Let Your T-Shirt Do The Talking
Wearable Art from By Bel.
Nothing makes a greater statement than a kick ass graphic t-shirt. For years, the graphic t has long been regarded one of the greatest inventions of all time…ok, maybe I made that part up. Nevertheless, your choice of Graphic T is certainly an indication of individualism and maybe even a little bit of rebellion – powering you with the ability to say “Hey! I give a shit about this and I’m gonna show it” This year, we’re embracing obscure, elegant and out-of-the-box passion. It’s time we let ourselves be inspired by those who are willing to speak out about what sparks a light in their life.
While scrolling through social media, it’s so easy to become doubtful by the inauthentic. Often times, we mindlessly follow a plethora of influencers who are paid to convince us that their life is brighter and better. As they create false pretenses as to how we should look and who we should aspire to be, it’s hard for us not to feel overwhelmed and uninspired. But you know what? It’s time to take control – make our own statement. Yes, social media can be detrimental – but there is a trick. Instead of following influencers try to follow artists, creators and dreamers. Trust me, you will start to see a difference. After doing exactly this, I came across Annabel Scanlen, artist + designer who combined her love for fashion and art to create By Bel. – a collection of sustainable and totally kick ass cotton t-shirts designed and illustrated by Scanlen herself.
When did you start creating art and what inspires you most as an artist?
Like many of us I began making art when I was very young, but I started to seriously commit my time to a more technical art process towards the end of my school years. I completed short courses during school holidays to improve my skill set and this aided in developing my own style. The human form is something I find really inspiring. The way bodies work and move is intriguing to me and I find there's so much to explore there visually through language and also conceptually.
What inspired you to start By Bel Design?
By Bel. began through my personal interest in fashion and art combined. I wanted to produce a brand that celebrates these two avenues, whilst also making art more accessible - in a wearable and portable sense. Art is widely known as expensive, and often traditionally protected, with pieces made to admire from afar. I felt that there was an opportunity to offer my pieces at reasonable prices to consumers who shared a strong interest in unique art and fashion.
How do you keep your t-shirts sustainable?
Sustainability for By Bel. starts at cotton. All of our tees are made with Australian cotton which has twice the yield and uses half the water of other cottons. The high quality of this cotton means that our tees are already soft and therefore the need for toxic acid wash is eliminated.
From a manufacturing viewpoint our tees are made in a factory accredited by the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) organization. WRAP is an independent, objective, non-profit team of global social compliance experts dedicated to promoting safe, lawful and humane manufacturing. We also use Heropack zero waste mailers to ship all of our products. They are made of cornstarch and cassava roots and breakdown within 90 days in a compostable environment.
In addition By Bel. as a brand conducts small scale production and only prints limited runs of designs to ensure that no waste of product is generated. This was one of the most important parts for me when starting By Bel. I wanted to produce pieces that feel exclusive and unique, and by keeping our numbers low and our creativity through design high I could achieve this. Also, this way the value of the garment is not diminished through the excessive number of units produced.
What was on your mood-board when creating this collection of t-shirts?
Neutral colour palettes , classic tee cuts, and art. That’s about it.
What have been some of the biggest challenges for you? As an artist and a designer?
The biggest challenge would definitely be fighting perfection. I was never truly satisfied with my designs and my works, and I don't think I ever will be. I am constantly wanting to improve and progress. This is probably the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with, because usually when I finish a project- its done, and I can put it to bed and explore something new. That’s not how businesses work, and I can’t do that with my t-shirt brand- so definitely having that self confidence and persistence to stick to something I've created- and promote it, has been hard, but a great lesson in learning to appreciate and take pride in what I have produced.
As we learn more about the fashion industry, we are continuously inspired by designers who have beautifully connected and integrated their passion for art and sustainability. Designers and artists like Scanlen are changemakers of the industry – inspiring us all to connect what we love with our love for the planet. Oh and next time you’re looking for a totally bitchin’ look – just remember that you could never go wrong with a classic t. Preferable By Bel. ;)
Words: Kiana Kanoa
Models: @33jack3 @yarafayssal
All photos in this collection were shot in 35mm film - photos @kianakanoa