Latest Posts

The Triumphant Return….

Status Apparatus is back! New pieces coming soon.

Rapper Smash On The Cover of Street Smart Mag with Status Apparatus on!!!

Baltimore magazine Street Smart Magazine (@STREETSMART_MAG) for the Jan/Feb sports up and coming rapper Smash (@410smash). He is making a huge impact and his videos have appeared on such hip-sop sites as Worldstarhiphop. Amazing look for our brand! Check out a close up look of the Gold Standard T-shirt.

Brake Fast Records (@brakefast) X A-Class (@Aclassics) X Status Apparatus (@statusapparatus)

Brakefast Records and Status Apparatus have begun a collaboration of sorts. Artist A-Class recently did a recent shoot for the label, sporting shirts from the Winter (but so winter) collection.

Check out A-Class’ music at http://www.brakefastrecords.com . There’s more to come for the Brake Fast collaboration. Stay Tuned!

+ Read more…

Status Apparatus Fitted Cap Worn at Greenspan/DJ Soundwave Performance

There is a special guest appearance by the Status Apparatus Fitted Cap in this video. Dope. Thanks to Greenspan and his camp.

Late Fall/Early Winter Restock

Late Fall/Early Winter Restock! Late Fall/Early Winter Restock! Late Fall/Early Winter Restock!

Late Fall/Early Winter Restock!

Late Fall/Early Winter Restock!

Late Fall/Early Winter Restock!

Late Fall/Early Winter Restock!

Go to the http://statusapparatus.storenvy.com/products and get some stuff!!!!!

IROCKFOX-Foosball Challenge (Status Apparatus Hat Appearance)

IROCKFOX (http://twitter.com/irockfox), a brand that I love, posted a Foosball Challenge on youtube. Unbenounced to me , the founder of the company was wearing a Status Apparatus fitted cap. Here’s the vid. PS go to his twitter and check out the brand. Dope stuff!

2010 Fall/Early Winter Video Lookbook (Alternate Video)

Here is a another look at the 2010 Fall/Early Winter Collection. Shot by Barbarian Media.

City of gods 1st year anniversary Oct. 16th

Heavy supporter City Of Gods celebrated their 1 year Anniversary. A lot of dope pics from it but I chose to put all the ones that had Status Apparatus in it. Thanks for the ssupport!

2010 Fall/Early Winter Collection Now On Online Store!!!!

2010 Fall/Early Winter Collection Now On Online Store!!!! Shoot over to the online store http://statusapparatus.storenvy.com/products and purchase some clothes! I’d like to thank all of the blogs, stores, and people that have supported the brand. We have much more up our sleeves. Tell everyone!!!!!

A Closer Look At The Status Apparatus 2010 Fall/Early Winter Lookbook

Here is a closer look at The Status Apparatus 2010 Fall/Early Winter Lookbook. Items will be on the website for sale, OCTOBER 8th 2010! Tell a friend!

Status Apparatus 2010 Fall/Early Winter Video Lookbook

After a brief hiatus Status Apparatus is back with it’s Fall/ Early Winter 2010 collection! This collection captures what Status Apparatus is most known for: quality, creativity…and dopeness.Product coming super duper soon!  Enjoy this preview! BIG THANKS TO Barbarian Media for shooting it!!!! Note: You are probably wonder why we have t-shirts for the fall/winter . The answer is: EVERYONE WEARS T-SHIRTS! Don’t worry, sleeved apparel is coming soon as well. Also, the Status Apparatus site will be undergoing a revamp very soon. Stay Tuned!!!!!

News: New Status Apparatus coming in June

Status Apparatus is here to stay. The blog hiatus was only to bring you a quality product. It is paying off and you will have more product very soon. Very special thanks to my friend from Japan, kurozumi koichi, who picked up a fitted cap. Thanks for the love.

• New Status Apparatus is coming in June! This collection is substantially different than the first quarter drop but equal in dopeness.
• Status Apparatus Fitted Caps are going at an alarming rate, get one asap! You can find them here!
• Online Store will be restocked very soon!
• Dope collaborations coming very soon!

Status Apparatus featured in a City Of God’s Photoshoot

One of our stockists, City Of Gods, recently did a photoshoot for their boutique that included our We Believe shirt.  Check out the pics below

WE Believe Shirts now available at City Of Gods. For info on the shop, check out their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/thecityofgods

Status Apparatus X FLAT FITTY Fitted Cap OUT NOW!!!!

Status Apparatus has collaborated with up and coming fitted cap company Flat Fitty to produce an amazing fitted cap. The black cap with red brim is stylishly complimented by a very distinct display of the word “Status” seen similarly on the ever popular Status apparatus P.Y.T. shirt. Under the red brim is an amazingly crafted pattern shown in the pics below.

Flat Fitty constantly delivers high quality fitted caps and it was only right that we sided with them. Expect more caps!

TO ORDER COME HERE

Note: This hat is extremely limited!!

+ Read more…

Jungle Gym Magazine Features Status Apparatus

Jungle Gym Magazine, the source for all things dope, has featured Status Apparatus on their blog. They have pictures of the newly released 2010 1st Quarter Collection. Good look for us here. Big thanx to the people over at Jungle Gym Magazine. Check out the post here .

P.Y.T.: Design Jacking 101

The P.Y.T. design has been an amazing door opener for the Status Apparatus brand. Its unique spin on “woman of the moment” Amber Rose has been the source of its momentum. Beyond that, its just aesthetically pleasing and I’d like to thank all of the people who have supported it by way of purchase and kind words. Tastemaker, Music Fan, and all around cool guy Ryan Lyons recently contacted me about what can only be seem as outright blatant design jacking. Mr. Lyons contacted me and asked if I heard of Rap artist Cyhi The Prince. Upon my saying that I hadn’t, he sent the video for his double feature video “Studda & Im 100″ posted below

At about the 4:46 mark, I saw this:

and FiNALLY

Here’s 2 reasons why I think that this is more than a coincidence.

1. Here is the original Complex shoot pic that the above shirt design was taken from. A shadowy picture of Amber Rose.

2. The fact that is in fact Amber Rose with a red band that is the length of the picture. In addition, the red band on the side of Amber Rose is almost the exact same shade as the P.Y.T. design.

The Status Apparatus design was in existence far earlier than the post date (December 2009) of the video. Without feeding too much into the negativity or  dismay that this may create for the average group of people, we are not such beings. All we ask is that you pay close attention to the execution our version of the concept. The red band on the side on the Status Apparatus design reads “STATUS”. Attention to detail my friends. Just wanted to bring it to the attention of our fans. Support the line! Much more greatness is ahead for us! Thank you…we are flattered.

News:Limited Quantities Of New Collection, Phone Orders!!!!!

Due to the demand for the demand for the 2010 1ST QUARTER COLLECTION, Status Apparatus has chosen a route that will insure that our fans all over will be able to get our product. Starting today, our stockist will be taking phone orders and will be shipping products out!!! Information for our stockist can be found here . Thank you for the support!!!

News:Status Apparatus Now Carried At City Of Gods Boutique

Baltimore boutique, The City Of Gods, is now carrying Status Apparatus!!! The shop is very exclusive and carries the lines IROCKFOX, Antonio Carew, and Compete Clothing.  Big move for the company and expect a tremendous amount of exposure as a result. Thank you to Jason, Terrance, and Torae’ for the opportunity. If you are in Baltimore and want to check out the the store go to

City of Gods Boutique

1118 Hollins St.

Baltimore, MD 21223

410-635-gods (4637)

http://www.thecityofgods.com
http://www.twitter.com/thecityofgods

+ Read more…

Fresh In The City: Status Apparatus Release Party!!!!

Come to the official release party for Status Apparatus’s 2010 1ST Quarter Collection!!! (Check out the lookbook at http://statusapparatus.com/main/?page_id=60) This is the beginning of a beautiful situation in which City of Gods Boutique will now be carrying Status Apparatus in their shop. See some new gear from IROCKFOX, Compete, and Antonio Carew. Come get fresh in the city!!!

Check out the event on facebook here

+ Read more…

The Tempo Tandrum: Dopest Music Podcast On The Net

In addition to designing clothes, I also have a weekly/bi-weekly music podcast called The Tempo Tandrum. It is a 90 minute podcast that consists of every genre imaginable , from Baltimore club to alternative. One of the biggest strengths of the podcast is that despite the fact it is melting pot of music, it is structured sonically that it makes sense. The show has now reached over 115 volumes created!!!!Please check it out at http://www.thetempotandrum.com

Down By Law: Sir Tizzy’s The Wackness

Baltimore rapper, Sir Tizzy recently dropped his first mixtape entitled The Wackness. I’m proud of this mixtape for many reasons which I will name in sequence of importance to me.

1.The content is amazing!

2. Tizzy understands what good hip-hop is and it shows in this mixtape.

3.I rapped on track 12.

4.I produced 6 tracks on the mixtape.

5.Ill-Vibes, one of the most respected blogs of local talent in the DMV area, posted the mixtape.

6. Please refer to reasons 1-5.

Ill-Vibes.com has said “I’m diggin’ this kid’s flow, as he seamlessly maneuvers on a track with an intricate and changing flow, while spitting about some relevant themes. I can definitely dig it!”

Find out what all of the fuss is about, at the official site to get the mixtape http://sirtizzy.bandcamp.com/

A Closer Look at the 2010 1ST QUARTER COLLECTION

Status Apparatus is proud to present the 2010 1ST QUARTER COLLECTION. We invite you to take a closer look at that will be included. The below gallery is a complete look at what is to come mid January 2010. (HINT: FS=FULLSCREEN)

Brief Description Of Products

Cut and Sew Flannel Shirts-high quality fabric classically tailored with gentle care and subtle embellishments. These garments are thick, head-turning, warm, and made to last. (The Piece Will Be Released in a Red, Yellow, and White Colorway)

The P.Y.T. Shirt-The P.Y.T. shirt is a beautifully printed picture of Amber Rose aside a mesmerizing print that reads “STATUS”. Made with 100% cotton t-shirts and a slimmer cut, there is no mistaking why this shirt has been added to the collection.(The Piece Will Be Released in a Black Colorway)

Erratic Tee-The writing is on the wall and it seems that the message is that Status Apparatus is here to stay. The “Erratic Tee” introduces a very simple lettering in a very bold manner. The contrasting colors makes for a very eye catching piece. (The Piece Will Be Released in a Black and Navy Colorway)

Iron Hype 3/4 Quarter Raglan- This Mike Tyson Design was done  by Designer Thomas Kuriatko, a digital artist, whose work has been in many publications including Format Magazine. The design is an ode to classic 70s blaxploitation movies. The 3/4 Quarter Raglan is suited for comfort and who wants to make a strong statement about their style. This piece is timeless. (The Piece Will Be Released in a Black ,Red, and Blue Colorway)

STATUS FITTED CAP-In collaboration with emerging fitted cap company Flat Fitty, the intricately crafted fitted cap has character. This is a piece that you will notice subtleties months after your purchase. With a blend of old school flavor and new school convention, this is a hat for anyone who values well made, aesthetically pleasing headwear. Status Apparatus is proud to present its first of many fitted caps.

Gutter Magazine Does a piece on Status Apparatus!

Gutter Magazine, did a nice piece on the Status Apparatus. Fashion editor for the online mag, Abdu Ali, conducted an interview recently and had nothing but good things to say about the line.

Check out the article here

Hiatus Aside, Status Apparatus Soldiers On, News!

Status Apparatus hasn’t gone anywhere. I was recently injured pretty badly and I’m currently healing. Thanks to all the people who have reached out and shown support. Personal health should always be a priority!

Good news here at the company. Mini Winter collection is dropping extremely soon! Lookbook is coming as well.

When I say mini, I mean mini but it will be worth the wait! This will show how much the brand has grown.

Stay tuned!!!!!!!

News: Twitter, Online Store Relaunch,and Upcoming Winter Collection

First things first…Status Apparatus finally has an official twitter page

http://www.twitter.com/statusapparatus
The twitter has mostly random thoughts and news as it comes. Add It!!!!

The online store has been undergoing changes and is being relaunched November 3rd. Be on the lookout for it!

Also, the mini winter collection is coming sooner than later and we are really excited about it. Expect the unexpected. Some dope pieces are coming! P.S. The P.Y.T. shirt will be apart of it.

The Baltimore Sun Approves Logo Usage!

Status Apparatus has a lot of Baltimore pride… so much that a shirt design was dedicated to that idea. The We Believe and We Believe 2.0 shirts have done extremely well online and in stores. It seems that the Baltimore Sun loves the usage of the logo just as much as we loved making it. We at Status Apparatus, now have the legal right to use their logo for our shirt!!! Amazing news here. Big Thanks to Tim Thomas over at the Baltimore Sun.

*flips hands* Now that the legal stuff is taken care of…GO BUY MORE SHIRTS

ONLINE STORE

+ Read more…

THOSEGIRLSAREWILD X STATUSAPPARATUS CONTEST!!!!

THOSEGIRLSAREWILD AND STATUSAPPARATUS.COM ARE HOLDING A CONTEST!!!!! The contest is to win our latest t-shirt, the P.Y.T. design. How do you win you ask? All you have to do is head over to http://thosegirlsarewild.com/2009/10/blog-tour-statusapparatus-com-in-baltimore and in the comments section, answer a very simple question: What is your Status Apparatus? The person with the most creative answer will receive the shirt!!!!!! That simple. So shoot on over there and get going!!!! The winner will be chosen of November 6th.

STATUS APPARATUS X THOSEGIRLSAREWILD.COM

THOSEGIRLSAREWILD.COM is a site that I frequent. The beautiful chaos that is this site is run by and Canadians Andrea Lewis (right) and Shannon Boodram (left). It is a hilarious series of blog entries and youtube videos about whatever these two are feeling that day. The entries are always insightful, witty, and most of all: entertaining.

Anrea Lewis is an actross (Degrassi: The Next Generation among her works), singer, writer and all around cool lady.

Shannon Boodram is a writer, a photographer,television host and all around cool lady.

Ms. Boodram is the author of a new book entitled Laid.  Here’s a brief description of the book, straight from Shannon’s site:

“About Laid: Laid is the title of Shannon’s book that is going to be released through Seal Press in October 2009. Laid is a non-fiction anthology that takes a peer mediation approach to sexual education. Youth ages 18-25 across North America were asked to share a life changing sexual experience they went through in their teens. Contributors were asked to share their stories as though they were telling it to a best friend, lecturing was prohibited. As a result, Laid is not your typical sexual education book. It’s raw, honest, steamy, scary, inspiring and eye opening stories. The book is separated into five chapters based on five common young adult sexual scenarios: hookups, positive experiences, physical consequences, date rape and abstinence. No two stories are alike but in each chapter you will find the following components: a chapter intro, a question and answer section that addresses issues touched upon in each chapter and finally an activity that challenges the reader to derive their own lessons from other’s experiences. Laid’s has contributors who share positive stories as well as those who have dealt with teenage pregnancy, abortion, STI contraction, hookups, date rape, sexual abuse and living with HIV.”

The book is amazing and can be found on Amazon here.

So PICK UP THE BOOK A.S.A.P. It’s an amazing read!!!!!!!

So….what’s just as exciting as Laid coming out??? THOSEGIRLSAREWILD.COM went on a blog tour to promote the book and guess where one of their stops was??? You guessed it…here. Below is a youtube video that these ladies from the north did for Status Apparatus.  It is amazing for many-a-reasons. Big thank you to Shannon and Andrea!

There’s more!!! In addition there will be a contest through THOSEGIRLSAREWILD.COM AND STATUSAPPARATUS.COM ending November 6th 2009 in which you can win a Status Apparatus T-shirt!!! All you have to do is answer this question: “What is your Status Apparatus?”  The most creative answer will win!!!!!! Shoot on over to http://www.thosegirlsarewild.com for more details.

What’s Ahead for Status Apparatus? Sale Coming!!!!

You are all probably wondering what’s new for Status Apparatus. With Fall here, expect some very interesting designs coming very soon for the brand. Quality is key and upping the ante in that regard is something that we intend to do. Collaborations have occurred, changes are happening and there overall feel is that we are next! Expect some amazing things coming up.

Accessories are on the way as well….

Also….sale coming this month…stay tuned!

Billions of Currency Shows Love!

Brand Billions of Currency shows Status Apparatus some love in a major way. The below pictures were posted on their blog.

Gotta love it. Greatly appreciate the love from those guys. One thing that really draws me to their line is that is the quality of the work thus far. Integrity in the designs, even in the early stages of a brand is promising. A collaboration is coming soon. CHECK THEM OUT HERE

News:Online Store Switching To PayPal Shortly

It’s our goal to allow people from every country on Earth to take part in the Status Apparatus movement. There’s one problem with that. Amazon Payments currently doesn’t allow non-US businesses to accept payments at all. Through lots and craziness and dispute, the Status Apparatus online store will switch to Paypal very soon. The transition will be seamless and

Thank you to everyone that has supported the brand and there is more amazing products to come!!!!

Down By Law:Tony Siv

Tony Sivilay aka Tony Siv. As a photographer, Social Study Sneaker repper and all around cool guy, Siv is already down by law. Today, however, Tony really made my day. Apparently someone who I wouldn’t have expected to support the brand, supported the brand. Which is a great thing!   I got this beast of a twitter today and a made my otherwise subpar day into an amazing one. Check out the tweet below.

Yes, Yes, Yes…that’s what I’m talking about. That’s the business folks! Note to everyone: STATUS APPARATUS IS FOR EVERYONE!

Check out his Flickr Photostream Here

Add Tony to your twitter…he has some funny tweets http://twitter.com/TonySiv

Status Apparatus Sticker!!!!

There has been a new status apparatus sticker released (It is 3 inches x 3 inches). Check it out

Here is the design up close…

This sticker will come with every online order and will be at our stockists very soon. Get a bunch and hand them out. Also, if you interested in mucho stickers-o, it will also be posted at our online store (1 dollar for a 10 sticker pack!!!!). Thank you for your support thus far. More product to come!!!!!!!!!!!

Social Study Sneakers Posts Our Tee On Their Blog

Social Study Sneakers, one of our stockists, has posted a very dope pic our P.Y.T. shirt. Shoot on over to Social Study Sneaker’s website http://wwww.socialstudysneakers.com….one of the dopest boutiques in the world according to Dime Magazine (and me). They are carrying the shirt and it can be ordered via phone if you can’t get to the shop.

Down By Law: A Baltimore Love Thing

Ryan Lyons, creator of the popular blog “A Baltimore Love Thing” , is taking on a huge task in the city of Baltimore. One of his objectives, among many others, is highlighting talented artists. Why is this so hard you ask?  The lack of unity and exposure of local artists is a well known fact and Lyons is looking to remedy that.  ABLT is down by law. Check out the site here. Expect a collaboration very soon.

Who is on the P.Y.T. Shirt?

The question of the year has been…who is on the Status Apparatus P.Y.T. shirt?

The answer is model Amber Rose. She has gained some notoriety for dating hip-hop genius Kanye West and just being extremely beautiful and existing on earth. She has graced the pages of every magazine imaginable lately including a shoot with Complex Magazine shown below:

I sent her the link to the site via Twitter (my name is tempotandrum on there), seeking a response to the design and this is what I got from her:

So it is official…Amber approves of the Status Apparatus P.Y.T. shirt. Very dope my friends. Come get the shirt from our Stockists or Online Store while supplies last (they are extremely limited)!

WELCOME TO THE NEW SITE!!!!

STATUS APPARATUS WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE NEW NEW NEW NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE

Version 1.0 of the new site is up and running. Thank you for your support up until this point and beyond. LOOK BOOK AND DOWNLOADS SECTIONS COMING REALLY REALLY SOON. Stay Tuned.

P.Y.T. Shirt Release! Now in stores and at our online store!

Status Apparatus is proud is introduce our new shirt, the “P.Y.T.” This high quality print has a beautiful female on the front, accompanied by mesmerizing print going vertically down the right hand portion of the shirt. As always, our shirts are in extremely limited quantities and can be found at our online store, Pedestrian Baltimore and Social Study Sneakers

Down By Law: Billions Of Currency

Up and coming streetwear company Billions Of Currency is making an impact in fashion. Even in the few shirts I’ve seen, this company has a whole lot of potential. Check them out at http://www.billionsofcurrency.com/

News, New Facebook Page, Etc

DimeMag.com Mentions Social Study Sneakers

Check out the current issue of Dime Magazine and see Social Study Sneakers (Where Status Apparatus is currently being sold) listed as one of top 50 sneaker shops in the world!

News:New Shirt is arriving very very soon

Status Apparatus has a new design coming and it is amazing. Cannot wait to show it off. In the meantime, check out our other designs at these two locations

We Believe 2.0 (Limited Edition) NOW IN STOCK ONLINE!!!

We Believe 2.0 (Limited Edition) Restocked ONLINE and are now availible!!!

GET TO THE ONLINE STORE HERE

+ Read more…

The Artist behind the Donnie Darko Pics!

If you’ve seen been to the Status Apparatus website before then you’ve probably seen these two characters. Artist Dean Fraser is responsible! Amazing artist. Check out his site http://www.deantfraser.com/. Quality Stuff there.

+ Read more…

T-Shirt Magazine Features Status Apparatus!

T-Shirt Magazine featured Status Apparatus in the National Scene section of their blog under Baltimore Clothing Lines! Also mentioned on the blog entry is one of my favorite streetwear spots: Shop Gentei. It is truly an honor! Please check it out @ the link below. Status Apparatus is coming up!

http://t-shirtmagazineonline.com/national-scene-baltimore/

+ Read more…

We Believe 2.0 (Limited Edition) Sold out Online! But…….

Arcieri Keness: The Artist, The We Believe Rocker!

Arcieri Keness, model for the We Believe, is a pretty interesting guy. As a friend of the brand and the fellow Leader Of The New School, Keness is marking his mark in the Baltimore music scene as well as other aspects of expression.

His mixtape released a little while ago, Terrorist Do Coke is a very worthy introduction to the lyrically unique MC. Check it out by clicking the album cover. Very good download.

In addition to hip-hop, he is also an author of a book entitled Goodspeed.

It is a collection of thoughts and poems. Very Dope. It is being sold at Barnes and Noble as well as Amazon. Check it out as soon as possible!

+ Read more…

We Believe 2.0 (Limited Edition) Released Today

Status Apparatus’ We Believe 2.0 Limited Edition have been released. Back by popular demand, Status Apparatus decided to do a different colorway for the We Belive shirt.. We also wanted to improve upon the design by making it just as bold as the message that it carries. With that said, We Believe 2.0 was born. Bigger, Bolder, Stronger! We also restocked on the original We Believe shirts, which now has a 5 dollar price drop! Come to the online store and grab the new shirt!! Limited Quantities!!!

+ Read more…

Nixon’s Blank Tape Mentions Status Apparatus

Baltimore-Club.com Did An Interview With Status Apparatus.

Online Store Now Open!!!!

Status Apparatus is proud to announce that its online store is now open for business!!!! Click the below pic to get started!

Thank you very much for the love shown thus far. We think we have a great product and there is more to come!

Special Edition We Believe Shirt Coming!

Hello People…the site has been somewhat hush hush about it but a couple of announcements are coming within the next couple of weeks. Based on the overwhelming response of the first We Believe shirt, we will be releasing a brand new colorway for the beginning of the summer. I will give you a huuuuge hint:

More to come very very soon!

Status Apparatus Now Sold At Social Study Sneakers!

With some luck and timing, we have managed to get another spot to carry our line. Social Study Sneakers to be exact! This shop based out of Frederick, MD is home for a slew of amazing streetwear. Here is their blog entry about us. http://socialstudysneakers.blogspot.com/2009/04/status-apparatus.html To be carried there is a true honor. Here are some of the pics from the shop’s site.

Evolution.

The official logo tee.

Here’s the shop information:

Social Study

201 North Market Street
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone Number
301.695.5671
Hours
Mon-Sat 10:30am-8pm
Sun 12-5pm

Note: All shirts carried in the store can be ordered over the phone or website and will be delivered to your house! Go for it. Support the brand!

Online Store.

Working on it now…it should be up very very soon.

What’s In a Logo?

What’s in a logo?

What is it about the logos that we love, that draw us to them?

In the case of the logos I love, what the product represents incites a positive feeling. In the case of certain brands I chose to use/wear, when I see the given logo, I know it is of quality. When I hear the name, I know what to expect. Logos is an abbreviated version of what to expect from a brand.

In the “About Us” section, there is a portion that reads: : “Everyone has a status apparatus. Your means of expression is whatever is important to you. Each person has a means to express their status. Your status is defined by whatever tool you use to do so, making expression one of the most powerful tools we have as human beings. “

Our logo is fairly simple as you can see but 3 very simple elements of life were chosen in order to get our message across.

A: A heart is the picture is shown in the A portion of the logo. Love is a universally valued part of our existence, regardless of culture. Traditionally, we are taught that most things that we dedicate our lives to should come out love. (Marriage, relationships, children, careers, etc.) I believe that this is a large part our status as individuals.

B. Coins are shown in the B portion of the logo. It is said that money makes the world go ’round. Our society is one of consumerism. Consumerism is the equation of personal happiness with consumption and the purchase of material possessions. It is a battle that has become harder with the way everything is marketed to us now! In addition, money directly deals with your status in our society. We equate money with happiness. Supposedly, the more money you have, the happier you will be.

C. A grenade is shown in the C portion of the logo. The denial of our more primitive impulses for violence has been an issue since the beginning of time. When egos, resources, and checkbooks are messed with, war ensues. Hidden agendas are shrouded in what is presented to us as “protecting the homefront”. We all know that isn’t true. War is war and every society prides itself in its ability to “protect” it’s own. Military supremacy is an ultimate status apparatus™.

All of these elements on the simplest level are money, power and respect. These are viewed, to many, as the elements that makes life ideal. On paper, I suppose these are three things that would make my existence tolerable. In any case, they definitely are things that we equate with status.

We Belive: The Info

The line is about more than gimmicky shirts, however, the choice to do this shirt wasn’t a hard one. There is a shortage of Baltimore referenced clothing. When I’d visit streetwear shops all over, no matter the place, there would be LA and NY related shirts. I wanted to explain in full how the shirt the came to be.

Tommie Battle, a classmate at Towson University (and great photographer whose work can be seen here), like myself is a fan of streetwear. Circa 2007 I saw him in this shirt that blew my mind. It read:

This shirt was done by New York streetwear company, Mighty Healthy. I’d never seen anything like it. The use of well known magazines to create this phrase was genius to me. So I kept it in my mind until….

I was granted the opportunity to create a line. I loved the idea of creating such a tee but there were several factors I wanted to consider:

• Blatantly taking the idea to make my own t-shirt would be in poor taste
• How the hell could I create the feel of the above mentioned without taking the idea?
• How could I tastefully make a Baltimore reference without a damn Baltimore Oriole character involved?
• How could I make it turn heads?

All things considered I began my brainstorming. I wanted readily identifiable references to Baltmore. As I traveled throughout this town that I loved I noticed something. There were a billion “Believe” stickers, signs, posters, etc.

For those out-of-towners or in-towners who aren’t familiar…the Believe campaign was a means to create a mood of positivity about the war on drugs in Baltimore. Created in April 2002, “The campaign calls for Baltimore to believe, believe that drugs can be eliminated off of the streets, and drug dealers to be punished.” (Azete). It is no mistaking that the Baltimore has a drug problem, with almost 60,000 residents in Baltimore City abusing drugs. “Believe” can be seen plastered all over Baltimore. It appealed to me in a lot of ways. I, like many people in urban environments, was impacted by drugs. It ruined many people I knew and I hoped that the campaign would help. Plus something about bold letters was sexy to me.

The Mighty Healhy shirt made more than 3 references to something else. I didn’t want any more than that. I wanted something that literally said Baltimore on it in addition to the Believe picture so I went with the obvious choice. The Baltimore Sun. The logo was powerful, recognizable, and esthetically pleasing.

The last part of the puzzle before I began arrangement was figuring out the style of font I wanted to use. I credit the graphic tee movement of the last couple of years for this one. This put band tees on kids that hadn’t heard so much as 5 seconds of their music. I was out and about and I saw this design on a shirt.

Something about the font spoke to me. So I found something fairly similar and there was the missing link. Lettering can make or break a shirt….and something about this lettering was amazing to me.

So I began brainstorming, often sharing my ideas with my sister. She was a bit hesitant to accept the idea as a good one due to my lack of a state that worked. What do I mean by that you ask?
Well the original conception of the t-shirt used the Believe and Baltimore Sun paper but it was a run-on sentence. I can’t remember the exact phrasing but it was something along the lines of “We believe in love and truth in the Baltimore Sun”. Terrible. The more I thought about it, the harder it had become. So I left it alone. While sitting around with someone, a thought suddenly popped into my head. “We Believe In Living Under The Baltimore Sun”™. And so it came to be.
The shirt can be interpreted a million ways but this was literally what I was trying to say through it: “Despite turmoil (drugs, violence, etc.), we still believe in existing in this beautiful place”. It seemed to accomplish that.

We Believe: Shirt In Stores!!!

This last couple of weeks has been very eventful. Today was one of the hugest events in the line’s short short short short history. A shirt designs made it into a great streetwear shop in Baltimore. The name of the place is Pedestrian and it is located in the Fellspoint, a section of Downtown Baltimore (more info on Pedestrian to come later in the post).

The story of how I came across this shop as a potential seller is interesting. More than 7 months ago, armed with a look book (a book that with a series of preview of designs), I stormed into Pedestrian. I showed the manager Garth some of my work, and he seemed slightly impressed (…only slightly). He gave me a great deal of really helpful suggestions and went back to the lab (or computer). With the guy that was printing my t-shirts, it took almost a year to get 3 designs printed up. Yeeeesh! The project started last summer and we only got the shirts back towards the beginning of the winter. So after the brunt of the winter season subsided, I took another look book into Garth. He loved a couple and he chose this one for a small run.

Here is the shirt

It was changed a bit in the process (resized and what not). Here is the shirt.
I got a few printed up from the difficult ordeal with the shirt printer. So all I had to do now was get them ready to be put out on the hangers. While speaking to Garth I realized that I hadn’t really thought much about a gun to tag the shirts. He gave me a catalog with a place in Philadelphia that had tagging guns. I had to get it right so I tested it out on a spare shirt. The first couple of times were epic fails but eventually I got the hang of it.

Hint: The price tags are pretty unique. Check them out. First run of the shirts are tagless. Yup.

I included some stickers in the mix too

Packaged it all up…and away we went to Pedestrian.

1707 Aliceanna street.

Fells Point, M.D. 21231

410-534-7510

pedestrian410@gmail.com

While exploring after I gave Garth the box of shirts, I made a very interesting discovery. Pedestrian’s Garth had our shirt on!!!!!! Word. Had to take a pic.

Take note of the poorly put together box strengthened by Status Apparatus stickers. Deep. In summary, great beginning. Visit Pedestrian. Small run of M-XXL shirts. When the blog entry comes gets posted on the Pedestrian site…the link will be posted. In the meantime…get them while you can! More colorways coming soon.

Here’s the address again!

1707 Aliceanna street.
Fells Point, M.D. 21231 4
410-534-7510
pedestrian410@gmail.com

Entry 1: Here We Go!

Status Apparatus™ is a line that prides itself in quality…even in its infancy. This is not only a means to show off fashion but it is a means to document progress. Every step through the process to get our name out there will be shown through video and pics. Random thoughts and inspirations will sprinkled throughout as well. So here we go. Entry 1. Expect some interesting entries soon!