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
My new favorite tee?? I think so! Congrats on doing it so well Meg, like everything you do. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of it.
Great job! I’m heading to the site now!
The Occasional Indulgence
Love the tee! Can’t wait to see all that you do with this- all the projects you have going on is definitely inspiring, I don’t know how you do it all!
I have no life! 🙂
What a nice idea and what a brilliant word to shout out! Evolve!!!
Congrats on your accomplishment =)
WOW! Awesome!! Where can I buy?
http://shopyourmanifesto.com/
What a great idea and I adore this post! Congrats on the new venture 🙂
Kate
http://www.thrillofthechaise.com
such a cute idea, meg! congrats on the concept & launch!
Yippee!!!! SO happy for you, honored to be involved, and can’t wait to collect all 12! XOXO
Nice! Congratulations on the launch. I love how everyone styled the t-shirts differently!
Me too! Was so fun to see!
Congrats, Meg! This is so awesome – and inspiring! Can’t wait to get one!
megan!! what a fun idea. i absolutely love it and can’t wait to see next month’s word. you rock!! XOXO!
Congratulations – can’t wait to see what next month’s tee is…such a great idea!! 🙂
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
What an awesome new endeavor for you, Meg — Congrats!! I’m very excited for you and can’t wait to order a tee for myself!
What a fabulous idea. Congrats Meg!
i love it!!!!!!! CONGRATS GIRL!!!!
Just ordered! Really like your concept with Manifesto – new to your site and blog and enjoying both.
So excited for your new venture! xo
Congratulations! Love the concept and the design, and the lookbook is fantastic — so fun to see how everyone styled it!
you go girl! excited to see each month’s word!
thank you & all the best with everything ! It was fun! xo
Madebygirl.blogspot.com
MadeByGirl.com
Congratulations Meg! Brilliant idea, but more importantly kudos for making it happen. ~ which I’m realizing is becoming my motto for January. Love it!
Congrats Meg! I love the Evolve tee!
You are amazing! I can’t understand how you do everything you do!! Keep it up 🙂 thanks for being such an inspiration xo
They look great! Congrats!
Love love love. So proud of you and this new biz venture. On to the next, right? 🙂
EXACTLY!
Love, love, love this! I can’t wait to see all of these and hopefully scoop one up this year! 😀
You are so legit! Love ya girl! See your sexy butt at Alt!
Shut. Up! These are too cute! And what fabulous ladies you have wearing your design! LOVE!!! xoxo
Congrats on your amazing new line, Meg! So thrilled for you and love your innovative idea with all of the different words! So excited to see the next one!
Amazing!! So proud of you + happy for you!! LOVE!
Love it, congratulations Meg!
I just purchased my shirt! That is the perfect word! Congratulations!
These look fantastic! So happy that you found just what you were looking for, and I can see why you took the time to find just the right product, these shirts are beautiful!
Brilliant concept and amazing outcome.
Congrats for having what it took to follow through and make dreams a reality.
So amazing, and so happy to be a part of it!
Congrats Meg! It all turned out great and I’m really excited for your new adventure! Love all the lookbook photos too! 🙂
I am so impressed by
a) what an awesome idea this is
b) the different personalities who modeled it and how they all look wonderfully themselves in your tee
c) how you have so much on your place and still make it all look awesome!
Congrats, Meg!
Thanks Erin! You are so sweet!!!
What an awesome idea! It’s inspiring that you came up with a concept and actually went for it! I think a lot of us have great ideas but get overwhelmed by “how” to actually implement them and then get distracted, fear failing, etc. Way to go! Can’t wait to try one of your tees!
Oh man there is definitely a fear when you purchase inventory. A few times I was thinking OMG did I really just buy that many tees!? So glad everyone likes them!
Meg-congrats. This is absolutely amazing. I will be buying one of these for sure. Love supporting other women entrepreneurs. Simply fabulous Meg. xx, Naina
Congratulations!! I absolutely love this whole concept! What a fun idea, and what a beautiful tee shirt! xo
The tees look great! Congrats on the new venture!
Alyssa
http://www.runwaychef.com
Super cool tee + it looks amazing on everyone.
Congrats on the launch!
-Becky
The Pumpkin Spot
I hate to say it but its true, I’m a T-Shirt and jeans girl through and through. It only took me til about 2 years ago to realize i should stop wasting my money on skirts and dresses. The first thing I reach for is a pair of jeans and that worn in T-shirt that makes you look so effortless with any add on (blazer, heels, funky jewelry). I’m excited to see each month’s exciting new edition. Great job and great idea!!
Nicole
Thank you so much! Working from home I wear them so much, it’s nice to have some cute ones that make you feel put together. 🙂
Hi Meg!
LOVE my Lover sweater…..see my pics on my blog! Thanks a million, for the note and cute bag xo
http://thebakehouseblog.blogspot.co.uk/
This is a beautiful tee and the writing is AMAZING! is this ‘font’ your own handwriting?