Interview: A Modern Tradition

Tee shirt/Clothing company A Modern Tradition agreed to do this interview with us, Big thanks to Craig for taking the time to answer questions.

RB Could you give us a bit off an insite into the company and how the idea came about?

AMT  At the minute, i'd still say that the company is only still a hobby so to speak. We are a two man outfit. My personal influences are mainly from terrace culture and fashions.

The other lad involved is a skinhead, so we have some varied ideas to throw in the bag and his vast knowledge of music can be good inspiration for design ideas.

Ive wanted to put my designs on tees for some time now but until 80's Casuals came about i was always pretty naive about it being financially possible if im honest. That was a kind of

kick up the arse for me that working class lads could,and did go places in clothing. In the past ive put some of my designs on tees myself using various methods like a wooden homemade silk

screen,stencils and transfers that were worn by my myself and my mates.

What made you decide to go into the clothing industry?

Clothing is something that both of us involved in the project are passionate about. As anyone who is/has been heavily into football fashions will know, its all about attention to detail and quality.

I dont go to football very much these days, but im still heavily into looking stylish(and i still have a jacket obsession!) So this is the only industry for me. There is nothing more rewarding than

taking something from the drawing board to finally seeing it in the flesh........and then to top it off, to see someone wearing it!

RB Since there are other tee shirt brands out there that have the "casual" tag with them, How do you make your product stand out?

AMT  At this moment in time we are just doing our own thing. We dont consider ourselves as a competetor to any of the established tee labels. We have currently have a stock pile of ideas to take to the drawing board.

Some are very unique and others i suppose could be considered as Casual 'Cliches'. But we always add our won twist and try to be different where we can.

What happens from start to finish in the process off designing a new tee?

Some ideas will just pop in there and evolve!!! But in reailty, most ideas will be brainstormed from conversation, then to paper until we agree a final decision. Then the design process can begin.

Alot of the designs are drawn by hand and others using photography and graphics tools etc. Then, from there we will fire it over to our printer who will colour check it and print off some samples.

RB You plan on going into other areas off fashion or just concentrate on your tees?

AMT  At present, we are planning to focus on the t-shirts. We have had some quotes on other items including knitwear but we dont want to try and punch above our weight just yet. I think

they call it 'Gradual Progression'!!! But certainly yes, we do plan on designing and producing our own garments in the future.

 RB what factors come into choosing a manufacture an also about the quality off the fabric?

AMT We use super heavyweight ultra-cotton for all our tees.If a poor fabric is used then it basically jeopardises the whole process. We only use reputable brands who are tried and tested. I suppose its a case of 'you get what you pay for' and we want a quality finished product.

Check there website out: http://www.amoderntradition.co.uk/

Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Modern-Tradition/164752766881658?ref=ts