Small Trades Striped Forest

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watercolor by Chris Sharp

LANVIN T: limited edition

J'adore.... need I say more?

Jeff & his Westy T

Soft and worn in... a wonderful feeling. Jeff's favorite T is an $8 vintage Westy. The T loves his contours as much as his contours love it! It's been around for over a decade. He bought it in Seattle at a (now closed) cool vintage store called Heller's Cafe. Jeff who always wears a smile loves wearing his Westy T. The image is of a man bowling and he seems truly happy which is why he's saying at Westy's "Where I'm #1." Pure simple happiness * in a tomato red super soft T. I wonder if Westy's ever existed...

Just Stripes

No matter how you do it, hang 'em or pile 'em! Take a stripe as it comes...

Double Stripe * Double Take

It's all about stripes this week! They come in all shapes, sizes and colors... Stripes for all. Adorable! Adorable!

Classic: Gwyneth and her stripes...

Gwyneth, a classic herself dons a 'Small Trades' classic Natural*Navy striped Tee. I said it once (well, I'm sure I've said it many times) a stripe is always a classic! And I'm sure I will say it again...

Stripes Never Go OUT of Style

Coco Chanel * Audrey Hepburn * Natalie Wood
Classic * Timeless * Ageless

Wear Your Support

Made in the USA! Did you have your doubts? President Obama is cashing in on the much discussed birth certificate situation. A donation of $25 or more to the 2012 president re-election campaign YOU can wear a real copy of Obama's birth certificate right on your person! Did I mention the T-Shirt is made in the USA. Just wanted to make sure... The reasoning behind this sure to be controversial Tee... Julia Smoot: deputy campaign manager explains "Last year The President said, 'I can't spend all of my time with my birth certificate plastered on my forehead.' This is about close as we can get." On a simple white cotton T.

The Portrait T

CZLOWIEK (Human Being) is a photo based T-Shirt project by the Berlin photographer Robert Klebenow. Robert wanted to experience his photography in a different medium. He set out in his backyard thru Eastern Europe to shoot street portraits which in turn became the inspiration for this project. But let's get down to brass tactics here! It's cool idea. Simple straightforward portraits of cute boys but isn't it all about the actual Tee itself? I say YES! This one looks like it can hang on the racks at joints like Colette or Dover Street Market. Handmade, a bit of deconstruction and they are UNISEX. Each image is numbered and offered in limited production. The price is not too bad either... a mere 80 euros. I hear they are going quick so look up Robert online or if you are in Berlin go to the source!

Small Trades: The panel rib stripe Tee

I apologize in the delay for my non-posting, but things have been very very busy... I would like to introduce SMALL TRADES. A new collection of panel rib cotton t-shirts. The idea of combining a European sensibility with back to basics American craftsmanship ensures that the "Made in USA" label will survive (or so we all hope!). The T's are made by the same family since 1907 in a factory that has been operating since the Civil War. They are simple, classic, cute, non-fashion, wearable and reasonably priced - what more can a girl want in a T-Shirt?

Cesar Padilla: RIPPED... 800 T-Shirts?

Can you imagine going on a trip only to come home to your prized collection gone? Something you held near and dear to your heart. And here's the cherry, your mother is behind the whole catastrophe! All for a Rock band T-SHIRT collection... "RIPPED: t-shirts from the underground" comprise of what Padilla has been trying to put back together for over 20 years. Since the day he returned home from a trip to South America and found what his mother did to him. He went on a pilgrimage. RIPPED documents 200 T's of his 800 and counting collection. The chosen represent pure wholesome creativity mostly made by the bands themselves with the only desire being to not only be heard but seen and now timelessly remembered. The T's were photographed in true form, dirt stained and all. Just as they came to him... whether they are found in a thrift shop or sent as a gift. They are what they are to some but to Cesar... well, I think we all know the answer to that! Thanks!

P.s. Images are directly from the book (sorry a bit dark). Yup I bought it on amazon.com. The 2nd photo: T's made by Padilla during his misspent youth. Only to be recovered later...

Richard Prince... "T-Shirt Paintings: Hippie Punk"

Down on the Bowery in NYC you will see a T-Shirt hanging in a gallery for 65 grand. And that's on the low, the high end range could hit $125,000! Surprised, shocked? I didn't think so... It is NYC and these T-Shirt paintings are by The artist Richard Prince. The 31 paintings dating from the mid-80's to the present were all created on old beefy T-Shirts stretched over wood or canvas. These t-shirts reflect the personal work of Prince because each one came out of whatever he was working on at the time. The paintings vary in theme and style. Some of the images include evidence of his pop-cultural obsessions (all layered in paint) a Led Zeppelin decal, Woodstock, a Jimi Hendrix image and even a few stenciled jokes... "I went to see a psychiatrist. He said, 'Tell me everything.' I did and now he's doing my act" is one. It gave me a nice chuckle. If you are in the neighborhood pop into Salon 94 Bowery, 243 Bowery and check out the show but hurry it's only open through June 26. But don't fret there's still plenty of time to get down there from The Upper East Side!

Steve McQueen: The T

"The king of cool" was his nickname. And I can't think of a guy that is cooler than Steve McQueen. Just look at him: Not only physically gorgeous but he emulated sexiness without (I'm sure) even trying. He was a real guy's guy. Besides being a famous movie star he professionally drove race cars, motorcycles and an avid dirt bike rider. He didn't mind getting a bit dirty. I found this image online and could not resist posting it. This is not a famous T worth any value (as far as I know) but I thought it to be a much worthy addition to the blog. Steve McQueen died at the young age of 50. But his legacy will live on and be remembered forever...

Valentino makes T-Shirt's?

Oh Yes! Valentino is making t-shirts. Most brands are reinventing themselves today to draw new customers. But Valentino wants to join the daylight hours with their long established clientele. And perhaps, well, I'm sure the T's will add a whole new crop of devotee's. Give the ladies something to wear for breakfast, lunch or happy hour. Simple. But these T's are not so simple. Using Couture dressmaking techniques the chief designers of Valentino (Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli) are taking their T to a whole new level. Choose from a short list of ten styles ranging in price from $590-$1980. Remember this is Valentino! And how can we forget. Sequins, tulle and crinoline... Delectable. What a perfect addition this season for the urban princess. And this is just the beginning...

Tavi's Teeeeeeee

Tavi Gevinson the uber popular Style Rookie Blogger has collaborated with Borders & Frontiers in London to create a very cool t-shirt. And more so, it was inspired by the Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2008 collection. I stumbled on this Tee at the MOCA shop in downtown LA. I was drawn to it immediately. I am not a big printed T-Shirt girl personally but the graphic drew me in all the way to the register. The design is hand printed on a 100% certified organic cotton. It comes in two metallic (sorry just the graphic, don't think anyone has figured out how to create organic metallic yet!) versions as well. Of-course I chose the black. This might not be Tavi's fav but I sure took a liking to it... P.S. The hang tag is one of the coolest I've seen around!

The PRADALPHABET Tee Collection

The design team Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag or (M/M Paris) collaborated with Miuccia Prada to create a limited edition T-Shirt collection. Every letter in the Pradalphabet is designed as architecture: as each of the letters are individually drawn up they are interlinked by M/M. "When we were commissioned to design t-shirts for PRADA, we thought that the beauty of buying one is to own a souvenir of a place, a person or an event," says M/M. A memento of a period in time and place within in the world of PRADA. Miuccia Prada is a true visionary without borders of what design is and should be... The PRADA:M/M concept has encapsulated a memorable piece of design for all to view, wear and enjoy. A special made to order of your own name spelled out on a PRADA T is also possible. But anything seems to be possible in the world of PRADA!

Nana and the Glitter Googly T

Nana lives in Ft. Green and thinks that the world needs more googly eyes and glitter - And I think she's got something there... She bought her Tee at Opening Ceremony about a year ago and it costs somewhere in the $100 range. Nana can't remember the designer (she cut the tag) but it's very reminiscent of her friend Zach Fleming's artwork. When she throw's on a big cardi and all you see are the bear's head and eyes... Clever secret?... An inside joke? Whatever, I'm convinced! I think everyone needs a googly eyed glitter Tee too! Maybe it's the next trend? Regardless, it's the coolest of the gizillion T's Nana has stocked in her closet. Great pick!

Jiang Ni's Perfect Summer T-Shirt

Jiang lives in Flushing. And he hit it spot on with his pick for his favorite T. And yes, a tank is in the T-Shirt family. Understated luxury. Ann Demeulemeester 100% cotton fine ribbed. A bit sheer which makes it perfect for layering as well. It clings to the body just so... that you would never want to take it off! He's had it for about 2 years and got for a steal at $65 (on sale from $250)! It makes him feel like a poet that frolics in an open field only to discover that one inviting tree that welcomes reading and writing all day long. A perfect summer afternoon. Dreamy...

Ernesto 'CHE' Guevara: The Rebellious T-Shirt

Che Guevara is one of the most popular symbols to emerge out of the political turmoil of the 60's. T-Shirts bearing the face of the Marxist revolutionary is the symbol of radical chic. A generic device of the underdog. A man willing to die for a cause. A man of his word. The year was 1967 in Bolivia where the road ended for CHE - he was executed. Yet today CHE has become viewed as an inspirational icon of the underdog. The modern day Jesus Christ. After his death on the streets of Santiago Chile voices were heard round the world "!No lo vamos a olividar!" "We won't let him be forgotten!" Time Magazine added CHE to the list of 100 most important figures of the century. A revolutionary who dedicated his life to fight capitalism has become nothing more than a piece of merchandise. In the end capitalism always wins. But the sentiment never will die...

T-Shirt Travels: Film by Shantha Bloemen

Shantha Bloemen volunteered with a community development initiative in a remote part of Northern Zambia: 50 miles from the nearest town with running water and electricity. While adjusting to living in a different culture, learning how to cook "mealie meal" the local cuisine and carrying water on her head which was located a mile from her home.

Something struck her as oddly familiar: almost everyone in the village wore second hand clothing from the west, from the village elder sporting a CHANEL knockoff jacket to women in AC/DC t-shirts. She began thinking if the original owners had any idea that their cast-offs they had given to charities ended up being sold to Africans (at a 400% mark-up) half way around the world. The T-shirt that left the most profound mark on her was a white tattered T worn by an elder chiefdom that read "I danced at Elijah's Bar Mitzvah 1986." The T probably came from NYC and is now worn by a born-again Christian village elder in Africa.

An export agent from Brooklyn told Shantha that The Salvation Army doesn't even unpack most of the donated clothing but sells it to companies for export to third-world countries. Since 1992 when Zambia opened it's doors to free trade within 8 years the clothing manufacturers have gone out of business. Not a single one left in the country. In 2001 Shantha finished the film "T-Shirt Travels" which was aired on public television. We westerners think that dropping off our clothing donations is a good thing. Maybe we should think twice of where our unwanted cast-offs actually go and the impact of those goods and the communities that receive them...