T-Shirt Reviews Blog

Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:10 AM PST

First off if you’ve already discovered the visual exuberance and style of Concrete Hermit then head on over to www.ConcreteHermit.com where they’re offering a 10% discount - just enter HERMITCHRISTMAS at the checkout - it applies to all their products in the run up to Christmas. If not, read on. I’ve only just discovered Concrete Hermit myself after receiving a friendly email from Charlie Hood who works at their East End London shop and gallery regarding the pre-Xmas sale and a forthcoming new season of tees for 2010. However let’s begin at the beginning, CH are all about the art, that’s a fact, if you’re like me and like your art with an urban slant then you’re in luck. CH’s store offers a salubrious feast for the eyes including t-shirts, sweatshirts, screen prints, posters, original art, books and even vinyl toys. There’s also limited edition CDs and postcards on offer, plus regular exhibitions at their gallery in Club Row that have featured such luminaries of the graphic design, illustration, fashion, and urban arts scene as Anthony Burrill, Lazy Oaf, Jeremyville and Eskimopush.

There are t-shirts on offer by many of Concrete Hermit’s past exhibitors as well as their Tate Modern series, and all I can say is expect eclectic, the styles vary from artist to artist, and every one of them shines with that street savvy East End style you’d expect from the British urban arts scene. Time and time again I come across street, graffiti and urban artists and galleries online, people I can visually and creatively connect with on so many levels, and more and more I am convinced I am seriously missing out on what maybe the most exciting explosion in visual arts in London for quite some time now. It’s difficult for me being based way out here on the coast to really keep up with all the goings on there, but thankfully sites like Concrete Hermit keep me up-to-date and I’m grateful for it. Who knows, if my proverbial ticket ever crops up perhaps I can one day afford to relocate to the heart of the street art community, but for now, as I say, it’s good to know that sites like this can provide me and many others in my position with the cultural lifeline we so desperately need!

So, let’s get back to the point of this post, the t-shirts, and here we go with a few of my favourite picks at Concrete Hermit:-

Andrew Rae - Tate Modern Series Tee

Let’s start with this superb Andrew Rae tee, part of the the Tate Modern Series which is exclusively available at Concrete Hermit and of course the Tate Modern gallery. This design parades a plethora of fascinating characters and creatures, all expertly illustrated by the extremely talented Rae, original member of the Peepshow illustration collective, he’s an art director too, having worked with the BBC, The V Festival and MTV in the past. A truly great all-rounder if ever there was one. I adore this t-shirt, and I don’t mean that as a passing whim, I’ve seen great illustrations, unique and quirky styles, superb detail, but as a t-shirt this is a glory to behold. Take a look at the close-up, I can imagine every single character having a bizarre background story, Rae has talent to spare, and you can buy a slice of it for £27 (incl. discount) in sizes M/XL in white here.

Cloak Girl Tee by Kid Acne

Cute and suspenseful - who is she? What’s she doing with that stick? Who cares, it’s Kid Acne, the hottest thing to come out of Sheffield since early 80’s New Wave Pop, if you haven’t heard of the Kid, then where have you been? Check out his blog at www.KidAcne.com to see and learn more about this hip hop hero, street artist, illustrator and all-round show off with a reason to be one! Loving this simple yet powerful design, get Cloak Girl in S/M/L here.

Mark Taplin - Dancer Tee

Dancer Tee by Mark Taplin @ Concrete Hermit

Cute, funny and sexy, Mark Taplin’s Dancer t-shirt reminds me somewhat of Dutch underground art. Slightly reminiscent of the days of Flappers in the 20s, this neon combo of smart illustration and Pop Art ethic really speaks to me. It’s about time we had a few more sexy t-shirts at Buy Tees, I don’t know, perhaps its a secret neo-conservative agenda in the t-shirt industry, a little like most Hollywood movies, violence is fine, but as soon as you spot a pair of boobs there’s always some bigwig shouting “but what about the children?”. If you fancy something spicier for the wardrobe then you can get this tee in white in sizes S and L here. If you’ve not come across Mark Taplin before here’s his site, he’s another Rennaissance Man with a talent for illustration and animation; his clients have included big names such as MTV, Vh1, BBC, Mother Advertising, Fallon, Abbey Road Studios, The Guardian and John Brown Publishing in the past.

Vortex Tee

I’m guessing this is an in-house design by the crew at Concrete Hermit, Vortex is available in both pink/brown and blue/black, I prefer the black version but both are superb. This tee takes me back to the arcades in the 80s, something like a mash-up of Space Invaders and perhaps my all-time #1 old school game Tempest. I love the neon effect of this 1-colour print, the close-up reveals a very clean and sharp print, and although I’m sure it’s meant to be an abstract it definitely ticks a few emotional boxes for me. Get this cool shirt in sizes S and L in either colour.

Remember you can get a 10% discount on all tees at www.ConcreteHermit.com until Xmas.

Springleap Xmas Special

Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST

Here’s a quickie for you, it’s a very very early Christmas offer from Springleap.com

X-MAS SPECIAL: Buy 3 t-shirts and receive 2 free! Use the coupon code xmas09 at the checkout to receive your freebies. This special deal only applies to in-stock items and can’t be combined with or used for purchasing gift vouchers.

Very useful if you fancy grabbing a pile of potential presents at bargain prices - remember buy 5 or more t-shirts and get an equivalent to 40% off the total price of your order!

If you do want to splurge at Springleap you’d better hurry and get shopping now - this special only lasts until December 4!

Check out the tees at Springleap’s South African t-shirt community at www.Springleap.com - perfect for Secret Santa’s everywhere.

Lifestyle World

Wednesday, 2 December 2009