I would that my life was Based On True Story – a running true story at the very least. And if it were, Â then that would mean this shirt would be a true and positive statement, if I were the one to wear it. But what if my life was a fake? What if my life was a lie? I would hope that it was not, but for these people it was. Below is a list of some of the greatest con men in history. To them, this shirt would be one big fat lie.
1. Victor Lustig, the man who sold the Eiffel Tower:
“In 1925, Lustig’s master con began when he was reading a newspaper: an article discussed the problems the city was having maintaining the Eiffel Tower. So he adopted the persona of a government official, and sent six scrap metal dealers an invitation to discuss a possible business deal. Lustig told the group that the upkeep on the Eiffel Tower was so outrageous that the city could not maintain it any longer, and wanted to sell it for scrap. So he sold the Eiffel Tower to one of the scrap metal dealers and took a train to Vienna with the suitcase full of cash. The buyer was too humiliated to complain to the police.”
2. Frank Abagnale, catch me if you can:
“For a period of two years, Abagnale masqueraded as Pan Am pilot “Frank Williams”, to get free rides around the world by dead heading on scheduled airline flights. Later, he impersonated a pediatrician for 11 months in a Georgia hospital under the name “Frank Williams”. He also forged a Harvard University Law diploma, passed the bar exam of Louisiana and got a job at the office of the State Attorney General of Louisiana.”
3. Milli Vanilli, the pop duo who couldn’t sing:
“So the truth was revealed: the Milli Vanilli sound was actually created by Frank Farian featuring the vocal talents of other singers, and Morvan and Pilatus did not sing at all on the records.”
4. Cassie Chadwick, the illegitimate daughter of Andrew Carnegie:
“In 1897, Cassie began her largest, most successful con game: that of establishing herself as Andrew Carnegie’s daughter. She faked a promissory note of $2 million with Carnegie’s signature. The information leaked to the financial markets in northern Ohio, and banks begun to offer their services. For the next eight years she used this fake background to obtain loans that eventually totaled between $10 and 20 million.”
5. David Hampton, less than Six Degrees of Separation from Sidney Poitier:
“Hampton began employing the persona of “David Poitier” to cadge free meals in restaurants. He then persuaded at least a dozen people into letting him stay with them in their homes or to give him money, including Melanie Griffith, Gary Sinise, and Calvin Klein. He told some of them that he was a friend of their children, some that he had just missed his plane to Los Angeles and that all his luggage was on it, some that his belongings had been stolen.”
It’s been a while since I’ve featured  a tee from laFraise, too long in my opinion! While perusing the laFraise shop I came across this wonderful tee that was designed by French designer, Fabian Schwall aka thisisfab. The design, which was originally a Threadless submissions, was inspired by the song “Get a haircut and get a real job” by George Thorogood (listen to song below).
Want to buy a shirt that’s worth €15,000? That’s exactly how much Piu Piu won at French T-Shirt contest site, laFriase for her design, Elephant Gum. And while you’re there be sure to read the interview that Piu Piu did with la Fraise, you wont get 15K for doing so but it is worth the read. Elephant Gum is available now from laFraise for €19.
“The Designer was inspired by a french saying: A bit of thick skinned attitude in this elusive world. Go and adopt an elephant, you will get beautiful teeth then! (free translation).”
Now if I am being honest, I am not entirely sure if that single T-Shirt design is worth the 15K prize but then again, art is in the eye of the beholder. How many of you dig the la Fraise 15K prize winning design?
Threadless aren’t the only tee people spreading some love via sales, our favorite French contest site, laFraise, is having a 30% off sale as well! The sale is only for shirts on page 3 of their shop and runs through Thursday, August 6. I think I might have a look around – I still do not own a laFraise tee which is a bit sad. Be sure to use the coupon code “Summercolours” to score the 30% off.
This is possibly the largest prize money ever for a single T-Shirt contest and I’m excited to see who’ll take home the cash! laFraise is kicking off their new site redesign in a big way, by giving out a truckload of cash. This is seriously a big deal, considering that Threadless, arguably the largest and most successful online T-Shirt contest site gave-a-way $20,000 for it’s Bestees awards, laFraise is going to giveaway €15,000 (roughly $20,915.59 USD) to the winner of their 15K contest. If you’re a designer, you definitely want to get in on this!
Here’s the latest tee from our favorite French streetwear brand, laFraise! It’s called Can You Pass The Acid Test and it was designed by stphngdn. I have zero experience with acid so I’m not sure if this is an accurate depiction of what one would experience but I do think it’s one damn cool design for a single color print!Â
You can pick up this tee from laFraise for 19,00 € now!
While you’re here and wondering what an acid trip would be like, check out this video of Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett and his documented acid trip. It gets pretty intense and weird at some parts.
Well it’s about time! I’ve been wanting to get my hands on some laFraise products for some time and now I can! French based T-Shirt contest site, laFraise previously only offered shipping to European customers. They’ve decided let Americans, like myself, and Canadians into the mix!Â
And if you’re itching to spend some cash but aren’t sure what you want to buy, I’ve included some of my very own laFraise suggestions that I’ve hand picked for you!
The popular French T-Shirt contest site, laFraise, is holding a special contest with  one of the most popular producers of rum, Bacardi. I have to admit that I have had my share of Bacardi 151 shots so I am definitely no stranger to this Bermuda based spirits company.Â
Your mission for the contest is to create 2 typical characters representing the personality of BACARDI LIMÃ’N and BACARDI RAZZ, two of their popular flavored rums.Â
Bacardi will host an exhibition in Hamburg, Germany on July 11 featuring 10 to 15 design entries. A winning design will be chosen for both the BACARDI LIMÃ’N and BACARDI RAZZ characters. Each winner will receive 3000 € for his design. Please see below for the official rules.Â
Here’s a fun tee that I stumbled upon on the French contest site, LaFraise. It’s called Le Pirate Moderne and it was designed by French designer Kalio. It’s the perfect tee for this wonderful Tuesday because today the new Green Day album drops! Awesome. I’ve been looking forward to the follow up to American Idiot since, well, what seems like a very long time. I’m excited to pick up my copy of 21st Century Breakdown, but the question is, will you be buying your copy or will follow the steps of the pirate below – arghhh!
Here’s a tee designed by mimimimimimimimi and available at LaFraise and I absolutely adore it (and am somewhat intrigued by the name of the artist who designed the shirt). If you’re not familiar with LaFraise, it’s a European contest site that chooses 3 to 4 designs each work from user submissions. The Woods Are Alive is available now from LaFraise for 19,00 € (~$25.00).Â
