M Craft – Lucille from Silver and Fire
This week I chatted with Lucas from the excellent Rubberfish about the label and their plans for the future. For anyone who hasn’t seen Rubberfish they have some great designs but didnt offer international shipping. I asked them why and they came back and said that not only would they offer it they’d even throw in a $10 coupon code for HipHipUk readers! I like the use of bold graphics, the story that accompanies each design and strictly limited quantities. The prices aren’t the cheapest but you get what you pay for, with the $10 code and fact I’m starting to see more and more people in Threadless T’s on the bus Rubberfish are a welcome alternative.
About Rubberfish
“Rubberfish is an indie fashion factory of one. It was started in early
2006 and is based out of Chicago, USA. All of the pieces are printed by
hand and limited to an edition of 100.
Rubberfish starves to be a source of inspiration to the people that
wear and view our products. Each shirt has a story which attempts to
answer the question, “What does it mean to be _________ (insert human
emotion/characteristic)” The stories are printed on the inside of the
shirt and signed by the artist–meaning NO text on the outside of the
shirt … EVER!”
Highlights from the Collection
Corporate Men Strike
About the design
In the sixties women of America fought for equal rights–now women are paid 50%-70% of what men in the same position make. What if the tables were suddenly turned? What if you go to work today and every CEO were a woman and every assistant were a man? Would the men kick and scream? Would they whine and suck on their lolli or would they strike and threaten to torch the joint?
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Tree of Life
Here I am, at my favorite spot, 10 minutes to/from downtown where the four worlds unite under the shade of this lone tree. A place where I can spend
some quality time listing to Mr. cricket free styling. I collect my thoughts here and wait for that moment of enlightenment, like sir Isaac Newton or
Lord Buddha.
About the Store
Location: Chicago, USA
Contact: lucas@rubberfishinc.com
Products: M/F T’s, poster, cards on the way
Price: $34 (£18, EUR 26) a tee, T’s limited to 100 a design
Promotion: $10 off if you enter using this url
Q&A
Whats your favourite t-shirt site and why?
I would say that are so many great sites out there and great designers that it is hard to choose. IndieShopper.com is probably one of my favorite sites to visit because they feature all independent designers and unlike many of the other online consignment sites, they actually give the designers a respectable percentage of the sales.
Can you talk me through your favourite rubberfish design, the inspiration, style etc?
One of my designs by rubberfish is the Cut Shaving tee. The inspiration for this shirt was a documentary on Jesus. I have always been fascinated with the relationship between art history and Christianity—and how art helped define or brand an entire faith through iconography, symbolism, and imagery. Stylistically I tried to mix bold graphics that were both modern and retro inspired. I used a silhouette of the typical hipster hair and goatee with a vintage razor blade. I was really happy with the final outcome of this tee, I think it has a nice mix of Emo Rock and Historical reference. Here is the story that is printed on the interior of the shirt: “Over two thousand years ago, a Jewish man began an underground religion and claimed to be the son of God. Jesus was forbidden to shave by sacred law, but if he were to shave would he too cut himself with the razor. Feeling the hurt of a self inflicted wound in morning for five straight days?â€
What do you have planned for the future of the brand?
Next I hope to get Rubberfish into some smaller boutique stores throughout the US and Europe. I am currently working on the next line of tees that will come out at the end of the Summer or early this Fall. Also this Fall Rubberfish will begin selling greeting cards and stationary which like our tees will be limited to small editions and printed by hand. I really don’t what the future hold for this brand, but I look forward to the journey.
