Self-Referential Tees

The Kickstarter T-Shirt is a Creative Way to Self-Promote

The Kickstarter T-Shirt, created by company cofounder Yancey Strickler, plays with the website's predominant iconography in a very clever way. The T-shirt, called 'this is not a Kickstarter T-shirt,' has the number of backers, the amount of money raised and the number days left for the project printed on it. The self-referential T-shirt will have the stats from its own project printed on it. If three hundred people invest and buy the t-shirt and it raises $5,000, those numbers will be printed on the tee.

This Kickstarter project is a cerebral one that is essentially producing limited edition t-shirts for anyone that wants one. Strickler envisions the self-selecting Kickstarter T-shirt group to have a unique experience when they meet each other wearing their apparel randomly in public.

Self-referential Apparel
The trend of creating self-referential clothing items that play with symbols and icons of popular websites can be leveraged by brands to engage with their online audience.
Crowdfunding Merchandise
The trend of creating branded merchandise through crowdfunding platforms can be a lucrative source of revenue for startups and small businesses.
Limited Edition T-shirts
The trend of producing limited edition t-shirts as a marketing strategy can be an effective way for businesses to create a sense of exclusivity and increase brand awareness.

Sectors Adopting This

Fashion
The fashion industry can use the trend of self-referential apparel to create playful, unique designs that resonate with consumers.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms can leverage the trend of crowdfunding merchandise to attract more creators and provide their users with a wider variety of products.
Marketing
Businesses can use the trend of producing limited edition t-shirts as a marketing strategy to generate buzz and promote their brands in a cost-effective way.
SCORE
0.9 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 1%
Activity 18%
Freshness 8%