about the line.

This incarnation of postmoderntease. represents new beginnings. The line has always been about beauty from destruction and chaos, but this time I wanted to approach it from a perspective less grim and dark, more bright and hopeful. What if there was an apocalypse but it wasn't the end; it was the eve of something more beautiful.

I was inspired by the flower child of the 70's and the hippie revival, the street artist of the 80's pop art movement, the punk of 90's grunge and the promise of future artists, anarchists and revolutionaries to come. Like Mexico's Dia del Muertos, it’s a celebration; honoring the past, but putting it to rest in all of its glory.

I had the idea of a girl – or boy – that would wear these pieces and really get them. The lyrics to one of my favorite Sneaker Pimps songs states it best:

gary russell freeman.

Everything Gary Russell Freeman has done came from the desire to move forward. Ten years ago he uprooted himself from his hometown of Springfield, MA and made his way to the City of Brotherly Love to pursue his dreams. In that pursuit he earned a degree in Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. The notion of Philadelphia Freedom was not lost on Freeman. There he was able to embrace individuality and independence, exploring his creativity and learning much that would prepare him for life in New York City.

Since finishing school Freeman waited tables, worked retail, promoted, hosted parties and DJed a few. He wrote, styled consulted and interned for such fashion luminaries as Heathermary Jackson and most recently Zac Posen. He assisted Costello Tagliapietra, House of Field and countless up-and-coming New York stylist. He created postmoderntease. – seeing success in two cities.

Having been compared to Balmain, Freeman has made a name for himself and plans to reach the world with a definitive point of view and vision. postmoderntease. was always meant to be the beginning, starting in darkness and now evolving as light pours in.

It's been over two years since the postmodertease. project began. It started when Freeman and a few friends came across a video and challenged each other to perfect the shredding technique. Freeman was fascinated and continued shredding long after the challenge was forgotten. Once he nailed it, he tried different techniques and designs, wearing the shirts out. People marveled, and when they discovered that Freeman was the creator, the requests started pouring in.

When demand came faster than he could keep up with, he knew it was time to make the shirts available to anyone and took the opportunity to put his own spin on it. In 2009, postmoderntease. debuted on Etsy to sales all over the world. Later that year Freeman made a line for Shari Roulin's REWARD boutique in Philadelphia, which almost immediately developed a following. Upon moving to New York the line was picked up by Travis Wayne's Convent Shop in the Lower East Side in 2010, garnering mentions from the likes of DailyCandy and Refinery29. The buzz around postmoderntease. was set in motion and Freeman continues to elaborate on his designs and promises many exciting developments to come.

-Bio by Jameson Paige