Vintage Mardi Gras #1 – Long Sleeve Tee

This personal favorite is an updated bootleg of a bootleg from Mardi Gras 2005 and an updated version of our MG ‘25 tee. The style and vibe is so right, but the real depth of this piece was in our process and the character printed on the shirt. It's a copy of a copy of a shameless commodity--a symbol of identity theft and cultural appropriation, which, when that that bootleg was created, was able to return home--back to the people.

For us, this project was about exploring identity, ownership, and cultural economies; honoring our ancestors; finding a cathartic and celebratory way to express this complexity (yes, through this t-shirt!); and reclaiming it as a sincere tribute to real culture and living histories. 

It's about fostering community. It's an active dedication; a commitment to look out for one another and to honor those who make our communities special.