Because taking business cues from Disney has always been a good idea, has-been clothing retailer The Gap has teamed up with actually pretty cool (at least I thought so, I can't keep up with you kids) online t-shirt design community Threadless to release "Shadowplay" (see above), the latest shirt design to casually rip off Peter Saville's iconic artwork for Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures album sleeve.
| Related: Disney Unveils Unknown Pleasures-Inspired T-Shirt |
The t-shirt, on sale for $19.99 at the moment, was designed by a gentleman named Didier Geradin from Nancy, France. According to the product description:
Didier Gerardin's ideas come from observing and writing about what's going on around him. His favorite piece of art in his home is a reproduction of Andy Warhol's "Zebra." Didier feels famous every time one of his designs gets printed on a tee.
Um, I don't suppose "what's going on around him" happens to include a copy of Unknown Pleasures, would it? Seriously, come on, guys. I get it, honestly I do—whatever underground "indie cred" Joy Division and et al might have left has been gobbled up by giant corporate Blue Meanies like Disney and The Gap. I accept that. But can't we at least recognize Peter Saville's original artwork? Give the guy some credit and (gasp) a piece of the cut… you know, like you're supposed to do when using a piece of copyrighted work? ("WTF!" tweeted @P_Saville_Assoc earlier today in response to you know what.)
Can't we just give the Unknown Pleasures t-shirts and Kurt Cobain Mickey Mouse figures a rest? I have to assume that, should any serious Joy Division fan purchase a t-shirt from The Gap, a lightning bolt will instantly strike them dead. And, well, you hate to see anyone getting hurt over a lame t-shirt design. Can we call a cease-fire here, Gap? I'll go back to what I do best (bitching about other non-issues in a semi-professional capacity) and you guys can go back to what you do best (selling boring clothes and thinking and thinking swing music is still cool). Deal?
Have any thoughts on this inexplicable new wave of Unknown Pleasures clothing co-opts? Share your two cents in the comments section below.
Follow on Ology: Brett Warner | MusicOlogy
Follow on Twitter: @Erasurehead | @Music_Ologists
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment!