“Barves” parody T-shirt

May 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Everett Steele has run afoul of MLB’s Atlanta Braves. He hasn’t run onto the field, disturbing a game in progress. Rather, his transgression centers around a t-shirt produced by his company, Baby Robot Industries. At first glance, the t-shirt seems to be nothing more than a standard Atlanta Braves t-shirt, complete with text and logo. Upon further examination, the joke becomes more obvious.

Steele, who runs Baby Robot Industries with his wife, was inspired by a recent internet misspelling of the team’s name, actually released a t-shirt that reads “Barves.” They sell the shirts through one of their sites – atlantabarves.com, and donate the proceeds to the Atlanta Braves Foundation. While fans have embraced the misspelling and the resulting t-shirt, the Atlanta Braves have taken action and are investigating. They’ve forwarded information regarding the shirt directly to Major League Baseball, who handle all such infringement claims.

It’s too early to tell what the outcome will be, but both sides seem to have a legitimate leg to stand on. The big question that needs to be answered is when does parody cross the line into copyright infringement. In other words, how far is too far, in terms of how fans are allowed to express their enthusiasm?

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Bold designs

May 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

One of the best ways to be seen and noticed these days is by wearing a t-shirt. No other article of clothing has had such a level of impact on people’s ability to express them. Others have tried. There have been irreverent ties. Unfortunately, ties aren’t appropriate for every occasion, and occasions that do require one probably won’t allow a Homer Simpson or piano keys print tie. Hats have had a pretty good run in the bold department, too, but most people tend to go a hair more conservative, usually opting to show their sports affiliations on their heads.

Many of the bolder new designs on t-shirts combine various graphic elements in unexpected ways. One t-shirt designed to promote both a rock concert as well as an airline features the standard “rock on” hand gesture, with the index finger and pinky of the hand each forming an airline runway. Another, on Threadless, appropriately called “moon hug,” shows a crescent moon, apparently engaged in a hug with the dark portion of the moon.

There’s also an intricately-designed shirt by designer Fresco24, featuring a colorful Bhutanese dragon. Yet another, by Inkfx, features a mellow, coffee color with a large zig-zag arrow design. Bottom line, in these or any other bold t-shirts, the wearer is bound to be noticed more than they would in any polo shirt.

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GAP’s New Tee Campaign

May 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

The GAP has redesigned their entire line of t-shirts and is in the process of relaunching them. The new t-shirt collection will be divided into three distinct categories – The Now Tees, The Essential Tees, and The G Tees. The Now Tees feature soft jersey knits and a vintage washed look. The more casual Essential Tees are styled for a better fit in the chest and sleeve. The G Tees are a new line featuring bold graphic designs.

In order to promote the launch, GAP is unleashing their new “Be Your Own T” campaign. The idea behind the Be Your Own T campaign is to emphasize and highlight the wearer’s uniqueness and individuality via the t-shirt, and to promote the idea that GAP offers something for every size and style. At the center of this campaign is a two-pronged digital experience, delivered primarily through GAP’s Facebook page.

The first part is called T-t-yourself, or TIY, and shows viewers ways they can re-purpose old t-shirts of theirs into new and fun fashion accessories. The other part of the campaign is known as Styld.by, which involves GAP collaborating with other partners to incorporate GAP fashions into their overall looks.

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Johnny Cupcakes T-shirts

May 16, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Boston-based Johnny Cupcakes has no shortage of great design ideas these days. But, he’s not willing to ignore the past, and is now paying tribute to a pair of legendary pop artists that helped pave the way for irreverent designers such as himself. Johnny Cupcakes knows that great design doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and is often influenced by the work of others. As such, he’s come up with a pair of designs that are homage to artists that were likely an influence on him. His latest efforts, now available on his website and in his stores, include tributes to legendary artists Roy Lichtenstein and Pier Mondrian.

Lichtenstein was famous for art that evoked imagery that one would normally associate with comic books or perhaps advertising. One of Johnny Cupcakes new shirts is clearly in this tradition, and “comic strip guys” features a man and woman in an overly-dramatized scene drawn like it was straight out of a comic strip, right down to the choice of colors.

Mondrian, on the other hand, was known for black and white grid designs, interspersed with primary colors. Johnny Cupcakes’ new “Mondrian Crossbones” design takes the classic Mondrian style and overlays it with his own now-iconic cupcake crossbones logo.

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“We Believe” ripoffs

May 16, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

In 2007, Oakland’s Golden State Warriors had an impressive yet unexpected playoffs victory. As part of the celebration, countless fans were seen sporting gold-colored t-shirts featuring the text “we believe” surrounding a Warriors logo. Well, as they say, no good idea goes un-copied. As such, there has been no shortage of takeoffs on this now-iconic design in recent years.

Probably the most blatant re-use of this idea has been the LA Kings’ Stanley Cup playoffs t-shirt from last year. The hockey team’s shirt boldly featured the words “we believe” as part of the design, a not-so-subtle tip of the hat to the Warriors’ original design. Another incident happened in 2011, when the Memphis Grizzlies released a shirt of their own. Although the shirt was blue and was entirely different in terms of design, it also boldly featured the word “believe.”

Unfortunately, the Warriors themselves aren’t helping matters. In 2008 alone they released two additional designs capitalizing on their original t-shirt. At the beginning of the season, they released one of nearly identical design, but with the text “we’re back.” Later in the season, fans were seen wearing a “we still believe” t-shirt. Hopefully, someone will come up with another new iconic design soon that various competing sports teams can copy, leaving the Warriors’ original shirt to fade into memory.

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Natural attraction

May 10, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

People have tried nearly everything in the world of dating in the quest to find the right partner. Fancy clothes, the hottest dance moves, and the fastest car have long played a role in quest to attract a mate. Given the mixed and often unpredictable results of such an approach, people have begun to examine the exact science behind the concept of attraction. As such, the latest fad in dating is partially based on science.

In 2010, the pheromone party was born. Essentially, party attendees are encouraged to bring a well-worn t-shirt, which are then labeled and placed in sealed bags, sorted by sex. Members of the opposite sex are then invited to smell the t-shirts belonging to the opposite sex, and potential partners are matched up based on people’s reactions to individual t-shirts.

The parties are new to Los Angeles, having stated in New York two years ago, but the science isn’t entirely new. The fragrance industry has been aware of the role of pheromones for a long time and have incorporated that research into their product development.

For best results, party attendees are encouraged to minimize the use of fragrances and to cut back on the consumption of spicy foods while preparing their t-shirts, as these factors are believed to skew the final product. Whether or not pheromone parties become a long-term staple in the dating world remains to be seen. But, a scientific approach certainly can’t be any worse than a lame pickup line.

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Skepoid contest

May 10, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Skeptoid, if you’re not familiar with it, is a weekly podcast created and hosted by Brian Dunning which exists to debunk or offer otherwise more reasonable scientific explanations for the urban legends and pseudoscience bombarding the public through popular media. Skeptoid’s aim isn’t to be a complete buzzkill, but rather to encourage the general public to engage in more critical thinking, rather than sit back and absorb everything they’re being told without questioning it.

They already have a collection of t-shirts available for their fans, including the official Skeptoid logo, as well as a “just say no” series of shirts debunking specific pseudoscientific phenomena such as UFOs, poisonous foods and the anti-vaccination movement. In a move to expand their line of t-shirts, Skeptoid has opened a t-shirt design contest to the public. The designer of the winning shirt will receive $100 cash as well as an autographed Skeptoid book of their choice, a DVD, a custom recording by Brian Dunning and a selection of t-shirts. Three runners up will also receive a similar prize package sans the cash prize.

There are no restrictions on logo or font, but designers are encouraged to keep things simple in the color department, as Skeptoid wants to keep eventual production costs down on the winning t-shirts. The contest runs until May 20 and the winners will be picked by a self-described “boisterous, liquored-up committee.” Who said that skepticism can’t be fun?

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Success or excess?

May 10, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

It’s 2012 already and the months and weeks are counting down quickly until the November general election which will decide whether presidential incumbent Barack Obama will serve a second term or whether an opposing candidate will take office next January. Tensions are running high, and the field of competitors is getting whittled down by the week. As it is, the most likely Republican nominee is former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

The Romney camp has been continually accused of being out of touch with the average American public. With as much wealth as they have, it’s certainly understandable that this factor would come into play this campaign season, where the 99% is going after the 1% with unprecedented fury. The candidate’s wife, Ann Romney, didn’t help matters recently when she was spotted in public wearing a t-shirt with a retail value of $990. The shirt, made of silk and designed by Reed Krakoff, features a colorful and ornate bird design. Krakoff representatives denied claims that the shirt may have been a gift to Mrs. Romney and instead suggested that she probably purchased the shirt at her local Saks, where it retails.

The Romney campaign has had little to say on the subject except that that they believe that scrutiny of Mrs. Romney and her wardrobe choices should be off-limits in the campaign. This is probably a fair request, but as the campaign moves along, you can be sure that neither side will leave any stone unturned.

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Positive spin on a new tee

May 9, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

I don’t need to tell you that basketball, like all professional sports, is highly competitive and a source of extreme stress for all who are talented and lucky enough to play at that level. It should come as no surprise, then, that players eventually crack under the pressure and have their meltdowns. Such was the case recently when New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire suffered a loss with his team during the Eastern Conference Semifinals in South Beach, and took out his stress via an unproved attack on a glass fire extinguisher box, requiring stitches to his hand. There’s no word on the extent of the injuries to the fire extinguisher box.

New York sports team fan-wear manufacturer Crosstown New York has decided to capitalize on the moment by immortalizing it in t-shirt form. They have released a blue t-shirt, complete with New York Knick-orange text spelling out “AMAR’E.” Well, almost… The “R” in the text is replaced by a fire extinguisher logo. The shirt retails for $20 and is available on Crosstown New York’s website.

This shirt just goes to prove that fans are, as always, as fascinated by the off-court action as they are by the game itself. Let’s wish a speedy recovery to Amar’e so that he can continue to entertain his fans. But, let’s hope he keeps future off-court injuries to a minimum.

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Metal Gear celebrates 25 years

May 9, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been twenty-five years since Japanese game manufacturer Konami first rolled out the first installment of the Metal Gear gaming franchise on an unsuspecting public. Debuting first in Japan before being released internationally, Metal Gear has spawned numerous sequels across practically all gaming platforms since 1987.

Never one to disappoint the gaming public, Konami is now rolling the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection to celebrate 25 years of the series. In addition, they’ve partnered with Japanese clothing design company Uniqlo to release a series of Metal Gear t-shirts to coincide with the game’s release.  The shirts became available in Japan in April and are due for release in 11 other international markets in May of this year.

There are ten designs in total, all inspired by the game and its characters. One design of note includes a gray shirt with black graphics that replicates the armor worn by characters in the game. Others feature the characters themselves, drawn in a highly detailed graphic novel style. The shirts are available in red, gray, blue, black, white and tan, so there’s something available to fit in with any gamers’ wardrobe. The collection will be available online and in stores on May 12. Until then, you can see previews of some of the designs on Uniqlo’s website.

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