T-Shirt Reviews Blog

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 11:16 AM PDT

Here’s another new clothing line hot off the press for you. Hype Industries is an up-and-coming urban streetwear brand that prides itself on creating instant classic stylish tees with attitude. I don’t mean bad ass kid’s crap, I mean the real deal. Cool, confident, straight-talking style. Their ultra clean designs, use of quality fabric, and originality sets them in good stead for a growing following. Think street, urban, hip-hop, blended with a positive spin on life, a smattering of corporate subversion and iconic nostalgia and you’re there. To get the ball rolling here’s a 20% discount code “HYPESTIMULUS” – just enter it at their checkout for a great saving and that’s no hype :p

Based in Southern California, Hype Industries values “fresh fashionable lines that represent a classic look mixed with the twisted reality of the daily grind. Independent minded and overflowing with passion, the Hype brand is a positive take on a negative world and beacon of hope for all.”

Check out these three tees as a taster of what’s to come at H.I…

Evil One Tee

I used to think Evel Knievel was “the man” when I was a nipper, asides being an astronaut I couldn’t think of a cooler career. Although I didn’t realise at the time just how many bones the guy broke throughout his. I begged for an Evel Knievel toy for years, yes my single mum was as broke as they came, so I never did get it. I even liked the jump suit, although it was the Seventies so who could blame me?.Anyway if you love all things Knievel, and hate all things empirical, then this tee’s for you. Available for $18 in sizes S-2XL here.

Emblematic Problematic Tee

The Emblematic Problematic Tee is so cool, I mean really, when was the last time anyone subverted Rolls Royce’s branding? The fact is RR has really lost it’s sheen over the past few decades, if it wasn’t for the oil billionaires of the Middle East I doubt the car would still be made. The amount of amazing forms of transport available to anyone with a few hundred grand might have something to do with it. Very very slick design, available for $18 in all sizes here.

Home Jersey Tee

This one is so retro it hurts, a total classic, beautifully put together, it feels that natural as a design it almost precludes comment. My favourite of the bunch, the Home Jersey Tee is available for $18 in all sizes here.

This is one hell of a confident brand, they definitely know what they’re doing, a few more like this and everyone will have heard of Hype Industries. Keep your eyes peeled at www.bewareofthehype.com.

Arteefact

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 03:06 AM PDT

John from Arteefact, a brand new t-shirt label contacted me yesterday for a review. Uniquely they hold no stock, instead, when they receive an order they plot it, weed it and transfer it on a t-shirt especially for you. Each of their tees comes with a unique number printed on the back, and they even offer custom designs. Now, I’m not known as a fan of vinyl tees, I’d take water-based printing over heat press every time, it’s better for the environment and feels much nicer to wear, but who knows, you might think differently.

Amongst their slightly shambolic first collection are some real beauties, I adore their Determination T-shirt, which again is an abstract design, not my favourite kind, but this one seriously works. On the other hand there are a few I’d rather skip. Over all I’d suggest the collection needs some work to get going. The designs that do work are strong, the store is beautifully laid out, and their commitment to a more personalised service is very reassuring, I just wish there was a way I could convert them to a more eco-friendly approach, something that would add to their mounting kudos rather than detract from it. Still, there’s definitely talent at Arteefact, check these shirts out to get my drift…

Determination Tee

Not only is this a fantastically visual abstract design, it’s enabled Arteefact to be incredibly sparing with the vinyl which is most definitely the direction they should follow if they want to stick with heat press tees. There’s a real iconic dynamism to the look of this one, almost leaving you hanging in expectation. I want to see a lot more like this one in the future. The Determination Tee is available in 3 colours in sizes S-XL for €28 (Free Shipping) here.

Free Yourself From The Prototype Tee

I’m not keen on the text in this one, but I do appreciate the sentiment and the design is again very sparing, I’d focus more on making the image express an idea rather than “backing it up” with a slogan, however it’s still a very cool idea. The Free Yourself from the Prototype Tee is available at €35 (Free Shipping) each in 3 colours here.

Full Face Tee

Loving the vector stylings in this design, a beautiful use of line and sparingly laid out for maximum contrast. I prefer it in black as it really does stand out a treat. The Full Face Tee is available in black and white for men (€28) and women (€30) in all sizes (Free Shipping).

I’m sure that Arteefact will think I’ve been a little harsh, but if I can steer them in a more eco-friendly direction now, it could spell the difference between survival and even failure as a brand and the chance of breaking into a far wider market and growing a cult following into something big, at least in the indie t-shirt world. Anyway… take a look for yourself and make your own minds up at www.arteefact.com.

Lifestyle World

Thursday, 5 August 2010