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Wikipedia's streetwear collaboration

Izzy Ashton

Deputy Editor, BITE Creativebrief

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 Wikipedia's streetwear collaboration

We’ve all been there. Last minute frantic additions, madly editing and re-editing our essays, cramming to make that last deadline. And I imagine you, much like me, have lent on one source more than most for those extra facts and soundbite bits of knowledge.

It is of course Wikipedia, an online encyclopaedia that’s continually edited by volunteers from around the world. It offers free information for everyone and exists primarily through donations. It has also become the latest, albeit unlikely, organisation to produce a fashion collaboration.

Wikipedia worked with Advisory Board Crystals, a fashion label based in Los Angeles, on the collaboration which donates 100% of the proceeds to the Wikimedia Foundation, the charity organisation which hosts the non-profit online encyclopaedia.

Described as “our first iteration of the physical representation of Wikipedia”, the collaboration consists of one long-sleeved, white tee. Although currently sold out on ABC’s website, it retails for $85 which is around £65. The image on the back of the tee is that of the puzzle globe logo designed in 2003 by Paul Stansifer, who was 17 years old when he won a design competition hosted by the site. The words INTERNET MASTER are emblazoned in red around the logo.

Wikipedia does already have an existing online store that sells branded merchandise from clothing to books, bags and mugs. But this is their first foray into more covetable designs. The collaboration channels the rising trend for streetwear, more specifically for graphic sweatshirts and tees, which has seen brands like Supreme, Vetements and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White grow in popularity over the last few years.

The company’s vision statement from co-founder Jimmy Wales is “Imagine a world in which everyone freely shares in all knowledge”. This freedom is something that the Wikimedia Foundation wants to retain and which this collaboration aims to support. It just helps that you can now look good while doing good too.

Visit ABC’s website to find out more.

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