Over the years, I’ve been approached by various people and companies about starting my own clothing line, and I’ve always said no. Do we really need another guy in a band selling crap teeshirts just to pump up his ego? It seemed a bit cliche.
But, as you may or may not know, I used to be a graphic designer and still do all the artwork for the band - album covers, single covers, merch, website, logos etc etc (Jamie helps with illustrations sometimes because he’s an awesome painter). Naturally, I’ve amassed a lot of ideas and designs that couldn’t or haven’t worked in the context of the band. I looked through them a few months back and realized it would be a shame to let them go to waste.
That said, I still didn’t like the idea of being another guy in another band putting his name to crap.
Through my studies of graphic design, I’ve gotten well into art and collecting it whenever possible. My favorite is mostly street, urban stuff like Banksy and Micallef because I love the way that when they make something, it’s limited and unique. The person who owns their work has the pleasure of knowing that there are very few people in the world who have claim to the same thing.
So I had an idea. What if I did something with my designs using this limited element - to make these shirts more than just shirts - make them actual, special works of art (that also make you look rad).
I don’t really want to call this a company. I see it more as an experiment, an event. There wont be any big marketing campaign, no big promo, no giveaways. This is something special that I am doing myself. You won’t be able to get my shirts in stores or through any other outlets. I don’t feel the need to advertise it any further than telling you guys and letting you spread the word…for the time being.
Each cycle will consist of four of my own designs, as well as one collaboration with another artist. I will only produce a limited number of each design. As each one sells out, the screen will be destroyed, never to be produced again. That’s it, done. Once all the designs are gone, a new set will go up. Each shirt will be made to order - there’s no stockpiled warehouse lying in wait. Every shirt will be numbered and custom made, and will come with a sticker and a badge. Every design will come from my brain via my hands through whatever medium I feel like using at that moment. It’s a way to get my ideas out and have other people be a part of it - looking fucking awesome while doing so.
The chances of seeing anyone wearing the same shirt as you are slim to none, and when people start complimenting you and asking where they can get one, you can smugly tell them they can’t. They are gone. They are shit out of luck.
Be a friend over at http://www.myspace.com/wearemadeinhell and http://www.wearemadeinhell.com for more info.
x
ian
