Hello Cottonable, Goodbye Tshirt island [part one]
Cottonable is the new Tshirt island, yes it is. I'm talking about name (as a "blog/website title") and the domain name. From now on, you can call Tshirt island as Cottonable and type in in your url navigation as www.cottonable.com (or without "www" if you're too lazy) instead of tshirtisland.blogspot.com I hope this change won't upset anyone; if it is, I'm terribly sorry. Tshirt island's web pages will be automatically directed to Cottonable's pages, all of them (by right!). So, you don't have to worry about any broken link if you bookmarked any Tshirt island's page on the past. I have no any particular reason the change, I just need shorter (and sweet) blog name. It will still be about T-shirts design and ideas, from the same bloggers: myself and MJ. Feel free to comment on the new name, but please don't complaint. Okay, just kidding.
The new Hide Your Arms' T-shirt Blogs List, it's Huge
Although the list is not as glamorous as Forbes' richest persons list, Hide Your Arms (HYA) T-shirt blog list is one important list I really couldn't miss. It basically lists, inclusively, all T-shirt blogs or websites around the world that's openly accessible to anyone of us. Earlier November last year, the super-hardworking Andy of HYA discovered 65 blogs and websites for the list. Today's list shows that number of tee related blogs and websites are actually lots more than previous finding. Some blogs are pretty good slacker while others are very active. Half of them, I've never heard before. I will find out soon, anyway. Whether you're casual shopper, T-shirt enthusiast, or person involved in T-shirt business, HYA list should be on your bookmark watch. If you're a T-shirt blogger yourself, you might have enough reading this blog and start writing your new entries before someone else does! image by Bojan Sokolovic'
From My Point of View, the 3D Design Trends
The term of 3D (three-dimensional) imaging is not new for many of us. It was invented in 1840 but its most notable use is to create depth illusion in a photograph or movie. In other cases, some tee shirt designer has taken it to another level by applying the 3D imaging to printed image on T-shirts. Below are some good examples on 3D experimental designs: Let's start from the simplest ones: Sixpack's tee based on multi-layered black dots [link] and 410BC's typographical-slogan design on v-neck tee [link]  
3D tees in vintage style? You can see the examples on Gremlin tee [link] and Japanese-scene art by Heavy Rotation [link]
 
Should 3D effect be applied on to complex graphic or minimalist ones? You can see the comparison on two designs below: Tiger tiger tiger [link] and 2K by Gingham's tee [link]
 
These ones, by Dissizit, really blow me up. Especially the two black tees, whose printed graphics are from photograph which "pulled-in" with double blue-red layers. Plus, the shirts come with fresh pair of 3D glasses. Left to right: 3D Heidi Loves La Coka [link], The 3D Smoking Skull [link] and The 3D 36D Tee [link]   
Dominating purple-on-white T-shirt by White Bread for DBH may not look "too 3D" from far, but it is from the closer look [link]. Meanwhile on the right side, how 3D trick works on massive illustration by James Callahan[link]  
Finally, 3D-look tee shirt is not always about having multi layered blue-red prints but (most importantly) it's about idea. You have to agree with me once you look at Ron Lewis' tee below [link]
  What do you think about 3D look tee shirt? Is it out-of-trend or "good-looking in right circumstances"?
Alphabet Arm: Logos for Bands, Shirts for You
  Alphabet Arm Design is a studio creating logos, packaging, merchandise and more for the music industry. Some of their work, like their iconic design for Counting Crows, has gained a lot of praise from industry critics. But shaping the visual identity of bands isn't enough for these guys- they also want to make shirts for everyone else. The result is a quirky collection of apparel, with designs that alternately draw on the firm's musical experience and show that their design abilities aren't limited to that melodic realm. Stereo Schematic definitely speaks to the music junkies, while Giant Squid draws in a new audience. I'm particularly impressed with their more blatantly promotional shirts- ABC Factory looks great on the shirt, despite being a logo tee, and their mascot Arno the Alphabet Armadillo makes for a fantastic character-based shirt.
Erosty Pop, the Lowbrow-Art Merchandise of Rockin' JellyBean
Supported by Gatrac Sales in Tokyo and Pacific Marketing Works, masked artist Rockin' Jelly Bean (RJB) started Erosty Pop in 1998. The clothing label that is based in Los Angeles, is used as vehicle for RJB to extent its lowbrow art scene through wearable merchandise as medium.
Not to mention that sex sells, but it's been RJB specialist since its first public appearance in 1997; in which he famous as both talented graphic artist and mysterious character with custom-made Mexican wrestling mask. The name "erosty" itself suggest that RJB artworks are deeply inspired by what it's called "an alternate reality of mesmerizing little girls" and fantasy of sexploitation. That not all though. Erosty Pop collection also includes tees featuring designs of quirky, Frankenstein-like monster character called phantom. Erosty Pop tees are mainly distributed through stockists' which the full list available on its website. Alternatively, you can buy online on stores such as 80spurple and Bobizzo. Rockin' Jelly Bean website can be found here.
With ShirtsforCoders, Your Dress Code is Always Semantically Correct
Having worked on administering Tshirt island, ie. get my hand dirty on technical sides such as changing the layout, adding few features, etc.; I understand how fun (and frustrating sometime) it is to deal with computer languages required for such tasks. ShirtsforCoders understand that. That's why it represents geeky tee collection that is dedicated to people whose jobs (or hobbies) requires them to dive into coding works in any way. It might be hard to understand what is so funny about these tees if you're not on the field, especially since ShirtforCoders only literally throws out jokes via punny intended slogan with almost no graphical aspect, except for Web Standard and I heart CSS tee so far. But once you're on it, as ShirtforCoders says: you know that your dress code is always semantically correct. Thanks to Damien van Holten for the suggestion
T-shirt Design Competition Cameesa Gives back to Supporters
In many ongoing T-shirt design competitions, like Threadless or Design by Humans, voters of the submitted designs are usually the most involved members of the community. They vote (indeed), comment, give some critics and even help participating artists to promote their submission by spreading the words. In the end, they are more than happy to get their favorite designs printed while make some new friends along the way. Cameesa on the other hand, offer more than that. Supporter, that's how voter is called in Cameesa, is asked to be more involved in competition. I'm not fully understand the rules, but from explanation on Cameesa's FAQs page, it would be something like this: Supporters can find submission that they want to wear, and support them with 1 to 50 parts. The "part" can be obtained by making a payment (via credit card) or using their Cameesa balance. If supported design wins, supporters will get the a shirt, regardless of the amount their put for the support. Furthermore, when the tee is printed, they get: 1) get a limited edition version of the T-shirt and 2) earn $0.03 every time it's sold on the website -- per share owned. For instance, if I support a design by buying one part, the first T-shirt sale of the design will put $0.03 into my balance. That sounds a little bit like a number-game but the rebate is quite attractive actually, especially if you pick on the right submission. There are only a handful of submissions currently, but the quality is good. For instance, image that you see above is a submission by (username) csj89 entitled Forbidden Kiss.
Can See but Cannot Buy at Madson Discount Interactive Online Shop
Italian indie tee label, Madson Discount has a quite entertaining, interactive online shop you couldn't afford to miss. The website is decorated in way that it look like your neighborhood's supermarket selling all fresh and juicy daily needs. Not only to entertain its visitors, Madson Discount also uses its website to showcase a creative packaging of its products; you can't imagine (once you make a purchase) receiving a gable top carton with your T-shirt order inside. Unfortunately, the online shop (where you can make an online purchase) isn't available yet even after months since first visited the website -- a little unfortunate for those who really. I suspect that Madson Discount only use its website as online catalog for promotional purpose, while sells its product elsewhere (perhaps through physical store or stockist); otherwise it's too busy milking up the next tee collection. via Elmanco, more pictures from Madson Discount below
 
Fabrikade Introduces Singapore Local Labels to Worldwide Audiences
 
Fabrikade is Singapore-based online store which was established by a team of 3 to showcase few local (I'll go little bit more on this later) and US clothing labels. While US indie labels such as Oddica and Resist Today are stocked to attract shoppers, Farbrikade long term focus is actually to introduce the local labels to international audiences.
There are currently two tee local labels on the catalog, Hooked clothing and Inky, beside some other non-tee shirt stuff such as hand crafted-bag, toys and iPod case. Hooked is as premium label tee shirt with custom cut & ultra soft shirt body . The theme it carries with the vintage shirt is geared toward emotion expression portrayed by manipulated, surreal photography art. The girl you see on the image above is wearing Very Angry which is a 100% cotton, stone washed tee which is sold for USD $60 (or $48 for after discount-price).  
Inky, on the other hand, are dedicated to those who are looking for common tee with creative graphic art. Designed by duo Nelson S and Jonathan K, Inky set to roll out some of the creative, elegant graphic tee such as Air Lush and Payback 'Time' (images above). Inky tees are printed on Hanes 5250 Authentic Tagless T.
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