Massachusetts Artist's Upcycled Designs Capture "Masshole-ness" and Spark Frenzy
A Marshfield, Massachusetts artist is making waves with her upcycled fashion designs, tapping into the unique cultural identity of the Bay State. Olivia Harvey, the creative force behind the designs showcased on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @ohpleeze, has seen her distinctive sweatshirts and t-shirts sell out in mere minutes, fueled by a dedicated local following.
Harvey's designs feature iconic Massachusetts imagery, moving beyond typical coastal themes like whales and Cape Cod to embrace the everyday realities of "townies," lobsters, and the ubiquitous Dunkin' coffee. Her creations incorporate chunky, magazine-style lettering displaying names of local landmarks like Cape Cod, New England, and Stellwagen Bank. Anchors, Swedish Fish candies, and lighters also find their place in her artwork.
From Hacking Sweatshirts to Original Designs
Harvey's artistic journey began with deconstructing and reassembling old sweatshirts and t-shirts in unconventional ways. However, she has since transitioned to crafting her own designs on sweatshirts using repurposed t-shirt fabric and other cotton materials.
The inspiration behind her designs is deeply rooted in her Massachusetts upbringing. "I just felt more drawn to ocean critters. Fish have been a really big symbol for me, and now whales, I’m kind of feeling really inspired by whales," Harvey explains. "Marshfield is a little beach town, so inspiration’s not very far. I can literally just walk outside to see it. It’s one of those things where it finally just slapped me in the face, and now it all makes sense."
Dunkin' Encounter and Creative Pivot
One of Harvey's early designs featured orange and pink "D" logos on a coffee cup, a clear nod to Dunkin'. This design initially garnered the attention of Dunkin' itself, with representatives reaching out to compliment her work and send her swag bags.
However, the relationship took an unexpected turn when Harvey received a cease and desist letter from the company two months later. In response, she removed the Dunkin' logo from her online presence.
Undeterred, Harvey creatively pivoted her designs. Her sewed lobsters now hold coffee cups with orange straws, a subtle act of defiance. "I don’t think they own orange straws, so I’m kind of just trying to stick it to the man a little bit," she quips.
From Food-Inspired Art to Massachusetts Icons
Harvey's artistic journey didn't initially focus on her Massachusetts roots. After graduating from Emerson College, she gained traction online with food-inspired sweatshirts, including designs featuring shrimp scampi and even a Bloody Mary.
A period of creative stagnation led her to seek new inspiration. "There was a period of time where I was lacking inspiration," Harvey recalls. "I was getting bored with the fruits, and I had a few friends who were like, ‘you should really consider doing a lobster.’"
The lobster design finally materialized about two years ago, but Harvey felt it was missing something. She added a cigarette and the Dunkin' coffee, recognizing their significance to Massachusetts culture, and the design resonated with her audience.
Social Media Success and High Demand
Harvey's unique designs have found a strong following on social media. One of her TikTok videos has garnered nearly 1 million views, and her Instagram account boasts over 18,000 followers, serving as a platform to promote her shop.
Despite holding a full-time job outside of her upcycling and design work, Harvey sells her sweatshirts and t-shirts online once or twice a month. The demand for her creations is incredibly high, with sweatshirts priced between $85 and $90 and t-shirts around $30 selling out within minutes of being listed.
"There’s a mad dash for stuff," Harvey says. "A lot of my followers at this point are from the New England area. I’ve found my crowd, so I’m just going to stick with it, because it’s definitely been inspiring."
Capturing the "Masshole-ness"
Harvey's designs have struck a chord with Bay Staters because they embrace the unique and often quirky aspects of Massachusetts culture. As she puts it, "There’s just something so iconic about the ‘masshole-ness’ of the Dunkin’ brand. We all know that guy who looks like this lobster who’s smoking a cig and sipping on the Dunkin’ coffee."
By capturing this essence of "Masshole-ness," Harvey has created a brand that resonates deeply with her local audience, transforming everyday imagery into sought-after fashion pieces. Her success demonstrates the power of tapping into local culture and creating designs that are both unique and relatable.
No comments:
Post a Comment