Obey and Cheap Monday's Future!

I foresee both Obey and Cheap Monday having a long successful future ahead of them. Cheap Monday will need to prove to the world their brand is more than just a pair of trendy straight leg jeans and focus on the many other great aspects the brand has to offer. As long as Sheppard Fairey can stay out of Jail Obey will go far as a brilliant mixture of street style and art. They should stay close to their roots while continuing to bring awareness to their costumers about political and social issues.

Obama + Obey

The Obama image did come with its share of CONTROVERSY. Fairey’s bashers claim that he stole and then repurposed other artist’s work and ideas for his own gain – a stigma that has dogged him over the years. Months after the election and long after the OBAMA HOPE image became a lasting cultural icon, the Associated Press threatened to sue Fairey seeking credit and compensation. Fairey freely admits his portrait was based on a photograph taken by the AP’s Manny Garcia, but argues that his version’s authenticity is protected under “fair use” law. Rather than get bullied by the media giant, Fairey sued it. He’s asking a judge to rule that he did not infringe on a copyright because the nature and meaning of the photograph were dramatically changed. A landmark legal battle is now pending. Fairey also acknowledges that to create the Obama portrait he borrowed from themes Emory Douglas explored in The Black Panther Newspaper during the civil right’s struggles of the 1960’s. Some cite it as another example of thievery; others call it a clear indicator that Fairey supports domestic terrorism. He thinks the criticism is crazy citing a newfound appropriateness to the REVOLUTIONARY power of the Black Panther art and the relevant symbolism of the group’s “do it yourself” mentality.

Jail Time..Wah Wah

The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston hosted a 20 year retrospective of Fairey’s art on February 6, 2009 (quite impressive considering it came just nine days before his 39th birthday). Thousands showed up for opening night, including Fairey wearing an OBEY sweatshirt and carrying a stack of stickers. He was supposed to deejay the event, but didn’t even make it through the front door. Instead, PISSED OFF police were waiting outside with an unwelcome present – handcuffs. Even though he shared smiles with Boston’s mayor earlier in the week, Fairey was hauled off to jail and charged with the vandalism of buildings that he’d tagged much earlier in his career. Apparently the admission to a history of graffiti in the Boston area during the media blitz promoting the ICA show didn’t sit well with law enforcement. It was Fairey’s 15th and most sensational arrest. He’s fought the law before and vows that CENSORSHIP will never win.

“I’ve always gotten a rush from the idea that I’m doing something that you’re not supposed to do,” Fairey says. “I’m communicating with people when usually the corporations and government have all these forms of communication locked down. I still enjoy inspiring people to think they can express themselves any way they want. It’s so fulfilling knowing that anything I put up on the street is going to be seen by hundreds of thousands of people. Also because it’s illegal, I’m saying that I believe enough in what I’m doing to take a risk of getting arrested. The older I get, the more legal outs I have, but I still think it’s just as important to work both inside and outside the system. It’s not like I’ve been absorbed or co-opted, I will forever have the ability to say what I want on the street.”It’s influence that drives Shepard Fairey, much more than the projection of his image. His music posters praise revolutionaries and inspire people to LISTEN! Instead of promoting pretty sunsets, Fairey demands that we WAKE-UP to climate change. His message about Iraq: “Next time there’s a war for sale, it’s alright to say, ‘No thank you!’” Attacking politics as usual is usually what Fairey does, but in 2008, he saw HOPE on the horizon and created what became an iconic piece of art that had as much meat in the presidential election as a heaping pot of Oprah Winfrey’s chat stew.

One of the reasons “YES WE CAN” turned into “YES WE DID” elect our nation’s first African American president was Fairey’s Obama poster series. The red, white and blue images appeared on countless home windows, computer screens, billboards and street signs across the country. They became portraits of CHANGE, symbols of HOPE and PROGRESS reports on America’s dying prejudices. Voters associated the posters, and more importantly, Obama’s message, with strength, courage and leadership. In the end, Barack Obama, “a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant,” stood before 1.8 million people on a frigid January afternoon and took our country’s most sacred oath.

Far less significant, but stunning in its own right, is the ride that street art took during the election. An often overlooked and marginalized subset of creative minds suddenly became RELEVANT and INFLUENTIAL to our mainstream culture. Fairey was already an urban LEGEND. He had been creating anti-Bush posters for years, and was no stranger to political art. But this election was different. Instead of REBELLING against government, he helped lead a REVOLUTION that believed in its potential. By definition Fairey’s Obama images were still propaganda, but because the thinking behind them was spun 180 degrees, they launched him and his genre into the artistic stratosphere. Fairey’s art made the front page of the New York Times, Esquire put one of his Obama images on its cover and Time commissioned its own version for the magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue. Fairey made GQ’s “2008 Men of the Year” list along with Obama, Michael Phelps, Sean Penn, the Boston Celtics and others. Then, the true indicator of Fairey’s success – a booking on “The Colbert Report.”

For as entertaining as his appearance on Comedy Central was, the connection between Obama and Fairey is even more amusing. That’s because Shepard’s rap sheet is nearly as many pages as the president’s economic stimulus package. While their methods may be different, the common bond that links the artist and politician is community ACTIVISM. Obama rallied for laid off factory workers in Chicago’s South Side and helped Bill Clinton carry Illinois in 1992 by registering 150,000 new voters. Fairey has donated his work, time and money to gay rights, animal adoption and energy efficiency causes, and his poster campaign, complete with video postcards, bumper stickers, t-shirts and other merchandise is credited with helping Obama reach The White House.

CHEEEEAAAAPPPP MOOOONNNNDAAAAYYYYY! Pictures

Going Green for Cheap Monday and Obey!

Cheap Monday and Obey are already brands that makes conscience efforts to help the environment, but they could improve upon this by having a system of recycling with their clothing. They could have a turn around with past seasons garments and trade them in to receive a discount on their next purchase. 

Obey could start a trash pick up campaign..considering Obey's initial success came from tagging the streets.

Cheap Monday should continue to strive to use organic cotton in their products as a way of staying green. 

A third way that Obey could go green would be to use Organic cotton and dyes in their tshirt design. 

Power Switch

Swedish high street retailer Hennes & Maurits, announced signing Fabric Scandinavian AB. The privately owned fashion company is behind store chains Weekday and Monki. The Swedish fashion group also designs and sells fashion through a number of own brands, such as Cheap Monday. The turnover for the financial year 2007/08 is expected to reach approximately SEK 400 million. The company will be run as a stand alone subsidiary within the H&M Group.

 

The subsidiary Weekday Brands designs, produces and runs wholesale selling of young fashion. Its largest own brand is Cheap Monday, primarily a denim line. The idea behind Cheap Monday is fashion at good prices, similar to H&M's business idea; fashion and quality at the best price. Cheap Monday is sold in more than 1,000 stores globally. Among the brands are also MTWTFSS Weekday and Sunday Sun.

H&M acquires 60 percent of the shares in Fabric Scandinavian for SEK 564 million in cash. Sellers are the founders Adam Friberg, Lars Karlsson, Örjan Andersson and Linda Friberg. They will all continue to work within the company. In connection with the transaction the parties entered into agreement according to which H&M has the possibility/obligation to acquire the remaining shares in the company within three to five years. The total turnover of the Group's business was approximately SEK 250 million during the financial year 2006/07, with an operating result of SEK 67 million. The expected turnover for the financial year 2007/08 is approximately SEK 400 million with continued good profitability. The employment conditions for the 300 employees will not change as a result of the transaction. The transaction is conditioned by acceptance of relevant competition authorities.

 

Art and Politics

Political Power?

It has been said the Shepard Fairey is destined to be the new Andy Warhol as a pop cultural icon. Fairey has enjoyed overnight fame with his Obama campaign posters which are now being snapped up by collectors. His signed limited edition Obama posters, which Fairey issued almost weekly during the campaign and sold for $45, now fetch thousands on eBay. For example, a stencilled "Hope" poster sold for $60,000. His posters now hang in the Smithsonian and his images have graced the cover of Time and Esquire.

Fairey's posters look like a cross between Soviet propaganda and a Warhol silkscreen. During the inauguration thousands of spectators snapped up the Obama images. Fairey said, "I don't do any of it for the money." The key benefit was to support his man to get to the White House.

It seems fitting that Obama's reliance on democratic, grassroots organization and communication is now best immortalized by a street artist. The Fairey images go beyond likeness to become an expression of the shared conviction between new leader and those he has inspired.

Shepard Fairey's innovative website Obeygiant can be perused here. The site has a slogan, "Manufacturing quality dissent since 1989 with propaganda engineering."

Recently Fairey created an image for Google for Martin Luther King Day on January 19. Also he designed new shopping bags and billboards for Saks Fifth Avenue and their "Want It" campaign for the spring. His distinctive constructivist art style is seen here:Any thoughts about Shepard Fairey's iconic style? Why is it receiving enthusiastic attention?

Political Power?

Most heard opinion why Obama won the presidential election last year is because of the effective use of social media. True. But also very important was the Hope-poster made by Shepard Fairey. How a piece of design went viral. 
Now Shepard Fairey made new stunning work portraiting imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma.

“This Human Rights cause is something I believe in strongly,” said Fairey. “I created this portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi to raise awareness of her on-going house arrest and the oppressive nature of the military regime ruling Burma.”

“Aung San Suu Kyi is the Nelson Mandela of Asia,” said Jack Healey, the head of the Human Rights Action Center. “Shepard’s tribute to her will remind the world she is the rightful leader of Burma in a powerful way. I always felt it was his image that galvanized the Obama movement, God willing, it will do the same for Aung San Suu Kyi and those fighting for human rights in her name.”

”In a world in which we all too often focus on differences, Aung San Suu Kyi is a unifying figure that people of all political persuasions can work to support. Shepard’s image encapsulates that very point beautifully,” said Jeremy Woodrum, director of the U.S. Campaign for Burma. “The Burmese people have appealed for our help – let’s give it to them.”

The “Freedom To Lead” campaign has partnered with Causecast, an online global community and social action network. 
More at the dedicated website from Causecast, and Twitter.

L.E.A.D UGANDA AUCTION

Social Responsibility

SHEPARD X L.E.A.D. UGANDA

Stephen Shames, and his art dealer, Steven Kasher, approached Shepard Fairey earlier this year about creating artworks to support L.E.A.D. Uganda, an educational leadership program founded by Shames that locates vulnerable children with innate talents and molds them into leaders.

Fairey agreed to create and donate two unique mixed media collages, valued at $12,000 each, and two editions of 450 prints, which sell for $75 each. The collages and prints will be auctioned off on November 12 at the Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 West 23rd Street, New York, along with works by other noted photographers, among them Joyce Tenneson, Dan Winters, Michal Chelbin, and Lynn Bianchi. The Fairey prints are based on Uganda photographs by Stephen Shames. Fairey had previously created a suite of works based on Shames’ iconic portrait of Angela Davis, which is in the National Portrait Gallery. Fairey received acclaim for his iconic poster of President Obama.  THE PRINTS ARE ON SALE NOW at www.leaduganda.org

ART AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR L.E.A.D UGANDA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 , 6:30 PM
Steven Kasher Gallery, New York

“My work is about trying to make striking, provocative images that can lead people to take an interest in social issues that I care about – whether it is what is going on in Darfur or Uganda or any other form of injustice that is happening around the world,” said Shepard Fairey. “When Stephen talked to me about his foundation, I thought this is an incredible mission. If I can help raise money for L.E.A.D. Uganda, and also have the chance to make some beautiful artwork based on Stephen’s compelling photographs – this is a very symbiotic situation.”

“I have long admired Shepard’s work and commitment to social justice. I am delighted to collaborate with him to help our children,” said Stephen Shames. “I’d like to thank Shepard and all the photographers who donated prints to the auction, for their generosity. Their support makes it possible for L.E.A.D Uganda’s children to attend the best schools, where they earn high marks and gain self-esteem. Our scholars experience the healing and transforming powers of education. They will become leaders in the country they love. They will help Africa and the world.”

L.E.A.D Uganda, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, locates children living on the edges of society – AIDS orphans, former child soldiers, child laborers – and gives them the world class, 21st century skills necessary to lead Africa into the future. The goal is to help Africans become equal partners in a world of democracy and prosperity. All proceeds from the event will go towards the education L.E.A.D Uganda’s students.

This event is open to the public and admission is free. Stephen Magezi, Deputy Director of L.E.A.D Uganda in Kampala, Uganda will speak briefly about L.E.A.D Uganda. There will be music by saxophonist Hayes Greenfield. Steve Shames will sign copies of his new book Transforming Lives: Turning Uganda’s Forgotten Children Into Leader (Star Bright Books). The book tells the inspirational stories of thirteen children in the program.

Obey: Article by Morgan Rogers

      Obey is a shopping brand on the clothing side of the label, but is a luxury brand at its art level with prints near the thousand dollar range.  Obey’s brand differs from other clothing brands because it started as a more of a street art project. A way for self expression in unlikely places. This “tagging” is still going on and there are many street teams devoted to its cause. The brand works with causes such as 180 South, the 11^th Hour, the Hope Campaign, and Rock the Vote all in which allow people to get informed through other mediums like art and fashion. The training required to sell this brand would be to explain the meaning behind the start of the brand and its background, energetic customer service, personal style, appreciation for art, and understanding of evolving current world issues and knowledge of the brands target customer.

Cheap Monday: Article by Morgan Rogers

 The Cheap Monday brand and products are associated with high fashion design with moderate budget pricing. They are associated with convenience of online shopping and having a variety of retailers. Another element of the Cheap Monday brand is their position in helping the environment and an idea that they call “Humanism” for their employees. Humanism to them is about seeing people as equal value, with respect to human rights and diversity. They also strive towards a safe environmental approach in their production and the farming of the fibers they use.  Cheap Monday with all its good press and innovative design has recently received negative press about the logo they developed to go on their products. The logo is a skull head with a speak bubble that says Cheap Monday, but what’s making headlines is the upside down cross in the skulls forehead. Orjan Anderson, creator of the brand, stated, “I believe in neither the devil nor God. I’m not interested in religion; I’m more interested if the logo looks good.”Logo designer Bjorn Atldax states, “It is an active statement against Christianity. I’m not a Satanist myself, but I have a great dislike for organized religion.”The training required to sell this brand would be to explain the meaning behind the logo to customers with concerns about it, energetic customer service, knowing the background information of the company, personal style yourself, and knowledge of the brands target customer. 

Obey prints

  

Posted Oct. 23, 2009, 2:35 p.m. ET

SHEPARD FAIREY GOES DENIM

BY LUIGI TADI    

Street artist Shepard Fairey was catapulted to superstardom last year when he created the iconic “Hope” poster capturing the mood of an entire country in the days preceding Obama’s historic presidential win. Pioneering jeans company Levi’s, throughout its lengthy history, has proven to capture the masses' demand for durable products dressing men and women from the cotton fields to artist studios, so it is no surprise that these two creative forces would join together to unveil a new collection of street-inspired styles Obey x Levi's. The collection of distressed denims and Fairey-designed graphic tees (which feature hangtags emblazoned with Fairey's signature Andre the Giant graphic) are priced between $35 and $148, and in commemoration of the launch, the artist will unveil a series of four collectible poster designs which will be given away with purchase. The night of the Obey x Levi's launch, Oct. 29, will offer fans have the chance to meet Fairey for an autographing session at Levi's flagship store in Times Square. The line will be carried in select stores nationwide, and lucky for us New Yorkers, it will be available in both Levi's Times  Square and SoHo locations.

'Hope' creator Shepard Fairey to design Levi's collection

October 27, 2009 (USA)

This October, the Levi's brand - the name responsible for the invention of the blue jean - continues its ever-evolving relationship with acclaimed street artist Shepard Fairey by unveiling Obey x Levi's, a collection of co-designed, street-inspired styles for men. Obey x Levi's is a celebration of the renegade spirit embraced by both pioneering partners and features denim silhouettes, distress details, and finishes inspired by Fairey's personal collection of Levi's jeanswear and collaboratively developed by Levi's and Fairey.  The highly-collectible Obey x Levi's capsule collection will be carried exclusively at select Levi's Store locations in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Santa Monica. The collection will be available beginning October 29.To commemorate the launch of the collection, on October 29 Fairey will unveil a series of four new poster designs at a live art installation outside The Levi's Store in New York City's Times Square. Once Fairey completes the installation, he will meet-and-greet event participants while autographing free museum-quality reproductions of his new posters.  The series of four limited-edition Shepard Fairey posters will be given away as a free gift, while supplies last, with the purchase of any item from the Obey x Levi's collection in the following Levi's Store locations: Times Square and Soho in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, Santa Monica and Chicago. The front side of each of the four double-sided posters features artwork that exists as a stand-alone piece. The reverse side of each poster also includes one piece of a oversized mural image specially designed by Fairey.  "I've always felt that keeping my art bold, simple and refined was a way to cut through the clutter, and it's a formula that Levi's has been using for decades that keeps them accessible and populist yet stylish and relevant," said Shepard Fairey. "The posters I created for Levi's are returns to the roots of my style: one side with an industrial propaganda poster feel that connects with the heritage of Levi's as a brand for workers, and the reverse side reflecting my other biggest influence, punk rock, and the connection of Levi's to punk and rock in general." "Shepard Fairey is a groundbreaking innovator who has changed the way art is perceived and consumed in our world today. His revolutionary work uniquely reflects the optimistic, pioneering spirit of the Levi's brand, making Obey x Levi's a truly authentic collaboration," said Doug Sweeny, vice president of Marketing for the Levi's brand. "As fans and loyal supporters of Shepard's pioneering art, we are proud to introduce this special clothing collection rooted in Shepard's favorite Levi's styles." A graduate of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, Shepard Fairey was catapulted to super stardom last year when his "Hope" poster became the predominant image of President Obama's successful campaign. But it was Fairey's "Obey" guerilla art campaign that first gained mass attention nearly a decade ago. His now infamous "Obey" images of Worldwide Wrestling Federation star Andre the Giant continue to appear on public canvases worldwide today and inspired Fairey to create OBEY Clothing - a collection of street and skate-inspired apparel he introduced in 2001.  Fairey's unique art and view of the world captured the attention of many fans at Levi's and in 2002, the brand proudly sponsored Authentik - one of Fairey's first art shows. The show, which was held at the Levi's Vortex Gallery in the San Francisco Levi's Store, marked the beginning of the relationship between Fairey and his favorite denim brand. Since then, there have been several collaborative projects including a series of one-of-a-kind "Obey" 501 jean art pieces, a timeline portrait collection of punk and rap music trailblazers and a silk-screened image of Levi Strauss that Fairey created to pay homage to Levi's jeans founder. Earlier this year, the Levi's brand proudly sponsored Fairey's first-ever, career retrospective museum exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Levi's and Fairey also created a co-designed denim tote bag that was sold exclusively at the ICA Boston's museum shop to commemorate the show and benefit the museum.  The launch of the Obey x Levi's collection is the latest result of the ongoing collaborative relationship between Levi's and Fairey relationship. The line consists of a tightly-edited assortment of eight essential menswear pieces that showcase fits, finishes, rips, patches and design details selected by Fairey and inspired by his personal collection of Levi's denim. Each piece is a hand-customized original, punctuated by "spray paint" drip details, stenciled art imagery, pins and "wear and repair" finishing touches. The collection is replete with exclusive branding details including an "Obey" Giant tab-device that lives alongside the iconic Levi's Red Tab and a "Two-Horse" rear waistband patch that also includes a stylized "Obey" Giant face. Artfully executed, the Obey x Levi's collection is aggressively worn to evoke the look and feel of one's favorite pair of jeans. Each pair of jeans, denim jacket and flannel shirt comes with a specially designed, co-branded bandana. The collection consists of: • Obey x Levi's 511 Skinny Jean in black over-dyed denim with various distressed "Obey" patch details. • Obey x Levi's 514 Slim Straight Jean -The jeans Fairey wears modernized with a dimensional, textural finish, custom destruction and "Obey" patchwork. • Obey x Levi's "Spray It" Trucker Denim Jacket featuring spray-paint drip details, a sewn-in black French terry hood, covert interior pockets and custom artwork throughout the interior of the jacket. • Obey x Levi's "Bomb" Trucker Denim Jacket, in a black, top-coated, blue denim punctuated by a tonal black spray-painted surface, "Obey" patches, herringbone tape inserts, covert and custom, exclusive artwork sewn into the jacket's interior. • Obey x Levi's Overdyed Flannel Woven Shirt, featuring pigment, spray paint and bleach drip details and custom surface patches. • A series of three Obey x Levi's super soft, aged t-shirts, each featuring collaborative artwork.   Levi's

Oki-ni Article on Spring 2008

New Obey Spring ‘08 collection! This season their campaign can be explained as an experiment in Phenomenology. “THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE” – With great designs, patterns and colors incorporated into the collection, it’s a free spirited look that anyone can pull off. I’ve got to admit, I’m not a huge Obey rocker but after seeing some of their Spring line, I’d like to cop a few pieces. Take a look at a few items that caught my eye from their look book.

Fashion Week by Berns Article

CHEAP MONDAY

Today Cheap Monday is a full concept denim brand, but it's only five years since the first pair of denims with the characteristic skull logo hit the market. The first pair, a tight fitted denim with stretch, was originally made as a product exclusive for the Weekday stores. The concept and design was a direct reaction to the increasingly expensive denim flourishing on the market at the time. It was an immediate success and the collection, now carrying both a wider denim range and tops soon grew too big to be carried by the Weekday stores alone.

After five years our idea still remains: to offer the customer fashion at an extremely good price. By putting Cheap Monday alongside more expensive brands in good stores where we like to shop ourselves, we aim to create clothes that compete with high-end brands both in attitude and fashion level as well as in quality.

Cheap Monday started in March 2004 when the tight denim with the characteristic skull logo first hit the market. But to tell the story correctly we have to go back to November 2000 when Orjan, Adam and two of their friends opened a small second hand store in a Stockholm suburb. The store was called Weekend and was only open during Saturdays and Sundays. Despite its remote location, and thanks to a very good selection of garments, the store went well and the decision to team up with Lasse and open a bigger shop in central Stockholm was taken. The store was a full-time concept, open every day of the week, and therefore got the name Weekday. From the start, they carried high fashion and exclusive denim brands mixed with second hand clothing - a blend that attracted the young and trendy. Some of the denim sold in the shop was very expensive and Orjan felt there was a need for cheaper, but still fashionable jeans. The first style Tight was born, and at this point made exclusively as an in-store brand. An unwashed, very tight fitted stretch denim jean for a shockingly good price! It was an immediate success and the first 800 pairs sold out in a couple of weeks. The skull logo, fashioned by a Mexican death mask, was made by their friends Bjorn and Karl who had helped them with imagery for the store. Cheap Monday was named after the cheapest day of the week when all your money is spent on weekend fun.  CHEAP MONDAY WOMENS CHEAP MONDAY MENS BACK TO DESIGNERS INDEX

Satanic logo not hurting sales of Swedish jeans

Designer hopes to spread anti-Christian message; others just like the style

updated 2:53 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec . 30, 2005

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - A punk-rock style, trendy tight fit and affordable price have made Cheap Monday jeans a hot commodity among young Swedes, but what has people talking is the brand’s ungodly logo: a skull with a cross turned upside down on its forehead.

The jeans’ makers say it’s more of a joke, but the logo’s designer said there is a deeper message.

“It is an active statement against Christianity,” Bjorn Atldax told The Associated Press. “I’m not a Satanist myself, but I have a great dislike for organized religion."

Atldax insists he has a purpose beyond selling denim: to make young people question Christianity, which he called a “force of evil” that had sparked wars throughout history.

Such a remark might incite outrage or prompt retailers to drop the brand in more religious countries.

But not in Sweden, a secular nation which cherishes its free speech and where churchgoing has been declining for decades.

Cheap Mondays are flying off the shelves at about $50 a pair. The jeans have also been shipped throughout Europe and to Australia, and there are plans to introduce them to the United States and elsewhere.

The jeans’ makers say about 200,000 pairs have been sold since March 2004, and they say they have received few complaints about the grinning skull and upside-down cross, a symbol often associated with satanic worship.

Even the country’s largest church, the Lutheran Church of Sweden, reacts with a shrug.

“I don’t think it’s much to be horrified about,” said Bo Larsson, director of the church’s Department of Education, Research and Culture.

“It is abundantly clear that this designer wants to create public opinion against the Christian faith. ... But I believe that the way to deal with this is to start a discussion about what religion means.”

Other Christians, however, are calling for a tougher stance against the jeans.

“One cannot just keep quiet about this,” said the Rev. Karl-Erik Nylund, vicar of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Stockholm. “This is a deliberate provocation (against Christians), and I object to that.”

Nylund complained that Swedish companies don’t treat Christianity with the same respect they afford other religions.

“No one wants to provoke Jews or Muslims, but it’s totally OK to provoke Christians,” he said.

Some buyers have ripped off the logo from the back of the pants or even returned the jeans once they realized what the symbol means. But such cases are very few, according to the brand’s creator, Orjan Andersson, who said he doesn’t take the logo too seriously.

“I’m not interested in religion,” he said. “I’m more interested in that the logo looks good.”

Henrik Petersson, 26, said he picked up his first pair of Cheap Mondays a few months after they were launched because he liked their punk-rocker style and the logo caught his eye.

“I think it’s a cool thing. It stands out from the rest,” he said. “I haven’t really reflected over whether there is an underlying message.”

Martin Sundberg, 32, co-owner of a clothing store in Stockholm’s trendy SoFo district, said people shouldn’t get upset over the jeans.

“It’s just supposed to be a bit of fun, some kind of anti-culture,” he said.

The jeans are selling in Norway, Denmark, Britain, the Netherlands and France. Andersson, the brand’s owner, hopes to tap the lucrative U.S. market soon — and said he isn’t worried the logo will hurt sales.

“Surely, most people understand that we are not evil people,” he said. “My mom doesn’t think so, at least.”

nylon tv: SHEPARD FAIREY + LEVI’S + TIMES SQUARE

nylon tv: SHEPARD FAIREY + LEVI’S + TIMES SQUARE

       Obey is sold in twenty different countries worldwide as well as online distributors. In Tennessee, you can find Obey products at Buckle and Lansky Brothers. Online retailers include Karmaloop.com as well as ObeyGiant.com. A customer shopping for this particular brand at these retailers would expect them to be just as informed and concerned with world topics and humanity as Obey is. Obey is a shopping brand on the clothing side of the label, but is a luxury brand at its art level with prints near the thousand dollar range.

Obey’s brand differs from other clothing brands because it started as a more of a street art project. A way for self expression in unlikely places. This “tagging” is still going on and there are many street teams devoted to its cause. The brand works with causes such as 180 South, the 11^th Hour, the Hope Campaign, and Rock the Vote all in which allow people to get informed through other mediums like art and fashion.