After a short abscence, I'm happy to say that our friends and sponsors designgive are back online and have resumed kicking ass. They've got a few new designs from some great artists including Matt Owens, Si Scott and Jenna Ebanks, topped off with great prices and of course the option to contribute a portion of the sale to a charity of your choice (from the list provided). Ahh, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.
Here's a nice tshirt for a great cause. From the press release:
Diego Mosco, a graphic designer who has spent years creating graphics for underground cult label Supreme has created a limited edition t-shirt for the Re*Generation charity art auction to further promote awareness of the homeless youth crisis. The 100% cotton t-shirt is emblazoned with a bold three-color, pop art-inspired print depicting a spark setting off an explosion - illustrating the way in which small acts of giving can set off greater movements of positive change.
The environment - it's a big issue at the moment, and, well, let's be honest, if you aren't recycling, reducing, reusing or off-setting something it's about time you pulled your head in and your finger out before you wake up one warm winters day choking on a cloud of smoke with a pile of rubbish outside your window.
Anyway, today is Blog Action Day and this years theme is the environment. If you want to learn a bit more about the environment and how to save it I'd recommend looking at one of the other 15 squillion blogs that are participating, as I don't want to get too preachy, and I'm sure that others have much more wisdom to share.
My advice however is to not underestimate the difference you can make. One of the best ways to contribute to any cause is to raise awareness - if you can get 5 people to change their attitudes, actions or contribute in some way, you've done a great job, and hopefully they in turn will pass it on to 25 people and so on.
Here are some sweet shirts that I've found that look great, tell people you have an enviromental conscience, and can help trigger interest and spark conversation.
Ok, so this particular shirt is out of stock, but Tobi has a great range of eco-friendly labels so you can revel in consumerist conservation.
Ban t-shirts have a range of shirts with environment-themed designs including this anti GMO one, that comes printed on an organic shirt. Delicious.
The perennial classic and perhaps one of the best logos of all time (different versions available in different countries - this one comes from Canada and is made of organic cotton).
Lifelounge has launched the 22 Flavours project, utilising the skills of the "who's who" of the art and design world to create a stunning range of limited edition tees. 22 artists were each given a flavour as a theme and the results are fantastic. Even more impressive is that proceeds from the sale are being donated to help the homeless. There is only 22 of each design printed, so if you want one be quick - they may sell out as fast as Rage Against The Machine tickets.
I've got a bit of a soft spot for companies that combine fresh graphics with a social conscience, whether it be by promoting or donating to worthy causes. The Share Peace Initiative is a new company based in Sydney, who donate 10% of all their t-shirt sales to organisations supporting peace iniatives around the world, inlcluding Kiva, Oxfam and Peace Child to name but a few.
The first offering from The Share Peace Initiative got sent to me for a review, and it is entitled Electro Evolution (available in mens and womens sizes). Apparently it is targeted at electro fans due to the "tremendous popularity of electronic music and the vibrant and quirky fashion sense of its devotees," but it is currently hard to tell if future offerings will follow the same path.
That aside, the design of the shirt is quite striking, and indeed would definitely look in place on the dancefloor at 3am on a sunday morning. The print is large and eyecatching and the juxtaposition of the electronic and organic matter in the design makes for an interesting composition. The typeface could be better but it does the job. The only downside in my opinion is the colour of the print - it is very pink, and unfortunately that will probably turn a lot of guys (and maybe some girls) off. But if you're down with pink, electronic music and helping people out you can't go wrong with this t.
The shirt itself is a midweight 100% cotton shirt, nice and soft and seems to be quite well made. It fits well, slim, but not so slim that you have to be tall and skinny for it to look good - it's just right.
While this shirt won't do it for everyone, it definitely has niche appeal. I'm still not sure why a company promoting peace has ended up promoting dance music, but it will be interesting to see what direction this fledgling label takes. Share Peace will be releasing a new shirt monthly, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
RRP $30 (Australian)
BUY IT HERE
PS - if you have any shirts you would like reviewed drop me an email
Designgive are having a crazy sale - everything is $10 including hoodies and they are still giving $1 from each sale to a charity that you get to choose. To top it off they have released the brand new limited edition designgive shirt - Global Saturation. It's available in guys short sleeve only and will only be printed once! Oh the delightful rarity. But it's only on for 3 days so be fast.
Naive have some really nice shirts, and best of all they fall in to the "affordable" category (my favourite). Being nice kids they donate a bit of money from each sale to assorted charities. At the moment if you buy any of their shirts you will also get free access to download some tunes from bands that you may or may not like. These include Anberlin, Sherwood and bunch of others that are on Naive's sponsorship roster. Looks like Hydro 74 has been helping them out with some of their newer stuff too.
Designgive is a great new site that gives designers an oppurtunity to promote their work and contribute to charities as well. Some great designers are on the initial roster including Brooke Nunez, Scott Bartlett, Sauerkids and Si Scott (who seems to be doing everything at the moment).
If you buy one of the shirts, long sleeve ts, or a hoody are able to choose from a list of charities and a donation from each purchase will be made on your behalf. Additionally, if you are a designer you can get involved in the project too. Oh, the prices are good too.
Seen at: joshspear.com
