Making A Statement

Since the Swingin' 60s, the T-shirt has long been a means of getting something off your chest, and telling the world what we cared about. The Groovy 70s saw shock tactics triumph, with the likes of Vivienne Westwood making political and controversial t-shirts such as the most popular design which featured a swastika and an inverted crucifix under the word 'Destroy". Then came Katherine Hamnett in the 80s, an English fashion designer who's best known for her oversized t-shirts with large block letter slogans. Her designs were adopted by pop bands, and her t-shits could be seen everywhere from music videos to the streets. At one point, Hamnett was photographed shaking hands with then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, dressed in her own t-shirt with the slogan "58% DON'T WANT PERSHING", a reference to polls showing public opposition in the United Kingdom against the basing of Pershing missiles in the country. 

Hamnetts designs were copied all over, which brings me to a man by the name of Henry Holland (shop here). Holland gained attention with his bold, 1980s-inspired t-shirts that displayed catchphrases such as  "Flick yer bean for Agyness Deyn" and were modelled by his model friends and fellow designers. 

His tongue-in-cheek t-shirts were a massive hit and we have since saw high-street giants such as Topshop and River Island coming out with there copy-cat editions, re-introducing the slogan t-shirt to the mainstream fashion scene. Recently, they have become celebrities weapon of choice in order to make a statement too, making their feelings clear. 

I personally love slogan t-shirts. Why? Well simply because they are the best way to get something off your chest without even saying a word. It's a way of expressing your viewpoint. Slogans work on so many different levels, they're almost subliminal too. They are a great way to convey your thoughts, opinions and even your personality to the world. And most importantly, they make any outfit FUN, 'coz that's what fashion is all about right?

Mpho x