Everyone wears T-shirts. You might even have a boxy cotton classic clad across your shoulders as you read this – I know I do. Perhaps an audacious logo is plastered on your chest or a celestial illustration swathes your spine. It may not immediately seem meaningful, but we must attest, the T-shirt has long been a rebel with a cause.
That’s why we’re gagging to get our hands on Mr Porter’s newest sartorial enterprise. Last week, the e-tailor announced the next iteration of the Tee Store x Mr Porter Health In Mind, a jubilant capsule with 104 exclusive T-shirt designs that feature inspirational graphics, archival prints, novelty designs and slogans. In a bid to celebrate the seemingly simplest of wardrobe staples in all its glory, the paring has rounded up 18 of the most exciting designers in both contemporary and luxury menswear, tasking each to create an exclusive range of uplifting tees that drive awareness for men’s mental health and wellbeing.
Labels taking part include Acne Studios, Camp High, Carhartt WIP, Friends with Animals, Kapital, as well as a whole host of emerging brands Mr Porter has taken under its wing.
What’s up for grabs, then? New to the roster, Emotionally Unavailable highlights mental awareness with its cherry-red hemmed “Therapy” top and “Mental Health” shibboleth featuring the Wheel of Emotions. Meanwhile, Fortnite Premium takes schematic cues from the iconic multiplayer universe game of the label’s namesake, offering not just T-shirts but hoodies, hats and socks to boot – now that’s a hot drop. Plus, Stockholm Surfboard Club has concocted a capsule of surf-culture-inspired streetwear, peerless with its highly-coveted, neoteric tie-dye effect. Finishing things off is a washed-out grungy edit from Gallery Dept and a selection of cutesy teddy-bear tees from Sorry In Advance. Pair any of the optimistic tops on offer with a pair of low-slung cargos and you’ll be a certified gorpcore bro.
Throughout the tee selection, the effervescent colour palette articulates themes of happiness, friendship and pastimes while the community focused accompanying campaign sees a diverse group of youngins, roller skating and dancing around like nobody’s watching. What the imagery elicits is the organic, day-to-day exchanges of self-expression and casual conversations between men, evoking a vivacious vision of mental serenity and health.
To sweeten the deal, the net profits of each garment sold during the initial two weeks following the launch will be donated to the Mr Porter Health In Mind Fund. Powered by Movember, the decision to partner with a charity that supports men’s mental and physical health initiatives felt pertinent. After all, Movember is the leading global charity changing the face of men’s health with a determined focus on emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention, as well as prostate and testicular cancers.
Photography courtesy of Mr Porter. Shop the Tee Store x Mr Porter Health In Mind here.
