Slow Start.

Hello there!

Here I am, I’m starting.

Let me talk to you about a "small" project on which I have been working for a little while already.

Generation-T.

Generation-T is an online store of t-shirts with activists, advocates, provocateurs, poetics, and sometimes crazy messages.

History

For several years, I have been writing ideas here and there, for a hypothetical future t-shirt company that I would open... one day, at my retirement, maybe... ;-)

At the base, the idea was to use the warning messages that we see everywhere (Careful hot! , No signal, Handle with care, Fragile, etc...) and to divert them from their original contexts to give them a completely different flavor. ;-) Then other more social, political and poetic ideas germinated over time. Then the American elections arrived, which paradoxically created urgency and slowed down some enthusiasm... Who would have imagined that the "best better country in the world" would be in a trade war with its orange neighbor?

Let’s say that the clown precipitated my need to put online slogans and protest designs, but his economic policy has considerably slowed down the technical side of things. I would have liked to take my time in order to conclude agreements/partnerships with local printers and suppliers (Quebec) but, given the urgency and multiple complications, I decided to opt for print on demand services (POD).

Generation-T is more of an 'artistic' project than a company. Yes, I sell shirts, but it is to promote humanism, change, and the spirit of openness, while funding projects with a humanistic aim.

It is not a «usual business» oriented towards profit. It has many objectives: to show our colors and our support to the communities that need it the most, to raise funds for numerous causes and help me build these somewhat crazy dreams of a solidarity café in my neighborhood and/or a shelter for humans and animals.

In fact, this project is a team composed of one person. I did everything myself, with the help of some friends here and there. In the end, I wouldn’t hate it if it became a cooperative, or a joint venture, we’ll see.

For this reason, don’t be surprised by the 'grunge' look, minimalist and a bit crooked on the site. We don’t take out the man’s grunge.

To encourage a certain 'local' purchase and limit the shipping distances and 'rates', the products will be offered by country, so you can buy local or international. Of course, there will be more choice among suppliers south of Carney. You know, the Amaricans! ;-)

So when you buy products from Canada, they are printed and shipped from Toronto.

When you buy products in the US, they are printed and shipped from the US.

It will be the same for Europe and it will follow for the other continents.

As soon as possible, les Québécois will be able to buy in Québec.

My commitment

​5 to 10% of the profits from each sale will be donated to a local organization, a local initiative, an international NGO or an artist. The causes are numerous: rights advocacy, community support, women’s centers, support for ecological or anti-capitalist alternatives, animal shelters, the end of patriarchy, etc. The more t-shirts sold, the higher the percentage of profit, more money will go to the causes.

The list of beneficiary organisations will be updated as soon as they are confirmed.

**Each t-shirt related to Palestine will contribute 50% of the profit to MSF and UNICEF. *

My share of the income, as mentioned above, will be devoted one, to live and two, to fulfill the dream of opening a café in my neighborhood (or a shelter for humans/animals, we’ll see). A place where it is good to stay, discuss, exchange and share. An inclusive place open to art, unlike. A popular little café to strengthen the ties between our communities. (We will greatly need it)

I fiercely believe in love, kindness, solidarity and respect. Gen-T defends and promotes the values of equality, diversity, equity and inclusion.

As it grows, Gen-T will offer more organic and ecological choices and who knows, if it works, I would of course like to bring part of the production to Québec.

Artists

Collections of artists will gradually see the light on the pages of the site. Claim is fine but beauty is also important. ;-) Partnerships will be set up with the artists who will be interested in imaging their works on t-shirts.

Clothing models

For now, the two main t-shirt models are, a non-gendered standard and another with a more feminine fit. But other models, like hoodies or underwear, will be added over time. If you like a design but it is not offered on a garment that you like, do not hesitate to contact me, we will look together what we can do.

Designs

Many designs are currently very basic (simplicity is good, often), but as sales progress and according to demand, variations with different graphics or typographies can be added. The store will evolve over time and offer more products, more designs, as well as local and organic options. 

Photos

Currently, clothing photos are generic models provided by printers, the more the project will progress, the more I will add photos that I have taken myself.

Roadmaps:

-Additions of designs

-Additions of clothing models

-Partnerships with artists

-Multilingual site

-US and EU sections

-Taking of photographic views

-Adding carbon offset option to payment

-Choose your cause

-All that in the mess ;-)

-Etc..

There you go,

a gift from me to me, from me to you, from you to me, from us to us.

Solidarity.

Kindness is all we have left.

Michaël

NB: I was hesitating to create a FB page. I mean, I would like us to take this monster out of our lives, but it seems more and more unlikely... Even Roger Waters on his page... ;-)

NB2: Yes, the fb page is in English (and the website), I’m going to be International, pal! ;-)

NB3: There are surely still small bugs.

NB4: Perfection does not exist. Except my mother.

NB5: Cool droid name.