Unless you've been completely off the radar, you're likely familiar with the macabre and wickedly sharp humor of Steven Rhodes.
There is a strong possibility that a few of his cult-classic illustrations are already part of your wardrobe!
This year is a major landmark as we honor the 10th Anniversary of Steven Rhodes evolving his love for retro art into a worldwide sensation. To celebrate a full decade of vintage aesthetics and dark nostalgia, we’re proud to have a new exclusive collection of tees available.
Steven’s true breakthrough came when he fused his love for 1970s and 1980s children’s book covers with a sharp, subverted twist of dark humor.
While his first vintage-style piece, “Science!”, set the tone, it was the iconic “Let’s Summon Demons” that exploded into a viral, global bestseller.
Behind the Design
To celebrate 10 years, we have gone back through the archives and curated a collection of iconic designs available for a limited time only.
We wanted to give you a sneak peek behind the curtain at how these retro masterpieces come to life. Below, you can see the evolution from the initial rough concepts to the finished screen-printed tees.
Step 1: The Rough Concept Sketch
Every design begins with a concept. Steven focuses on the joke and the composition first, capturing that authentic, slightly awkward posture found in old instructional children's books.
Step 2: Line Work and Refinement
Next, the sketches are digitized. The linework is cleaned up but kept deliberately imperfect to mimic the classic hand-drawn look of 70s print media.
Step 3: Separations and Vintage Color Palette
Finally, Steven applies his recognizable color palette. He uses muted, earthy tones mixed with vibrant retro pops, applying textures that give the shirt a worn-in, nostalgic feel right off the rack.
Grab Yours Before They're History
This 10th-anniversary collection is a celebration of a decade spent making the world laugh at the wonderfully weird.
These classic designs are strictly limited edition. Head down to your local hmv store to grab your piece of Steven Rhodes history before they disappear!
