Elvis Is Now With the Band
Los Angeles-based novelty T-shirt label With the Band recently announced that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to market the legendary performer’s image with its collection of fashion-forward T-shirts.
Owner Felicia Arlin, who launched With the Band three years ago, said the move is part of a long-term goal by her company to turn the label into a brand name.
Arlin said she presented a few test samples of her Elvis T-shirts to department stores a few months back and got a positive reaction from buyers. The next step, Arlin said, was to convince Presley’s estate to allow her company to update his image.
“The idea of broadening the Elvis Presley catalog with trendy new looks caught their attention immediately,” said Arlin.
According to Arlin, the new deal requires her company to pay royalty fees in addition to an unspecified amount for licensing Presley’s image.
Delivery dates for the shirts begin in June—coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Presley’s death. Arlin, who counts herself among a new generation of Elvis fans, designed her collection to appeal to a wide audience. “To older generations, Elvis is a legend, but to newer generations he’s a hot-looking guy on a T-shirt whether you know who he is or not.”
For the collection, Arlin chose 25 images, which span from the beginning of Presley’s career in the ’50s to the early ’70s. Each image is embellished with rhinestones and glitter, and the shirts come in various styles, including short-sleeve crew-neck, lace-up split-neck, raw-edge muscle tee, raglan tee and raw-edge short-sleeve. Wholesale price points range from $10 to $12.
For more information, call (310) 271-9185. —Claudia Figueroa
