Although they're known for selling wacky merchandise, the latest American Apparel top may be the craziest yet, as the store is officially retailing a menstrual "period power" t-shirt, a screen printed tee featuring graphic artwork by Petra Collins for her female empowerment art collective, The Ardorous, Buzzfeed reports.
"The Ardorous is an all-female online art platform curated by Petra Collins, a Toronto-born artist," American Apparel writes on their official website. "Petra began her infatuation with photography at age 15 and became an American Apparel retail employee around the same time. She creates portraits exploring female sexuality and teen girl culture. Now 20, Petra has worked with 'Vice', 'Vogue Italia', 'Purple', 'Rookie', and is a contributing photographer for American Apparel."
American Apparel has shirts featuring other photographs and pieces from The Ardorous, including "Wet Tee" (below), which features a photo of erect nipples underneath a wet t-shirt, and "LOSER," depicting a young woman blowing a bubblegum bubble, wearing a "Loser" shirt with an inverted cross painted on her forehead. Both of which are arguably tame compared to the latest $32 offering from the company.
The new "period shirt" features Collins' drawing of a blood-soaked vagina spread open by a hand with colorfully painted nails. In an interview with OysterMag.com last year, the artist admitted that she uses shock value to get people to consider important subjects they may usually ignore.
"I think teen sexuality is a taboo topic, specifically female sexuality, which I find is put down rather then celebrated like male sexuality," Collins said. "It is a topic that tends to be ignored or looked down on. I think people aren't comfortable with feminine sexuality. I find people are uncomfortable when a woman is expressing her sexuality instead of repressing it.
"In our society, nude or sexually suggestive images of women are automatically seen as negative and objectifying and is often seen through a male perspective rather than from a female's. We need to make room for the female view of sex and accept it. Until then, people are going to be uncomfortable with photos like mine."
Collins' latest "period" piece has certainly made many uncomfortable already, as Buzzfeed commentors have responded with everything from complete disgust to intrigue.
Though the shirt is a tad on the pricey at $32, half of all proceeds will go to The Ardorous all-female online art collective.
Click here to see American Apparel's "period power" t-shirt featuring artwork by Petra Collins.
American Apparel's "Wet Tee"
