Pre-launch Pandemonium (v2 because I didn’t save the first one)
I wrote this at ACOFFEE with a delicious Ethiopian pourover in hand
Before anything else, I’m writing this as a reminder to myself to save the damn page before I have to write version 3…
This will be a somewhat personal blog post despite my original intention for it to really just be photography. I think it’ll offer a nice change of pace from the visually pleasing images (hehe) if I intersperse walls of text in between for those who like reading the journal diaries of others and huge blocks of text. I’ll intersperse these blocks with photos.
An ode to affordable portra 400 times
The outpour of support I have received since posting the announcement of the shirts has given me no lack of love. I’m so grateful to everyone; my friends, long time supporters and the newcomers who have joined in the sudden growth period within the past 2 months or so. Many of these new joiners were discovered through various facebook film photography and car groups and the inspiration these people provide me with their content is ridiculous.
Before I go any further, there may be a few people asking what the hell does 4studgaki mean. 4stud is the the stud pattern of wheels and cars (usually older wheels and cars) and gaki or ガキ means kid/brat in Japanese. 4 stud brat, the brat who likes 4 stud wheels/old car style/kyusha shoes. The meaning is quite flexible and so is what I want the brand to stand for. There may be some of you who are asking why I felt the need to post this, but I do not want 4studgaki to exclusively be a “car” brand but more along the lines of lifestyle, art and design with a big splash of car culture.
Some people may come here just to purchase something cool they’ve seen and my appreciation doesn’t dwindle if products are the only thing you’re here for. The support you’re showing me by deciding to purchase and then committing your hard earned money to something I’ve made allows me to lift overflowing buckets of gratitude for you.
Oh Phillip, you can’t possibly mean that. I really do.
As someone with a constant need for affirmation, gauging how I’m doing, how the things I’ve made are and whether or not I’ve done the right thing is very difficult. This is why whenever someone expresses support through something as simple as an instagram message “BUYING ONE @kindastock” or a direct message reply to a story I post, “These are LUSH can I get one @Al” , it provides me with a very specific feeling, the happiness that activates tear ducts.
When I make things for others to enjoy, whether it is a product, cooking food for others or even in the case of streaming. I want to entertain/create enjoyment for at least one person. I want people to be happy, to have a brief respite from the world, to have some neuronal activation while looking through photos and now in this case, to have clothing they are proud of wearing. I can not begin to comprehend how there will be multiple people all over the world wearing the shirt I have designed and maybe even all at the same time!
It creates a warm, fuzzy and TV static in my stomach feeling. Imagine the feeling of sparkling water in your mouth but move that exact feeling into your stomach, add warmth and see it as a good thing. It’s a strange way of describing it but it’s the best I can come up with as I write this.
Clothes to me are an extension of someone both physically when it’s worn but also as a branch of their personality. Sure you can see it just as a means for warmth and protection, but it’s an expression of self and for some, it provides a sizeable confidence booster especially when you’re wearing something you love.
The tactile experience of touching and putting on a shirt made from nice material is something else. It’s usually the innermost item and one that stays on throughout the day. You may think I’m overthinking this and you would be absolutely correct. I believe it’s the most personal item of clothing and one that you shouldn’t feel when you’re busy and going about your day but when you want it to be, becomes something you feel good in when you do notice.
My choice for screenprinted shirts is AS Colour Staple tees and the previous paragraphs lay out some of the reasons why. I printed them from a printing store based in Queensland and Melbourne. I think sometimes, blank tees are viewed in a negative way due to the accessibility of printing and over-saturation of graphic tees. It’s as though you must create your shirt from scratch, travel to a manufacturer and go through the design process to create something utterly unique. As much as I would love that experience, for an easily accessible, high quality blank, this was the right choice.
I purchased my first AS colour T shirt in 2015, a medium sized white blank Staple Tee from the store in Auckland and to this day, the shirt has not shrunk nor expanded in the wash and retains the exact same size as when I bought it. Everyone’s mileage may vary depending on how the shirts are washed and because these are screen printed shirts, I will get to specific instructions for care soon to make sure they last a long time if you want it too. These shirts are soft to the touch and when worn, don’t grate your skin like some other blanks would.
As a quick screenprinted shirt care summary to allow it to last a lifetime.
cold machine wash on low power
do not iron over the print and if need be, do it on the reverse
when hang drying, do not directly expose the print to the sun and flip the shirt inside out