# Funemployment Fashion Irina Blok's Buttons and Shirts Make Fun of Joblessness By Shelby Lee Walsh | Published 2009-06-22 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funemployment-irina-blok-crafts-buttons-and-shirts References: [zoomdoggle](http://zoomdoggle.com/2009/06/get-funemployment/) & [irinablok](http://www.irinablok.com/index.php?/experimental/funemployed/) Newly unemployed graphic designer Irina Blok decided it was time to laugh about our troubles and in doing so, birthed the idea for her ‘Funemployment’ Collection. There is an old saying that says, “If you don’t laugh, you cry,” and this sentiment has never been more true with the [economic crisis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moneylighter) that has been emptying our wallets. Irina Blok’s collection features [pins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/esc-keys) that will lighten your spirits for a mere $2. Who wouldn’t want a pin that says, “Unemployed and overcaffeinated?” Or “I buy caviar with food stamps”? Blok will even put your [resume on a t-shirt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reszames) for you so you are a walking billboard for your own employment. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Humorous Unemployment Merchandise:** Creating humorous merchandise related to unemployment crisis can be a disruptive idea for the merchandise industry - **Personalized Job-seeking Attire:** Providing personalized job-seeking attire such as t-shirts with resumes can be a disruptive idea for the fashion industry - **Affordable Pick-me-up Items:** Designing and selling affordable pick-me-up items like pins and buttons can be a disruptive idea for the retail industry ### Who This Affects Most - **Merchandise Industry:** The merchandise industry can benefit from adding humor to the unemployment discussion and creating customized job-seeking products - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry can offer job seekers personalized attire such as resume t-shirts to distinguish themselves and stand out in a crowded job market - **Retail Industry:** Retail industry can innovate by designing, producing and offering affordable pick-me-up items that can bring a smile to others and make people feel better. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheeky Holiday Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conversation-stoppers.md) - [Viral Oversized Waistband Hoodies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfinished-apparel.md) - [Empathic Emporium Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fml-store.md) - [Bakery-Themed Apparel Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/road-bread.md) - [Connection-Driven Apparel Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cool-to-connect-1.md) - [Creative Frustration Outlets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/punch-your-client.md) - [Limited-Edition April Fool's Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oops-collection.md) - [Sex-Positive Art Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carne-bollente-3.md) - [Viral Criminal Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-can-fix-him.md)