Swank is a classy gentlemen’s publication and this is one Swanky tee.
Taken from the DJ booth at the infamous Penthouse Night Club in Vancouver. Authentic Strip Club DJ pit stains. No Photoshop miracles here!
The evolution of the Swank logo:
Former teenage “bad girl” appears on this vintage t-shirt bought at a Saint Catherine’s sex shop in Montreal, sometime in the 90’s. Tracy Lord’s iconic image gets the full-on DIY, photocopied and cut-up treatment, in a glorious high contrast black and white print. No gloss here, just cheap, easy n’ sleazy.
I found this in a pack of discarded photos at a bus stop on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, circa 2003. Image kinda speaks for itself…
What the hell was I doing at a bus stop? Waiting for the bus, of course!
This was the very first Some Product sales trip, my license was suspended, budget nonexistent, so I took the dreaded BUS, samples and a catalogue in tow. Huge props to Shabon on Beverly Blvd. for being the first store to ever place an order with Some Product. Now it’s primarily an excellent vintage store ,and I still try to stop in whenever I am in LA. You never really forget your first, I guess…
Combines two great American obsessions – Christianity and Coca Cola. Great graphic. Bought at a random highway gas station in Texas for 3 bucks.
Yep….. thats what he owed in taxes in the 90’s!!! and, he payed it off!!
This amazing Willie tee from around 1980 is from our pals over at Mintage in Vancouver. Thanks to Skylar for lending me the tee!
20th century’s most hated tyrant, gets a Nu Rave make over, complete with hip hop “Kanye” shades on this insane and amazing example of a street t-shirt graphics from Bangkok. Seeing as Thailand was quite removed from the events and horrors of WW2, Hitler is usually depicted in the same way, as say, Marilyn, Che or The Sex Pistols, basically just another pop culture image.
One of my favorite bands of all time and one of my favorite tees.
This killer N.W.A. tee came from a trade for a pair of blue shell toe Adidas years ago. Who cares about the shell toes anyway!!
Teenage Millionaire. Killer design, style, humor and a massive inspiration. I saw these guys’ stuff at a tradeshow when Some Product was just a glint in my eye, and was instantly in love.
I am a huge fan of 80’s graphics and particularly the many uses of THE GRID. It basically makes everything look like Tron.
Fiorucci, is a super fun and sassy fashion label out if Italy. It was very active in it’s heyday in the 70’s and into the 80’s. This tee has been a favorite since it mysteriously appeared in my possession years ago.
