Denim Tears, FELT and More Take a Stand
15 brands launch T-shirts in support of Black Lives Matter.
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The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, among others, have led to many protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Charities, funds and organizations have raised money in aid of various causes supporting social justice, and fashion brands are showing their support as well.
Supreme has donated $500,000 USD to a list of social justice charities, while Brain Dead has collaborated with Dev Hynes on a T-shirt raising over half a million dollars for Black and LGBTQIA+ communities. Independent and small businesses have come together during this time of unrest; A-COLD-WALL* has introduced grants for independent Black-owned businesses, while Babylon LA has produced the “RIGHTS” T-shirt in aid of The Bail Project, which helps release those who have been arrested for protesting.
Many prominent voices in the arts have taken a stand in support of Black Lives Matter this week. Fear of God has teamed up with nine major imprints from NOAH to Off-White™, John Boyega delivered a powerful speech at London’s Black Lives Matter march, and the music industry ignited #BlackoutTuesday.
Independent fashion labels have also taken initiative. Brands such as Denim Tears, Advisory Board Crystals, Online Ceramics and more have paid their respects to the Black community with the release of fundraising T-shirts.
For those looking for a way to offer support, read on for HYPEBEAST’s comprehensive list of T-shirts you can buy to support the Black Lives Matter movement. And of course, if you cannot buy a T-shirt we encourage you to find other ways to stay safe, vocal and informed.
Denim Tears “Cotton Peace” T-shirt
Price: $50 USD
Where to buy: Denim Tears
Tremaine Emory’s label Denim Tears has produced an evocative charity T-shirt dubbed “Cotton Peace,” featuring an image of a man in front of a blazing fire and a quote by the American novelist and activist James Baldwin. All proceeds from Denim Tears’ charity T-shirt will be donated to Know Your Rights Camp, which provides resources for Black and Brown communities, such as defense attorneys for those arrested protesting police brutality.
Payton Slay “The Cops Are Not Your Friends” T-shirt
Price: $25 USD
Where to buy: Payton Slay
The 20-year-old Native American photographer, creative director and designer Payton Slay has released their charitable T-shirt, “The Cops Are Not Your Friends.” The white top sports a police department logo on the front with reworked wording. It retails for $25 USD, with all proceeds donated to bail funds and George Floyd’s memorial service.
Stephen Lurvey “Bad Apples” T-shirt
Where to buy: No Bad Apples
Stephen Lurvey’s “Bad Apples” T-shirt depicts six rotten apples alongside the phrase “Some Jobs Can’t Have Bad Apples.” The graphic sits next to a badge and the words “Defund the Minneapolis Police Department.” One hundred percent of proceeds will be donated to the We Love Lake Street and Reclaim the Block organizations, which aim to help rebuild Minneapolis’ small businesses and defund the Minneapolis police.
Advisory Board Crystals Charity T-shirts
Price: $58 USD
Where to buy: Advisory Board Crystals
Advisory Board Crystals has released a T-shirt in three colors in support of three different organizations. The white shirt aids Reclaim the Block, the black Campaign Zero, and the gray shirt the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. The shirts sport a graphic on the front stating “Such a pretty planet, such an ugly world,” alongside a quote from James Baldwin on the rear. All proceeds will be donated to the respective charities.
One of These Days “Peaceful Revolution” Long-Sleeve T-shirt
Where to buy: One of These Days
LA-based multimedia artist Matt McCormick, who runs the label One of These Days, has produced a limited-edition run of long-sleeved T-shirts, each noting the sizing and edition number. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to 12 charities and organizations through ActBlue, meaning everything from the Black Lives Matter Global Network to Know Your Rights Camp and Campaign Zero will receive an even split.
Freshjive “Black Is Not a Crime” T-shirt
Where to buy: Freshjive
All proceeds from the sale of Freshjive’s “Black Is Not a Crime” shirt will be donated to The Equal Justice Initiative. The organization is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, as well as combating racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights of vulnerable people in the United States.
P.T.M. Foundation “Racism Is for Choads” T-shirt
Price: $25 USD
Where to buy: P.T.M. Foundation
Portugal the Man’s foundation enlisted the artists Wesley James and Austin Sellers to create the “Racism Is for Choads” T-shirt. P.T.M. is known for building community resilience, empathy, and awareness through music, stories, art, and more. One hundred percent of profits from the T-shirt will be used to help bail out George Floyd protestors.
Hypland “Western BLM” T-shirt
Where to buy: Hypland
Black-owned business Hypland has reintroduced its “Western BLM” T-shirt from its 2017 Black History Month collection. The graphic depicts two cowboys firing guns and is accompanied by the brand’s moniker in a fitting Western-style font. All proceeds will be donated to California-based organizations whose mission is to address systemic racism and violence.
MARA “HOT SUMMER NIGHTS” T-shirt
Where to buy: Mara
Sustainably-conscious Glaswegian brand MARA’s “HOT SUMMER NIGHTS” T-shirt also depicts a flaming police car, this time in a photograph. Proceeds will benefit the Black Lives Matter Global Network, which supports movements in the U.K., U.S. and Canada.
Menace Los Angeles T-shirts
Price: $45 USD
Where to buy: Menace
LA-based label Menace has released a trio of T-shirts in aid of the Black Lives Matter movement. First is the “F*ck Donald Trump” T-shirt, which places a photo of the American president alongside the phrase “Public Enemy Number One.” The “No Justice, No Peace” UV-reactive T-shirt combines the imprint’s moniker with a raised fist, and the “Racism Is the Virus” T-shirt sports the aforementioned fist branding as well as the slogan “Racism has killed more hopes, humans, and dreams than any virus in history.” All money raised will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Lives Matter and the Know Your Rights Camp.
FreshGoods “Support Small Businesses” T-shirt
Where to buy: FreshGoods
Although this FreshGoods piece was originally created in response to the coronavirus crisis, its message is still clear. This T-shirt aims to support small Black-owned businesses in Chicago, with proceeds going to Sir & Madame, Soule, The Delta, Everybody’s Busy Coffee, Eleven Eleven and more.
HYPERFLY “The George Floyd” T-shirt
Price: $50 USD
Where to buy: HYPERFLY
HYPERFLY’s customized a Champion jersey pays tribute to George Floyd. On the front, “Floyd” is written in bold collegiate-style lettering, while the rear lists the names of people killed as a result of police brutality in the form of the American flag. This list is joined by the phrases “E pluribus unum” — Latin for “Out of many, one” — and “Brother’s keeper.” All proceeds will be donated to the Gianna Floyd Fund.
Trapstar Black Lives Matter Collection
Where to buy: Trapstar
London-based label Trapstar’s T-shirt and hooded sweatshirt will give to The Black Lives Matter Organization, The Stephen Lawrence Trust and The Official GoFundMe for Belly Mujinga. The pieces are adorned with an image of Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party, and are complete with a Malcolm X-inspired quote from Robert Brown Elliott, who was one of the first African-American members of the United States House of Representatives. Sales go live on June 6.
FELT “F*ck You If You’re Racist” T-shirt
Price: $20 USD
Where to buy: FELT
For Every Living Thing has collaborated with Homebody, A99, DPI, H33M, Intrepid, LBS, BadNews, Hellbound, Khari, 1992 “and everyone against the system,” for its charitable T-shirt. The “F*ck You If You’re Racist” shirt features an anti-fascist graphic on the front alongside a list of statements against racists, the police and fascists. All profits from the $20 USD T-shirt will be forwarded to the National Bail Out fund.
Butter Goods “Gil Scott-Heron Revolution” T-shirt
Price: $42 USD
Where to buy: Butter Goods
Australia’s Butter Goods collaborated with the estate of Gil Scott-Heron for its fundraising T-shirt. The T-shirt pictures Scott-Heron alongside his 1971 poem and song, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” On the reverse side, Butter Goods adds the last hook from the song. Proceeds will be split evenly between The Bail Project and the NAACP Legal Defence Fund.
