The fashion world has spun its revolving door again bringing back the retro silk screen printing style that we call, “the graphic tee.”

And while my headline was partially inspired by my recent golfing sesh yesterday evening, this is one trend that did not pop up over night.

In fact ladies, it was in the late 1960s that a group of men altered the traditional t-shirt, impacting the fashion arena  for decades to come. Richard Ellman, Robert Tree, Bill Kelly, and Stanley Mouse set up the Monster Company in California, to produce fine art designs expressly for t-shirts, often featuring emblems and motifs associated with the Grateful Dead and marijuana culture (and it was possibly these same motifs that were the catalysts for their ‘visionary’ ideas!).

Now, this once ‘middle-class fashion’ style is back for Spring 2009 and tops everyone’s ‘must-have’ list in the industry.

One New York writer and print designer comments on this evolution from rundown to runway, “The more we look around the easier it is to notice that graphic tees are making a huge comeback into mainstream clothing trends and have managed to work their way up to the level of high fashion. Famous celebrities such as Naomi Campbell have been photographed during their daily routines wearing these graphic tees.”

Barbara Hulanicki and BeBe have even teamed up to release a gorgeous collection of graphic tees and accessories.

Barbara Hulanick truly understands the cyclical nature of fashion eras as one of the most iconic fashion designers from the 60’s and 70’s, claiming fame after launching her clothing line, bibi.

So, how would a young fashionista compliment her graphic tee ?  While it may be easy and brainless to pair a hot graphic tee with skinny jeans, please don’t stop there; mix colors and styles.

This look is chic under a form fitting blazer that adds some snazz to a stuffy business meeting or pair with a big scarf and boots for those chillier Spring days.

Whether you select your favorite actress, catch phrase or ‘visionary motif’ to sport on your chest, make sure you have plenty of these graphic tees to express your style this season.

XOXO

Faveur Clothing is a Indie Clothing company started by two brothers who had a crazy idea to design clothing that was more than just unique art and designs,but clothing with Heart, Truth and Faith!

Faveur is tattoos and three-piece suits. Blind to ethnicity and culture. Blind to politics. Blind to socio-economic boundaries. Faveur is the gift of power to the broken – the bridge from weakness to strength. A compass for the crooked roads. Here is what founder James Atwood had to say about his company.

Oligoville:Tell us about your brand and how it is different from the competition.

James: Faveur Clothing is a Indie Clothing company that wanted to design clothing that was more than unique art & designs, but clothing with heart, truth and faith.

Oligoville: How did your career or interest in design begin?

James: I have always been a sucker for great looking and great feeling t shirts. I really felt that it was a great median for the expression of my faith and a style that would also appeal to the masses.

Oligoville: Whom or what inspires your designs?

James: Faveur is a expression of my faith, all of our designs are inspired thru scripture. We bring this to art, using clothing as the canvas. Our goal is to be able to express this and give others the same option as well in a very unique and different way. And for those who don’t have or hold the same, that is totally cool with us. We hope what they get is a sick shirt, polo, hoodie or hat that is Indie, and in some way speaks about who they are.

Oligoville: Describe a typical day for you.

James: Most days are spent either on the phone, or sending and responding to emails. Daily we try to work on product development, branding and marketing the Faveur line. Except during the summer, we have a intense tour schedule that lasts six to seven weeks.

Oligoville: Describe your fashion style.

James: I keep it simple and comfortable with a baseball cap, blue jeans and a t-shirt. No suits and ties here.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you have learned from that.

James: My brother got married about a year and half ago and decided he needed to step away from the Faveur line. For me I learned you always have to be ready for a curve ball and always have a back up plan for partners or associates who feel that they are at a point to go in a new direction.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

James: The most rewarding part to me would be the people that I get to meet and associate with, the relationships that have been built are unbelievable. With those relationships/friendships over the last several months, I have been able to go and speak to teenagers and young adults with different groups and that has been a real blessing.

Oligoville: Tell us where you see your brand in the next 5 years and what are some of the goals you have for your company.

James: Our long term goal is to make the Faveur line more accessible in boutiques across the country and also more European countries. We are in the process now of expanding the line offering more polo’s, and other apparel options.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for other aspiring entrepreneur?

James: Don’t quit! Also a life quote from JRR Tolkien “All that is gold does not glitter; not all those that wander are lost.”

Oligoville: Which song never fails to make you happy.

Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas

At a quick glance, self-titled Bus Driver (CEO) and clothing designer Rustin Coburn, is a typical surfer-dude. Probe just a bit deeper, and it’s apparent that he’s a whole lot more. He is the soul and inspiration behind DVLP Clothing. DVLP is a Colorado-based company that crafts clothes for men, women, and children. DVLP creates affordable and original t-shirts, hoodies, pants, belts, and hats inspired by outdoor sports such as surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. The founders created DVLP “to not only pay respect to the soul of the sports, but to remain rooted in the philosophical aspects that sometimes go unnoticed.” This is apparent by their collaboration with non-profit and activist groups within their community. Rustin’s experience in the janitorial world and his skills at growing a mustache make him an atypical CEO and person in general.

Oligoville: Describe a typical day in your life.

Coburn: Well, I usually wake up around 8:30 am. I go to the bathroom to drop the kids off at the pool. Then, I eat an apple and check my emails. I am usually working on sales, communicating with our manufacturers, or product development.

At about 10 am I make myself some eggs and toast. Then, I go drop the kids off at the pool again (I have a very consistent schedule).

For the rest of the day I work on whatever needs to get done. Almost every day I have quick meetings with our head Marketing/Product Development manager Noah Price, and our Finance/Warehouse manager Mike Ossell. These guys are the core of DVLP. The three of us do whatever it takes to move the company forward (and have fun doing it).

I usually work until about 11 pm, with a few more breaks for food. I work long hours when I’m in the warehouse … this is so I can give myself time to snowboard, skateboard, and hang out with friends and family.

Oligoville: When did you know that you just had to be a designer?

Coburn: It kinda happened naturally. I’ve always been into art, drawing, painting, sculpting, and just being creative. I was also really into drawing the human form, so I guess that played into it as well.

I grew up skateboarding and snowboarding, and during community college I started a little t-shirt company with some friends in Steamboat Springs, CO called Coular. It was a lot of fun, but we were young and decided to sell it two years later. I really enjoyed the process and forum it gave me to be creative.

Four years later, my good friend Mike and I decided to start designing shirts again. It started growing momentum, and I realized that I had a huge passion for clothing design, I dove into it head first. Our main focus now is designing really good fitting and good feeling apparel. I’m getting really into the denim line we are designing …

Oligoville: What three things got you where you are today?

Coburn:

1. Family and friends!!!!

2. Always having a positive outlook on life.

3. A commitment to never giving up.

Oligoville: On a typical day, describe what you’re wearing and where you found it.

Coburn: Almost everything I wear is from DVLP Clothing. I usually wear jeans and a t-shirt, and the rest of my dressing decisions are based on what the temperature is outside. I’m pretty simple, but I only wear stuff that has a slim long fit to it. I guess I wear dress shirts a lot as well.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

Coburn: Study the business side of the industry, and have a plan. Never give up on your dreams …. Winners never quit, and quitters never win. If what you are doing is not selling, then it is time for a new plan … not time to give up.

Oligoville: What do you do to kick back, relax, and let loose?

Coburn: Eat food. Hang out with friends. Spend time with girls or my girlfriend (if I have one at the time). Go dancing. Snowboarding. Skateboarding. Surfing (when I get to do it … I love it sooo much). I listen to a lot of music too.

Oligoville: If you could dress any celebrity, who would it be and why?

Coburn: Never thought about that … ummmmm … maybe Audrey Tautou or Barack Obama.

Oligoville: If you were not a designer, what would you be?

Coburn: Maybe a writer, but definitely something creative. I would love to just snowboard for a living, but I got broke off really bad four years ago. Plus, I’m getting a little too old.

Oligoville: What superpower would you like to have and why?

Coburn: I would love to be able to fly … Then again, I was having a conversation the other day about how amazing it would be to be able to speak every single language in the world. Think about all that you could accomplish … communication is such a powerful tool.

Oligoville: When did you last laugh out loud?

Coburn: Probably an hour ago. Laughing is one of the healthiest things you can do.

The by-line for DVLP is CREATE. INSPIRE. EVOLVE. MOVEFORWARD. As the Bus Driver of DVLP, Rustin has done all four of these things. After speaking with Rustin and seeing how he uses his creativity to combine community, social awareness, art, and nature, I too feel inspired to do just a bit of the same.

Skulls with wings and brides with knifes comprise the eclectic, sinister, and artistic designs of Brandon Holley. Holley is the founder and designer of the Los Angeles based company BranVille Clothing. A musician and artist, he blended his passions to bring BranVille to fruition in 2006. Bran Ville crafts t-shirts and sweatshirts that range in price from $60 – $100. As evidenced in their designs, BranVille is an “alternative driven line that isn’t afraid to push the limits.” As a designer and individual, Brandon is not afraid to push the limits or to spend all day hanging with monkeys.

Oligoville: Describe your target customer.

Holley: “The Artistic, the Adventurous, and the Individual.” People that like to party and people who like to have a good time!

Oligoville: What inspires your designs?

Holley: Life in general. Everything around me is a huge inspiration. I also draw inspiration from old horror films, otter pops, aliens, creepy carnivals, vampires, music, and Lil Wayne.

Oligoville: How have your designs evolved since the start of your company?

Holley: I started a clothing company called Your Mannequin in 2004. It mainly consisted of band-merch looking shirts. I was just doing it because I was in a band at the time. The designs really weren’t that complex. I started Bran Ville because my art completely changed and it needed a new face and image.

Oligoville: What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Holley: Seeing my favorite bands wear my clothing across the country on national tours is absolutely insane. I am very proud of that and still get chills every time someone walks on stage wearing my shirt. I still freak out when I see someone I don’t know wearing my clothing or when my friends call and tell me they see someone wearing my stuff.

My biggest accomplishment is being twenty-one and living my dream. Most kids my age are in school or working a 9 to 5 job they hate. I know I am blessed with what I get to wake up and do everyday.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected set backs you have faced since starting your business and what you have learned from that.

Holley: Well starting a business at sixteen years old in high school isn’t easy. I knew money was going to be an issue. I expected that to set me back. When you are that young you want to spend all your money on your product and not on actually building an official business the legal way. Flipping signs on corners and finding odd jobs here and there helped me raise enough money to buy a screen press and start my company.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for other aspiring designers out there?

Holley: Create what you love and have faith in. If you are determined, you will go far. It’s so easy to give up with a million other companies out there but finding your own niche is key. Also just have fun and don’t take your self too seriously.

Oligoville: Name three things you cant live without?

Holley: Ice cream, music, and Nike dunks

Oligoville: The fashion police would give you a ticket for …

Holley: Wearing too much bling. I love gold and silver. Watches, rings, and chains are mandatory every day.

Oligoville: You would love a one-way airline ticket to ….

Holley: The rain forests in South America. Hanging out with monkeys and climbing trees all day would be pretty amazing.

Oligoville: Who is your favorite style icon?

Holley: Lil Wayne and Nikki Sixx.

Oligoville: If you were not a designer, what would you be?

Holley: I’d be playing in a band again.

Oligoville: If Hollywood made a movie about you, who would play you?

Holley: Shia LaBeouf. He has evolved over the years and now is on top of the world.

BranVille is planning numerous events and parties in Los Angeles in the New Year so check back for updates. BranVille is soon releasing a line of completely hand made pieces. From the head of a woman on the body of a snake to the Mother Mary spreading her embrace, Brandon Holley is just beginning to show the fashion world designs that push the envelope.