Possible T-Shirt designs.

[antony 0]

Hey Guys (and Girls).

I work in tourism, and my hours are going to get cut over the winter to 4 days a week. So...I'm looking to start up a clothing company. Seriously. I want to start by getting some T-Shirts made, properly with embroided tags etc...

I'm currently throwing ideas around.

Labels I wear often are Insight, Obey, Zoo York, Imaginary Foundation, etc. I want to be in this market.

Although if you wear any surf/skate/snow labels I'm very interested what you think.

Also, If you know about getting printing done on T-Shirts and embroidery etc... I'm very interested to talk to you, I have learnt quite a lot, but still a lot of questions to be asked.

So far it's called "skate punk". From when I was in my friends shop and a guy came in with no teeth, wearing all leather and started going on about how it was such a skate punk store, then proceeded to do Nazi salute 3 times whilst yelling 'skate punk' 3 times, a bit of an in joke, but all I can come up so far, and what I'm baseing ideas around at the moment.

Although I dont plan on designing anything 'skate' or 'punk', so I am definately open to ideas for a brand name.

***WARNING***

I am serious about this, and if you dont give an F or dont have anything constructive to say, please dont.

My first final design, constructive criticism encouraged...

E: just cut the person out, the guy was in canadian tuxedo (denim jacket and jeans ) pondering, but I took this picture in Auckland whilst just walking along, and I shouldn't have the guy in their without his permission. I do like it like this also.

I'll update this as I come up with new stuff.

Many thanks

Antony.

Edited February 23, 2010 by antony

[pjay 8]

Read up on ABC - Chey Ataria's baby which has really taken off. And VicNZ also. Most recent NZ skate/coolwear brands

http://blog.abccuz.com/

And Huffer - Dan Buckley and Steve Dunstan. They've really made it into the market. (as you would know) (:

[bravo 35]

Sweet, lol.

I have quite a bit of Halfpast stuff but haven't bought any lately. rediscovered Kuta Lines which I used to really like when I was a teen, and so recently bought some shirts etc. Also as fourfontaine is owned by an old school friend of mine and based in Kerikeri (check out where the star is on the NZ map on their nzmap tee-shirts and early logos), I have alot of that. I would hazard a guess that fourfontaine was probably one of the early success stories in NZ streetwear that kickstarted alot of the stuff you see nowadays.

There's heaps of competition out there and it's a hard market to break into. Talk to Apex about his business (he's in the clothing business, but different market so may not be a conflict of interest). He may be able to source you some base product and arrange some of the printing/embroidery.

Good Luck - if you're serious you're in for some hard work!

[Mark 178]

I like the design, but I question how well that photograph will turn out once printed on a t-shirt. Perhaps if you stylised it more?

Also, get controversial with it too. Put a Nazi soldier in full SS uniform on a skateboard and chuck that on a shirt!

[HaNs 226]

Done a business plan yet?

Done a budget?

Who's going to rep it for you?

Fashion is quite a fickle industry at the best of times. Seen friends have a go at it and fail.

I think this day in age less focus in on the actual brand name and more focus is put on the marketing and design side of things. I do believe the HUFFER name was conceived while stoned haha

That designs will have done via a heat press, no problem in doing it but a little more expensive.

If you need any help finding reliable screen printers give me a yell.

Edited February 23, 2010 by HaNs

[Mattzy 0]

I've got zero experience in running businesses. However, I am massively into that kind of clothing, footwear, etc

My comments:

Your brand name seems locked into one audience. If I were making a clothing label I'd make sure that although it had a target market, the name would be able to cover a broader spectrum of people. Kind of like the Federation, LWR and Huffer already mentioned.

Get good designs. Get a blog. Update it regularly with content.

Advertise with friends, sponsor local surfing/skating/drifting/filmmakers/photographers free gear if they put your brand over their work (I strongly believe in Viral and alternate marketing), have a COOL, simple and easily navaigatable website / ecommerce system, be nichey, fresh and original.

As for the design, the concept is cool but looks a tad generic. Also, the colours either need to go one of two ways. Punch that saturation up or half it again for that de-saturated look. ATM it looks stuck in the middle. Needs sharpening too..

Budget and Business plan as Hans said..

Best of luck!

Matt

Edited February 23, 2010 by Mattzy

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

Although I dont plan on designing anything 'skate' or 'punk', so I am definately open to ideas for a brand name.

If you are aiming to become a known and recognised label then the brand image is the most important thing, having a name which points to a specific style / fashion would be very risky if the actual clothes were NOT for that market. Seriously would suggest you identify what market you are aiming to sell to and then develop a name and brand image that locks into that.

Having experienced the original Punk movement first hand, I still find it odd that people associate punks with Nazi's, while the imagery was used (German helmets / uniforms / swastikas) to shock people and create a reaction, the whole politcal ethos behind Punk was extreme socialism, claiming things for the people. Listen to the lyrics on God Save The Queen and Anarchy In The Uk, not exactly Nazi anthems are they??

Back to the point, the T-shirt design is good, only suggestion would be to increase the size of the cut out person to make it stand out - possibly another colour than white - or would it be the colour of the T-shirt coming through?

Good luck with the venture, even if you don't become the next Huffer, you can still make a decent living at it.

[DRTDVL 0]

Also please don't do what my favorite brand did, complete change design style and target audience.

The old Tattoo\Rockabilly style of Illicit rocked and i know they have lost a lot of old customers when they changed their style to the new NEON colors, and thug wear.

If you are going to change your style of clothing or think you will just be aware you might piss off a lot of customers who like the look at and style of your clothes.

[bravo 35]

Got a chip there Heath? Nice rant BTW

[DRTDVL 0]

YUP!

it was kinda relevant so yeah... marketing/customer base and etc...

really hate the neon clothes and tight jeans look.

Edited February 23, 2010 by DRTDVL

[antil33t 90]

Neon Colours.... and Thug Wear?

DNW.

I really hate neon colours...

Nice work so far Antony, You'll work something out.

[Wom 0]

I think it's a good start, but I reckon a logo should be a lot more simple ... the colour parts I think have way too much detail

just my opinion

[jjs 64]

Skate Punk sounds like a rip off of Golf Punk

Good idea, but very hard work!

[antony 0]

Read up on ABC

Yip, along with Chop - from wanaka, met the creator the other day, but have watched it grow up as I have a lot of friends from there.

Similar with Lower, when I was at Uni had quite a few friends from Tauranga wearing it, Now its everywhere.

put them next to Huffer and Federation (which have now gone more upmarket, but had similar beginnings) and you can quickly see what New Zealand brands sell.

One of the things I'm learning is that you cant associate yourself specifically with any sport, its all about making cool good quality lifestyle clothing. Also a similar theme with the international brands I like.

Done a business plan yet?

Done a budget?

Who's going to rep it for you?

I think this day in age less focus in on the actual brand name and more focus is put on the marketing and design side of things. I do believe the HUFFER name was conceived while stoned haha

That designs will have done via a heat press, no problem in doing it but a little more expensive.

If you need any help finding reliable screen printers give me a yell.

Mums an accountant lol, so it kind of runs in the family. I'm a planning freak lol. But my goal is not to loose money, But I'd rather not make any than make a sh*t product.

Have a few friends in retail, with friends in retail/reps, so shouldn't be a problem getting it into a few shops.

But initially I would do a low production run, to test it, and for samples.

Marketing. O how I love marketing. Check out Insight's marketing campaign. There is so much freedom, I'm really looking forward to it. But it would all depend on how my first run went.

I dont do drugs, but have been told I'd make millions if I did, as my friends think my ideas/thoughts are out of it when they are on them.

I've got zero experience in running businesses. However, I am massively into that kind of clothing, footwear, etc

My comments:

Your brand name seems locked into one audience. If I were making a clothing label I'd make sure that although it had a target market, the name would be able to cover a broader spectrum of people. Kind of like the Federation, LWR and Huffer already mentioned.

Get good designs. Get a blog. Update it regularly with content.

Advertise with friends, sponsor local surfing/skating/drifting/filmmakers/photographers free gear if they put your brand over their work (I strongly believe in Viral and alternate marketing), have a COOL, simple and easily navaigatable website / ecommerce system, be nichey, fresh and original.

As for the design, the concept is cool but looks a tad generic. Also, the colours either need to go one of two ways. Punch that saturation up or half it again for that de-saturated look. ATM it looks stuck in the middle. Needs sharpening too..

Budget and Business plan as Hans said..

Best of luck!

Matt

Thanks, I have no plan on making 'skate' or 'punk' clothing, I have always wondered if it would work. I'm quite set on changing it, just need to think it over.

Yip, generic design, needs to be tho

I think it's a good start, but I reckon a logo should be a lot more simple ... the colour parts I think have way too much detail

just my opinion

The Actual logo would would be a solid colour

Skate Punk sounds like a rip off of Golf Punk

Good idea, but very hard work!

Honestly, If someone is worried their skatepunk t-shirt is going to be confused for a golfpunk polo I dont really care if they dont buy one, not my market. But As I said earlier, I'm quite set on changing the name.

Mark, missed quoting you lol, I refuse do anything controversial (maybe if its a piss take, but later) as I believe it has become cliche, and now almost looks cheap.

How does GREY sound? I mean if the clothing wasn't bland lol. Bit of a play grey being dull, but not having dull clothing. And working off the whole Greymouth thing, without stating it anymore than that tho, as no one expects anything cool to come out of Greymouth hahaha.

Thanks for all the positive feedback and help guys

Edited February 24, 2010 by antony

[HaNs 226]

Check out Insight's marketing campaign.

More details?

[RvT 9]

Grey is nice play on words.

For screen printing I would recommend this company

http://www.screenconcepts.co.nz/

I play soccer with the owner, Mark, and he is a great guy. He is Chc based and would be happy to offer experience etc. He started from home some 20 years ago and now has a great setup

[antony 0]

Here. Note, some are not work safe. All shots are not photoshoped!

Here's the latest, using 'grey', now worried it sounds like 'obey' Although its not that big in NZ.

E: Thanks RVT

Edited February 24, 2010 by antony

[pjay 8]

Oh, and like ABC have done. Keep your roots!

Kiwis love that sh*t.

[Lucan 196]

/\ This .

I have many ABC Tees because of the NZ specific content

[_BRS_ 209]

I don't know too much personally. But a guy i know through snowboarding who is a local guy here in New Plymouth started his own label called "FROJOL"

This all started about 5 years ago as he wanted something for himself and mates to wear. All his tees are hand printed so each tee is different in a way.

In the last few months he has had to put his label on the back burner as he acquired a job working for RPM as Head male designer (or something similar).

His websites been put on hold, but there is a facebook page here...FROJOL

[39KiwiTouring 2]

What happened to the Nazi soluting punk's teeth?

[antony 0]

Someone probably knocked them out for being a douche.

Another pet hate of mine is NZ theme'd clothing. Like "born here" and "I huffer NZ", to corny for me. But it sells. Also dislike the store "global culture".

[Kaz 64]

What if you related the colour grey to the image some how?