I’ve always wanted to have a product line. I wanted something to market beyond my website & consulting that was fully my aesthetic. I wasn’t set on designing the product line myself, but just waiting for the perfect idea to hit me (been waiting for years). I’ve tried a few things in the past, but nothing was really right.

When the concept for MANIFESTO hit me — I knew I had to do it. I fleshed out the idea and knew it was something I could do in addition to everything else I’ve got going on. It came to me out of my search for the perfect comfy tee that can be dressed up or down, taken from day into night, throw on a jacket, necklace, and heels and you are out the door.

I’ve found lots of great plain tees that I will continue to wear, but I wanted something with a bit of design (I love a good rocker tee, or a tee from college that is perfectly worn in and has shrunk just right). Words or phrases on shirts are “trendy” right now but I wanted something with meaning behind it — not just a trendy saying. A word or phrase where every time you wear that shirt it inspires you, or means something to you, or makes you smile, or makes you simply think.

BAM — a manifesto. A written statement declaring intentions, motives or views.

I also wanted a shirt that not everyone and their mom could buy — not because it’s extremely expensive for a super soft fashion tee, but because it is LIMITED EDITION. So I had it — a limited edition, soft and comfy, fashion top (tee, tank, sweatshirt) with a meaningful word or phrase. Yes.

So how does the limited edition thing work? Each month — starting with January — there will be a word or phrase for that month. That style/word will be limited edition, so once they sell out they’re gone. And each month a new word/phrase/style will come out. 12 months in a year — 12 limited edition tops a year.

So what’s the first word!?! A word that embodies the beginning of a new year — evolve. It is something that rang true for me this past year that I want to keep in mind all year long. So much so that I wore my evolve tee on New Year’s Eve to kick off 2013. I wear it to yoga. I wear it while working. And I wear it out. This year — I will evolve.

Each month’s word or phrase, can be your own manifesto. The word is up to your own interpretation. So when I asked 9 friends of mine to don their evolve tee and tell me what evolve meant to them — it was nothing but inspiring.

 

This tee is a super soft, black heather with a high v-neck. The word evolve is my own handwriting and is screen printed in gold metallic ink. You can get yours on the MANIFESTO website (here) while they are available. See sizing info to the right of the item, and in the additional photos. (No the shirt is not wrinkled like that — it’s just for fun.)

Follow MANIFESTO: website / twitter / instagram / facebook / lookbook

If you purchase a top from MANIFESTO — I want to see it! Please tag @ManifestoTs on twitter/instagram and each month the hashtag will be the word or phrase = this month is #evolve (you can also tag me at @megbiram if you like). I’ll feature some of them on the MANIFESTO facebook page and maybe even here on The Edit.

See how 9 of my lovely blogger friends styled their shirts below, and make sure to see more photos & what evolve means to them in the January Lookbook.

Jessie Artigue — Style & Pepper

Grace Atwood — Stripes & Sequins

Caitlin Moran — Style Within Reach

Victoria McGinley — vmac+cheese

Megan Gilger — The Fresh Exchange

Casie Mace — whippedSTYLE

Jen Ramos — MADE BY GIRL

Katie Anderson — Modern Eve

Chassity Evans — Look Linger Love

A huge thanks to these ladies for being a part of January’s MANIFESTO! Don’t forget to check out the JANUARY LOOKBOOK to see more photos and learn what evolve means to each of these ladies.

Here’s how I wore my evolve tee on New Year’s Eve.

Thanks in advance for your support! I love you all!

— Meg