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Supercute “I Was Born This Way” Collection Bounces into Pride
(New York, NY) June 4, 2021 – There’s a new kid on the Pride gear block, the supercute “I Was Born This Way Collection” of T-shirts, mugs, bags and more designed by New York City graphic designer and LGBTQ publicist, Andy Reynolds.
The “I Was Born This Way” baby was originally designed by Reynolds as cover art for the re-release of the 1976 gay disco anthem “I Was Born This Way” by Carl Bean on the classic New York City dance label, West End Records. The owner of the label, Mel Cheren, who was also the financial backer of the legendary Paradise Garage, loved the gay baby artwork so much, he trademarked it. Upon his death, he left the trademark to Reynolds, who’d been general manager of West End in the early 2000s.
“I always thought my little baby had potential and would make a great year round Pride T-shirt, and I love the mug,” says Reynolds of his nonbinary baby, “but my dream is to see them all grown up as a giant 3-D Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade style balloon floating above Pride celebrations. They would make a great mascot for an LGBTQ organization,” he adds. “I even have a ‘.org’ domain set aside for that purpose. But for now, starting small. Baby steps.”
Products available include a T-shirt, tank top, muscle T, hoodie, sweatshirt (all in many colors), plus a mug, tote bag, large tote/beach bag, backpack, laptop case, throw pillow (all in white) and soon, phone case.
View/shop the I Was Born Collection is available at the brand spanking new The Tee Service store on Etsy via www.iwasbornthisway.com Behind the scenes photos and video from the shoot with Ron Amato on Instagram @theteeservice.
The photos of Felisa and Chad in the I Was Born This Way T-shirts were shot by fine art photographer Ron Amato, a Professor in the Photography and Related Media department at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
About Andy Reynolds
For nearly twenty years Reynolds has been an LGBTQ publicist based in New York City doing business as Popular Publicity representing a rich spectrum of LGBTQ clients including publishers, authors, filmmakers, photographers, music artists, and events. Prior to becoming a publicist he was the editor of a dance music trade magazine and general manager of two great dance music labels, but throughout it all, he was a graphic designer at heart.
Photos of models Chad and Felisa in the I Was Born This Way T-shirt by Ron Amato. Hi-res images on request at andy@popularpublicity.com
Popular Publicity 