T-Shirt Couture

When I first heard of this... I was like what the hell?? Is this another attempt to sell those $65 designer t-shirts, so the late kids can claim they are wearing a label. But after touring To A T: T-Shirt Culture... Cute or Couture, I got it.

Like a good pair of jeans or the little black dress... T-Shirts are a staple in fashion. The popularity of the t-shirt is a direct result of its ease of accessibility and for the endless outlet of individualism it allows. Over the years t-shirts have evolved. The t-shirt has been transformed from ordinary underwear worn by James Dean to today’s form of self-expression worn under blazers by some and with a pair of flip-flops by others. Now there are more different styles of t-shirts than ever before, often influenced by the many different elements of today's culture. Whether it is the tattoo inspired Ed Hardy Ts.. or the retro sexually implied slogan Ts.. or the Inspi(red) shirts on sale at GAP.... there is a style of tshirt for pretty much everyone. When it comes to style of t-shirts or even fashion in general it is a combination of many elements of culture such as musical taste, speech or other entertainment influences.

Museum of Design Atlanta’s new exhibit puts t-shirts from well established fashion icons like Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, and Dolce & Gabbana side-by side with up and coming local Atlanta designers including Project Runway favorite, Michael Knight and Clint Zeagler of Pecan Pie Couture. The exhibit explores this trend displaying t-shirts accented with rhinestones, beading, embroidery, cutting and sewing, and silk screen prints. If you are in the ATL, you should definitely come downtown and take a look at the free exhibit before it goes on tour.

And if you haven’t seen Michael Knight’s website do check it out http://www.mychaelknight.com/ .