What’s the opposite of writer’s block?

by Saul Sugarman / November 18, 2020

I’ve been on a creative warpath this year. I think it’s something about being locked up mixed with a healthy cash infusion to my various freelance pursuits that’s kept me pushing content and apparel out. The Sugarman Apparel store—which has only been live in its new web domain since April—now logs 138 products.

Here are some new things I’ve added since September.

Athletic masks in new fun prints

These athletic masks are my favorite to wear and sell because not only do they filter particles, they’re super breathable and lightweight. Plus they have my name on them. The florals are actually a revival of a fabric I’d used since March but went out of print. I made the rainbow to match a line of shirts I now offer, but I also find the graphic design I cooked up to be deliciously 1980s.

Custom printed shirts

A custom print means I designed a garment myself in Photoshop or Illustrator—albeit often with the art from a collaborating artist, like this one pictured from Rafael Arana.

I then have the fabric for the garment printed in the UK, and I then sew it locally with a flat pattern I’m currently perfecting in my own studio. There are two such shirts at the moment: the Detour one here, and the ever-popular Pac Man design.

These ones take a bit longer to get to you! And honestly, there’s very little money in it for me for these… it’s more a process of learning how to produce a small run of something high quality for a low enough price point.

The latest on the store are pieces procured and made by collaborating boutique Knobs in Castro:

Lots of other shirts

I now offer a nice collection of tanks, tees, crop tops, and sleeveless’s. These ones arrive a lot faster than my own custom ones, and you can buy them for the same price onsite at Knobs at 432 Castro St.

Shorts and sequins

A couple pairs of shorts in the store match shirts for sale, plus these flip sequin booties that are designed and made locally, and are absolutely awesome.

Underwear, underwear, underwear

Five new underwear styles added to the store recently, including these very well-fitting camo mesh undies. (There’s a matching tank top here, too.)

Mask collabs for every taste

I’ve now partnered with more than 14 artists to create more than 20 different mask styles, giving so much promotion to excellent work, money for them, and generally just a happy feeling for doing all this. I’m so grateful they said yes and for what we’ve been able to make together.

My latest since September include “Tacos in Space” by Spacegoooose, also sexy ones from body paint artist Brandon McGill, racy ones from drag queen comedian Poly Poptart, and dark graffiti ones by artist Rafael Arana, who painted the inside of the Castro venue, the Detour.

Pictured above is a custom jeweled one I made as a thank you to Kate Tova, who shares my love of sparkle. It’s available for sale, but it’s quite expensive, owing to the time it takes to hand stitch some 50+ jewels.

Every photo below is a link to buy. (As are the ones above.)

Spacegooose mask