The Free & Brave Remix Submissions

Update: The individual who has been captured in connection with the murder of Charlie Kirk was photographed wearing a long-sleeve version of the t-shirt that is the basis of this contest. Our Free & Brave t-shirt Remix contest was launched over a month ago, and all submissions were received before the shooting, and this article was published prior. Regardless, we are pausing the contest until further notice, as we consult with the 19 participants and our judge to determine the best way to move forward. 

A month ago we officially launched this competition. The contest guidelines were simple: take one of the most commonly found T-shirts at thrift shops in America, and give it a new life.

First of all—WOW.

We received 19 submissions, and every single one is incredible. We’re beyond grateful to everyone who took the time to participate—there’s so much creativity and collective effort on display here. When we first launched this contest, we honestly didn’t know what to expect. The response has blown us away—far beyond what we imagined. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This whole idea started thanks to wildsporesvtg and landotees. A few months back, I was scrolling my IG feed when I saw his remixed Free & Brave tee (entry #13 below). When I reached out about doing a contest in this theme, he told me the spark came from our tongue-in-cheek St. Patrick’s Day post about a “Land of the Free” reissue collab with a 3D Emblem. Ours was a joke, but then these two gents one-upped our joke and actually ran with the theme and produced a t-shirt. Life imitating art, imitating life imitating… well, I’m not even sure what to call it—but here we are, and what an amazing turnout it’s been.

Below you’ll find each entry with front and back photos, plus some fantastic commentary from many of the participants. Each entry also includes a link to the artist’s IG—please check them out, give them a follow, and support these amazing creators.

Entries are listed in the order we received them (so, essentially random), along with their contest details.

1. @_backfromthegrave🔗

“Land of the free, home of the brave and God bless America shirt!”

Not so perfect bc this is my first experience creating based on some vtg Mosquitohead collections that I liked and what I think about.., and yeah! especially for this contest! The concept’s about Happy Fourth of July, even though some people hate America, but trust me, God bless America! And I love this land!

I’m here using a stencil that designed manually for a placemat and airbrushed it, hoping and making it look like vtg Mosquitohead shirt that what I think.

A bit of me: I’m a death metal illustrator, working for some DIY record label, bands who created their design stuff and, yeah I’m a new collector of vtg band shirts, also a seller in this community! 😁🫡🦅🤘🏻”

2. @BAMxEVERYTHING🔗

“I am an airbrush artist and vintage upcycler. I was going for a bold traditional American/Japanese style tattoo design. Wanted to keep it simple and bold with an eagle swooping in on the graphic head on.

My business Blythe Ave Market is a creative studio that focuses on upcycling vintage clothing. I like to give new life to old clothing that would otherwise be lost to time.”

3. @chrishound🔗

“I’m a Kansas-born artist and record producer in LA. I collect vintage tees and founded Paxico Records. My design riffs on vintage t-shirt history, pulling from Maxell’s iconic “Blown Away Man,” the Deadhead spin off of Blown Away Man “Is it Live or is it Dead?,” and the bold grit of Harley Davidson graphics. I combined hand painting with masking tape and some old Stenso lettering to reference some classics while putting my own stamp on the infamous “Free & Brave” shirt.”

4. @donrock666🔗

“Its me. Good enough? Need more?”

5. @golden1112🔗

“This design was inspired by the classic American t-shirt style, incorporating traditional tie-dye techniques using red, white, and blue; the colors of the American flag. Tie-dye has long been a staple in American DIY fashion, and I wanted to honor that legacy with a fresh, handcrafted twist. The shirt’s cutoff bottom wasn’t discarded; instead, I repurposed it into a matching tie-dye headband, creating a coordinated and sustainable look that reflects both creativity and tradition.

By profession, I’m in the medical field, but crafting has always been my creative outlet and a way to unwind. I love exploring different mediums, whether it’s beadwork, painting, or stitching, and enjoy bringing a personal touch to everything I make. Each piece I create is a reflection of my passion for handmade art and my appreciation for the little details that make something truly unique.”

6. @igotdyeonit🔗

No comment.

7. @WHOPAINTEDDAT🔗

“Peace, I was born in Rochester NY and I also sell vintage from Chipko Vintage. The Expression of this piece came directly from what this stanza in the national anthem makes me think of or feel. Black Americans’ experience in America has been a constant striving for that exact stanza or line. These figures I feel deeply represented exactly that. Back: is Whitney Houston at Super Bowl 25 in 1991 singing the national anthem Front: displays MLK , Fred Hampton , and Malcolm X ( Malcom Little ).”

8. @Jaderisa🔗

“My design was made in direct response to the social/political climate and as an expression of distress and anger towards the current state of the country. I used procreate to make my text and sourced the imagery online. I burned my own screens to make the design and hand screen printed everything.”

Jade Andalon Risa is an artist raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco now based in Texas. JADERISA, her independent fashion initiative, emerged from the need to utilize the existing materials at her disposal. By reusing and reworking existing materials, she aims to address the excessive over production prevalent in the fashion industry. From vibrant airbrush designs to corsetry, millinery, and meticulous hand beading, her designs exude an extravagant flair, leaning towards a maximalist aesthetic. Her work often touches on subjects from past experiences up to present events. She’s not shy to pull inspiration from the color and essence from things such as anime and the playfulness of clowns and 16th century clothing. While on the other hand, her work can also be seen as a protest and response to social norms and current fashion trends.

9. @Mexicanicecream🔗

“My design was made with the intention of placing a spotlight on certain issues regarding racial injustice and how that directly affects America. I used an anti-establishment character to sort of mock the original graphic the shirt came with. The back features an older Seuss drawing that to me is still very relevant to this day.

I burned my own screens and hand screen printed the images. I also hand painted the colors for the character.”

Mexicanicecream is an artist from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Their love for vintage has translated from having their own vintage and resell store in Austin to a completely indepedent vintage rework project. Mexicanicecream is responsible for every single aspect of creating a new custom piece from beginning to end. This includes sourcing vintage, washing and preparing the clothes, conceptualizing and creating new designs, screens, graphics, listing and selling. They make each one of their garments with attention to detail and care. Their designs are known for their vibrant colors and raw essence.

10. @mui.handprinted🔗

“This T-shirt design uses a Silkscreen Handprinted technique to create a one-of-a-kind piece that blends American pop culture with local identity.

Front Design: Handprinted text: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, in vibrant Pop Culture-inspired colors. The letter “d” in Land is replaced with the Defunkd logo, symbolizing participation in the contest.

The concept integrates iconic American imagery – the burger – with hidden wordplay:

The word “Fat” is subtly embedded in Free.

The word “Burger” is hidden within Brave.

The word Burger is screen-printed using Glow in the Dark ink, visible under blacklight.

A hidden translation of the theme appears in Jawi script (Malay language):
رومه براني تانه كبيباسن

Translation: Home of the Brave, Land of the Free – expressing the artist’s roots from Pattani, Thailand

Back Design: A large, colorful burger graphic with bold text elements in Pop Culture style, reinforcing the theme and visual impact

Technique: The entire piece is made using a Silkscreen Handprinted technique. This manual process allows for organic imperfections and unique textures, enhancing the authenticity and artisanal value of each shirt.”

Faisol Bin Harun Mui, A handprint artist from Pattani, Thailand, passionate about combining local cultural identity with global pop elements through printmaking.

11. @shirtsofsin & @flaxley_🔗

“Handprinted here in the UK, we specialise in printing macabre and in your face shirts, and we didn’t want to do anything different on this one.”

12. @SirCollectALot🔗

“When I’m not collecting t-shirts, I’m a toymaker by trade and that passion found its way into this design. I reimagined the classic ‘Land of the Free, Home of the Brave’ to honor my craft with a toy twist and surrounded it with a purple and green glow-in-the-dark splatter pattern, so it can light up the scene day and night.

I make custom action figures and other unique toys for brands to use in marketing and promotion, as well as for anyone looking for a special one-of-a-kind gift. I also buy, sell, and trade t-shirts through my alter ego @SirCollectTooMuch.”

13. @wildsporesvtg & @landotees🔗

“My name is Michael I am a wild foods and Mushroom broker in the Pacifc northwest and Hoarder at its best…

This shirt started as a joke — I was invited to participate in an open live selling event, where everyone expected me to run Mosquito Head tees. So, as a troll, I actually made my own Land of the Free Mosquito version with the help of my friend @Landotees all inspired by @defunkd April fools 3demblem collab post.. there was no real concept literally was thrown together in a couple hours before the live..

What’s been most amazing is seeing how our little joke snowballed into an event that brought together so many talented artists and printers. Watching that collaboration unfold has been just as rewarding as making the shirt itself.

All art attributed to the Wiz Landon @landotees.”

14. @past.context🔗

“For this design, I used black plastisol ink and my screen printing press. (reel on grid)
160/110 Mesh Screens with my (edited) original designs.

I’ve been collecting vintage for over 10 years and recently moved onto selling from @past.context. A classic enthusiast to merchant pipeline, focusing on collecting less “grails” and more apparel for a grown person. My inventory is reflective of a wide array of cultural references, some less relevant than others but most are perceivably tasteful to the more initiated consumer.

Vintage silhouettes, the rarity of an item or vainly put the ‘preciousness’ of old clothing from a time before you could understand the importance of the distress or reference. That’s what keeps me coming back to the game and battle of depop zoomers.

In 2016, I started screen printing my designs for friends, family, and myself, not a commercial pursuit for me, but a hobby. subpargroup.com – most of my work.

Chopped and screwed some previous designs to fit the mold on this mystery thrift store staple. We’re often touted as the greatest country but under what circumstances are we qualified to assume this title? There are a variety of metrics that can be used to justify this country as a world leader; however, it’s kind of hard to believe that there is a unilateral consensus in 2025.

The lines of church and state feel almost non-existent in this time and a consistent theme in light of tragedies, is the sentiment “thoughts and prayers”. Respectfully, every person in the world is entitled to their beliefs, deities and religious constructs but I don’t consider this an empathetic, or appropriate response to a ‘mixed faith’ society. Seemingly an affront to thoughtfulness or as gratuitous as “how are you?” in common conversation amongst strangers.”

If you grew up around Southern California, you might be familiar with this Christian apparel brand ” not of this world “. Clearly, it’s a layup to subvert their logo, for me, the Christian merch always stood out in public as an abrasive or ‘pick me’ kind of fashion choice that felt above making fun of. Many contrarians alike might agree this design is a viable route to confuse or irritate the evangelical. Perceivably as edgy as. reinterpreting a John 17: verse with a warrior-style addendum.

Historically, we might be overstating the idea of ‘land of the free/home of the brave’, lifestyles vary greatly here and there, and there is seemingly no baseline for quality of life for an ‘American’.”

15. @tales.from.the.thrift🔗

“My design concept was to incorporate fun and carefree Americana imagery, such as tie dye and fringe, referencing America’s rich history with counter culture fashion and style. The chains I attached, emanating from the central image, is a reminder that suppression from self-expression should always be defeated.”

16. @tonsvintage🔗

“My concept was to take a bunch of cliché subjects of “America” from my own viewpoint, whether good bad political or comedic . Pretty much what comes to mind when I think of the USA. Even throwing in some of my favorite Hollywood actors that involve U.S presidents. The techniques I used on the shirt was a mix of Screen Printing with hand, brushing and color to create a colorful all over print. I used water-based ink and watered it down to a certain viscosity for brushing. Also using a sponge to acquire a cloud like texture for the front of shirt that would incorporate the shirts original graphic of the flag in the clouds

I’ve been printing since 2021, a huge inspiration for the hand brushed all over print style I love to do comes from the heaven smiles tees done by Michael Rios. After making my first shirt with Michael back then I was hooked. From the style he has to the simplicity of the printing workspace he utilizes. I’m from Florida originally, but I have lived in San Francisco for nearly 20 years. Collecting creating and skateboarding is what takes up most of my time here.”

17. @vintagewitchfinder🔗

“The idea for this shirt comes from the original source of the quote “land of the free, home of the brave”—Francis Scott Key’s The Star-Spangled Banner. All of the quotes featured on the shirt are taken directly from his poem. The design is also inspired by the iconic Dead Kennedys shirt created by Fifth Column, portraying the Statue of Liberty.

The shirt was made using a combination of acrylic paint and hand-painted patchwork.

My name is Jesús, I’m from Mexico, and I specialize in vintage Mexican bootlegs. I’m passionate about uncovering the hidden history behind shirts made in Mexico since the 1980s, which stand as a raw and powerful reflection of our culture and craftsmanship.”

18. @eyesoreindustries🔗

“I’m Harvey, a London-based collector + artist working to continue developing my project / business Eyesore Industries, which encapsulates a specialty vintage store, a D.I.Y print studio and an independent archive dedicated to rare and hand-printed t-shirts, fanzines and other clothing, subcultural ephemera and underground collectibles.

As a UK-based artist responding to American cultural symbols, I aimed to reflect the shared disillusionment we feel on both sides of the Atlantic. Inspired by Jamie Reid’s subversive graphics and Fifth Column’s classic punk shirts printed (see their The Clash – Take the Fifth shirt), I created a one-off, two-layered design to fit around the existing central graphic on the shirt.

Placing the US and UK’s political figureheads waist-deep in skulls alongside symbols of supposed freedom, this design aims to highlight the hypocrisies of their leadership, asking the viewer to consider whether our national identities are something to be celebrated or questioned. It intends to challenge the illusion of patriotism, interrogating the romanticised notion that one’s nation inherently serves or protects its people.

Using altered and recontextualised archival graphics from my own collection of 80s punk fanzines, I created the designs in photoshop, printed them onto acetate and exposed two A1 silkscreens with my DIY set-up. Once rinsed and dry, I printed the designs by hand using water based ink and cured them with a heat gun.”

19. @midori.days.fanpage🔗

“The concept for this shirt is an amalgamation of American horror. Pop culture mixed with death, doom, and extremism. Memes and real atrocities at once. God bless us all.

Techniques include sublimation printing and collage. Made in America, by Americans, from imported materials.

My name is Stu. I’m 32 and I’ve been a reseller since 2014 in Burlington, VT. I’ve always had a deep interest in American and Japanese pop culture and a deep disdain and apathy for politics and nationalism.”