T-Shirt Alert: Threadless Collaborates with Gap

Yes. That's correct. Chicago's own Threadless has collaborated with mainstream retailer, Gap!

If you're unfamiliar with the brand, Threadless is an online community - with the exception of its two local retail locations - known for providing artists the opportunity to bring their designs to life on t-shirts, backpacks, iPhone cases and more. Users submit their designs, which are then in the hands of the community. Based on votes, Threadless determines if the design will go into production. Artists are compensated and consumers get an ever changing selection of customized merchandise. Brilliant concept, right?

The Threadless + Gap collaboration, which includes designs by international artists from Canada to Indonesia, takes the exact same democratic process and makes it available to an even wider audience. Now, consumers can visit their local Gap store to see the designs up close and try on the super soft cotton tees that will have you wanting to head towards the register with at least two in hand.

Last week, Gap and Threadless hosted a soiree for press to check out the newly-launched collection. Music, food and drinks were in abundance while attendees shopped both the Threadless collection and the new Spring goodies Gap had in store.

I walked away with the Love You and So Into You tees. Both of these have a sentimental theme, which is completely in contrast with the more humorous men's designs I favored: Pyramid Scheme (displays an actual pyramid screaming "Gimme All Your Money!") and Born for the Job (shows a block of cheese holding up a camera while telling his subject to "Say My Name").

Unlike the regular Threadless tees, the Gap collaboration designs are gender specific. So unfortunate. My fingers are crossed that Gap will make each of the designs available to everyone. I mean, a girl could use that Car Audio tee in her life!

Click HERE to view the entire collection. Then, let me know which t-shirt is your personal favorite.


*Threadless + Gap will introduce new shirts in late Spring. Enter your own design(s) to be considered for the next round (submissions close on March 19, 2012).
**Special thanks to Bethany Allen and Threadless for the invite and complimentary t-shirt.