"Alternative's blanks add the most value to our finished product. Being able to source a lower-cost basic tee as well as a fashion-forward, higher-end blank from the same company simplifies our production."
-MAGGIE KLEINPETER, SUPERMAGGIE
Super-cool, art-focused clothing brand Supermaggie screen prints its own designs on fashion-forward apparel.
"Each shirt is a little unique," says Maggie Kleinpeter, founder, creative director and self-dubbed boss lady at Supermaggie. "Alternative's vintage and slub fabrics, and unique cuts add to the handmade, one-of-a kind nature of our shirts."
Kleinpeter personally designs all the art for the line. "Our apparel is all hand-printed in small batches on a six-color manual press," she says. "We hand-mix our ink in small batches, too. Our work stands out because of our roots in art and craft."
After Kleinpeter graduated art school with lots of student loan debt and no job prospects in 2001, she founded Supermaggie in New York City. "I did my first screen-printed tees in my painting studio with a 6" x 8" hand-held screen that was more like a stamp (anybody remember Gocco?)," she says. "I even had to heat-set the ink with an iron."
As the popularity of Kleinpeter's shirts grew in little craft markets around the city, she upgraded to more professional equipment and began selling to stores. In 2004, Michael Pittard, Kleinpeter's then-boyfriend and now husband, joined her full time in the venture, and the duo moved the business to Austin, Texas.
Since the beginning, the Supermaggie team has used Alternative pieces.
Kleinpeter personally designs all the art for the line. "Our apparel is all hand-printed in small batches on a six-color manual press," she says. "We hand-mix our ink in small batches, too. Our work stands out because of our roots in art and craft."
After Kleinpeter graduated art school with lots of student loan debt and no job prospects in 2001, she founded Supermaggie in New York City. "I did my first screen-printed tees in my painting studio with a 6" x 8" hand-held screen that was more like a stamp (anybody remember Gocco?)," she says. "I even had to heat-set the ink with an iron."
As the popularity of Kleinpeter's shirts grew in little craft markets around the city, she upgraded to more professional equipment and began selling to stores. In 2004, Michael Pittard, Kleinpeter's then-boyfriend and now husband, joined her full time in the venture, and the duo moved the business to Austin, Texas.
Since the beginning, the Supermaggie team has used Alternative pieces.
"Alternative's blanks add the most value to our finished product," Kleinpeter says. "Being able to source a lower-cost basic tee and a fashion-forward, higher-end blank from the same company simplifies our production."
Supermaggie screen prints all pieces in-house on a manual press. Since all garments are printed to order, inventory is super-tight. "Alternative is great to work with because they offer fast shipping and stock a deep inventory," Kleinpeter says.
Supermaggie screen prints all pieces in-house on a manual press. Since all garments are printed to order, inventory is super-tight. "Alternative is great to work with because they offer fast shipping and stock a deep inventory," Kleinpeter says.
The indie brand sells 15 to 20 Alternative SKUs. "Right now, our favorites are the Inside Out Garment Dyed Slub Tee, Keepsake Vintage Jersey Tee, Champ Remix and the Warm-up Eco Jersey Wrap," says Kleinpeter, who's a fan of our color options and extended size runs. "The fabric quality and attention to design make them an obvious choice. Plus, they're so soft. And, of course, we love the eco-friendly options!"
Lately, Supermaggie customers have requested flattering crop tops (check out our Headliner Cropped Tee) that pair well with high-waisted jeans, along with styles in 100% cotton. "We just always look for a flattering cut that works on multiple body types, extended sizes runs and colors that work well with our designs," Kleinpeter says.
Supermaggie's clothing and accessories for men, women and children is carried by small independent boutiques all over the world, and is sold online at www.supermaggie.com.
Shop the Alternative styles that make this brand so super on our website.
