I like to think that I had something to do with the proliferation of the decorated tee trend.  Early in 2003 I was working with a couture evening wear designer, Anne Bowen, when I thought – why not add the same semi-precious stones from a $20,000 dress to a simple tank?  After all, everyone I knew lived in tanks and jeans, so wouldn’t it be fab to make that simple casual uniform a little more chic and snazzy?  Certainly, special elements shouldn’t only be reserved for formal couture pieces.

I went home and hand-beaded small stones on my husbands wife-beater tank.  I wanted it to be pretty but still funky so I would add an occasional safety pin or random top stitch.  I knew I had come up with something different, but wondered if it was too edgy and “out there” to work within a sea of graphic tee regurgitation.

I wore the tank proudly all over NYC’s fashion district.  To designer showrooms and studios, fabric stores, bead stores, sample makers, you name it.  And, without fail, I would get loads of compliments.  It was the perfect trend research.  I encountered professional designers and technicians as well as PR mavens, sales reps, and interning fashionistas.  I figured if all these people could appreciate the idea I may be onto something.  So I beaded five more tanks, and my first brand, Wifebeader, was born.

It turns out, the fashion world was ready for a change, and retail giants Anthropologie and Bloomingdales both picked up my freshman line.  Back then, Wifebeader was one of a handful of brands that offered decoration, but we were the only brand that used semi-precious stones and delicately hand-stitched every bead.

Today, you can find decorated tanks and tees everywhere from H&M and Target to Barney’s and Saks, so cutting edge designers must amp up their gimmicks to get attention.  One designer, LnA, is generating buzz with their Music Tee, a collaboration with the Invisible DJ.  Here’s the low-down, it’s simply another traditional graphic tee printed with the album’s cover on the front and the playlist on the back (I have concert t-shirts from the 80’s in that style).  Their concept does get more interesting though.  Each tee is imprinted with a code that allows you to download the tracks online for free, or rather, after you’ve shelled out the $60 for the tee.

To sum it all up – if you’re in the market for another graphic t-shirt and you happen to love the Invisible DJ’s skills for curating up and coming artists, this is a fun way to spend some cash.  If you’re drawers are stuffed with silk-screened tees and your iPod is flowing with enough techno tunes to keep your heart beating all day, treat yourself to a yummy sushi dinner instead.  Regardless of the fact that I’m personally opting for hamachi sashimi and nigori sake, the marketing person in me gives the team kick-butt kudos for beautifully executing a fun project that has gotten attention and landed them plenty of good press.

To all my creative Dahlight-ers.  If you have any sweet ideas for t-shirt collaborations and/or unique ways to make a basic wardrobe staple interesting and new please send them my way.  With your blessing, we’ll produce the winning designs/concepts and offer them for sale through our retailers.  Who knows?  Maybe you too will land some fashionable press.

Emphatically, India is the most colorful country I’ve ever visited.  In fact, based on the culture’s historic respect for vibrancy, delicate detail, and rich aesthetics, I chose to manufacture my hand-beaded clothing line in India.

As an inately visual and empathetic person, I’ve always compained that India is also the most difficult place to describe in words.  I chalk that up to the fact that everything in India is experienced with heightened sensations be it sight, smell, sound, or simple shock.

Poras Chaudhary a professional cricketer turned photographer has taken India’s colors to an elevated level.  I hope that, besides finding his work beautiful and creative, it will help inspire you to make the treck to this country that will forever change your life’s perspective.

On a shopping note, be sure to bring home plenty of hand-dyed, hand-embroidered fabrics.  They’re ridiculousely inexpensive and ever useful…more on that later…