we will stay for the foreseeable future.

I have to include a few of my fave tees from the Summer collection, especially Enclothe’s 451 tee inspired by Fahrenheit 451 written by one of my fave sci-fi writers as a child Ray Bradbury and magnificently translated to the screen in 1966 by François Truffaut. An Orwellian tale of fascist society controlled by the limitation of knowledge and information. A task carried out by “firemen” who, as did the Nazis, burned books rather than put out fires.

If you fancy any remaining tees from the Summer collection be warned, most are now either out of stock or running very low, still no harm in trying your luck. My personal fave has to be Electric Buddha, technically superb, I’d love to be able recreate this old school etching style – something I have been struggling with for weeks. I’ll have to get some tips from Derek if I can.

Enclothe have a strong reputation for intelligent and beguiling design infusing their love of mythology, science fiction, literature, the arts and the environment into each and every garment. The Autumn collection features stories of ancient battles, dying planets, the beginning of creation, and the end of time, some big subjects for the humble medium of the tee. Enclothe sources talent from around the world in order to enhance their sublime art shirts, having already featured artwork from such luminaries as;

Jeremy Hanlin
Aaron Allen
Nikki Burch
Sven Palmowski
Adam Rosenlund
Geordan Moore
Michael Heinz-Fischer
Jerry Maninang

See and learn far more at www.Enclothe.com.