Three years ago, the European Space Agency landed a spacecraft on a comet, for the first time in human history, and sent a signal home. That was a huge achievement, but unfortunately overshadowed by the biggest fashion question ever. During the live stream coverage of the landing, one of the scientists, Dr Matt Taylor was interviewed in a bowling shirt covered with a pattern of cartoonish space chicks with guns, which was immediately flagged as inappropriate and degrading to women.

Of course someone could find the shirt offensive, but if you’re a nitpicker, you’ll find lots of stuff that you can be offended by. It just didn’t feel right, especially when we saw that poor scientist’s tearful apology for something that shouldn’t have been taken so seriously, instead of talking about landing on a comet which was a pretty big deal.

While we were focused on that space thing, Vedran asked me what I thought about the shirt and I honestly told him I thought it was pretty funny and that the characters look a bit Barbarellish. I guess it depends how you look at things – I’m into comics, so for me, they were just badass action heroines who are dealing with some badass space stuff. Anyway, once we discussed this matter, the obsessive quest for The Shirt began

The whole situation caused a so called shirtstorm, and soon it was all over the Internet – we found out that behind all this stands a young woman named Elly Prizeman. Elly made the shirt for her friend, the scientist, as a birthday present, and he chose to wear it on that special occasion. It was obviously the turning point in her career, because all of a sudden her shirts got really big media attention, it was covered in the press around the world and on several TV shows, receiving global support for her Shirtstorm Clothing brand.

And yeah, the shirt was pretty expensive at that time, so Vedran decided to wait a bit, with one eye opened. Last summer we had this crazy idea to ask this lady for a sponsorship – as you already know, we’re planning a pretty long trip, but the trip itself is not enough, you have to be cool all the way. So, we contacted her and asked if she would be willing to a couple of them for us – and she said yes! She was interested in our project and willing to help – and this is how we got one of our first international sponsors!

Those bowling / Hawaiian shirts are made in 100% cotton with black buttons and a breast pocket – they are custom tailored and you get to choose which pattern you like. Vedran chose the infamous space chicks, along with mermaids, and I set my eye on the topless cowboys and lovely señoritas. I was absolutely thrilled with this cowboy pattern because it makes such a beautiful statement. Not to mention the conversation starter potential.

We were very eager for the shirts to come, but when they arrived mine needed a bit more fitting, so Elly said we can send them back so she could modify them. Vedran was in a hurry that day, so he forgot to tape the package properly like he usually does, and we had a whole-evening-mission of saving the package from the main postal office before they send it to the UK. And by we I mean him. I stayed at home imagining my shirts falling out of a plane

So, here we are, few months later, presenting them. There are plenty more patterns, so check out her Elly Prizeman website, maybe you’ll find something for yourself, too. Thank you Elly!

So we found a place where we can blend in

Señoritas.

A detail of señorita’s print.

Merman.

A detail of a mermaid print.

Topless cowboys.

Badass space women.

They even match up pretty well.

Big thanks to our dear friend Tina Bauer for taking these photos. And of course, thanks to Cafe Bar Cuisine Alegria, who kindly let us use their beautiful space for this shooting. Be sure to visit when you’re in Zagreb.

Thanks for reading!