Hi everybody, FINALLY came across a site worth signing up for...my prayers have been answered in finding a forum to talk to others about the apparel industry. First off I must say thank you to all who care about the fashion and statements we make everyday by putting these fabrics on us. Now along with my question:
I am a graphic designer constantly being outsourced by foreigners. I am sick of it. I have a tight net of friends and family who are in the fashion industry (mostly accessories) and yet I had never been interested in that field. I recently came across a couple of "luxury" websites specializing in basically overpricing their t-shirts because of a freakin name...and i am NOT knocking their hustle, but grasping an understanding of what makes their product shine as opposed to others. I have been researching this kind of stuff on and off for the past 6 months and have all my questions almost answered. We all know of the "ed hardy/christian audigier" tattoo-inspired art that's on t-shirts...but what amazes me is how much it goes for. Even though i have never held one in my hands, I want to know what is so different about it that makes it expensive. Is it the material? the amount of designs and styles on it? does this guy use AA, Fruit of the Loom...etc? And how about that brand "DIESEL"...i own a couple of t-shirts by that brand and I have never seen the "blank" version of it (to buy for wholesale and screen print them)
If i have been confusing in anyway, please let me know so that i may reword my question. other than that, thank you for taking the time to give me answer!
Not sure but it seems as though most of these companies have their tees produced for them. These threads are about Ed Hardy/Christian Audigier(the designer) maybe they'll help you a bit. Christian Audigier's t-shirts Ed Hardy T's
want to know what is so different about it that makes it expensive. Is it the material? the amount of designs and styles on it?
It is mostly the "branding" that makes people pay that much.
Not everyone is going to buy their shirts, but they have created a brand that has the feeling of "exclusiveness" and "high style" that makes people want to pay more for their shirts. That happens with putting out a quality product (quality blanks, quality printing) but the biggest part of getting people to pay that much is advertising and marketing yourself as a high end brand.
It is mostly the "branding" that makes people pay that much.
Not everyone is going to buy their shirts, but they have created a brand that has the feeling of "exclusiveness" and "high style" that makes people want to pay more for their shirts. That happens with putting out a quality product (quality blanks, quality printing) but the biggest part of getting people to pay that much is advertising and marketing yourself as a high end brand.
Exactly, and this is the same method used to sell a lot of luxury goods who hold an imaginary position in the public's mind. I'd be interested to know though if the profit they make from a high price and low merchandise cost they all use it in the advertsing & branding costs...
Yes bro, I am feeling you on that one, I also have done a bast amount of re-search on product development this guy Christian Audigier, is a design conoseur plus he has a great deal of understanding of what works in the industry, which is only attain over the years.
He help establish American Eagle, Von Dutch and now Ed Hardy and other luxury brands. The key is the combination of elements from design to how your product is marketed.
In the end is not the physical value of things that we go for, but more the psychological attachment we have with our things, for instance our relationship with money is one of the strongest psychological and emotional we have with anything material, but when you actually detach from its meaning and value, it nothing but print on paper.
well hope I help answer your question
I was recently wondering about Ed Hardy myself. My opinion is that in this case you have experirnced marketers and designers puting out a product that is easy to grasp. By easy to grasp I mean taking the lifelong designs of a tatoo artist and putting them on clothing. No real agenda just a tatoo masters portfolio. That in itself is pretty cool. So with so many shirts out there have tatoo inspired artwork these shirts have the tatoos that inspired the guys that inspired the guys that inspired the guys that are out know and the emotional feeling in this is strong. I'ts beautiful artwork also because the aren't trying to make the artwork look dated like so many shirts outthere. The artwork is already dated.
As already stated - the $ really has little to do with T-shirts and everything to do with Marketing. Many people are willing to pay more if they think they are getting something special. In fact some people think a product is no good unless it has a high price tag!
Luxury T's 
