Kiss, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac –Brandon Gardner has a host of vintage rock T-shirts.
Gardner, a former UA student, is a vintage clothing dealer whose next show will be in the TV lounge of the Ferguson Center today from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
He will showcase more than 2,000 shirts, most in the $10-20 range, that are available for purchase. All are authentic 70s and 80s vintage shirts that can’t be found at just any local retailer.
“Because you didn’t buy it at Abercrombie or Hollister, buying one of my shirts means that you are probably never going to go somewhere and run into someone who has the same shirt on,” Gardner said. “And I offer so many kinds, not just rock shirts, but sports ones and even ones from random events that happened during the 70s and 80s.”
Gardner’s vintage career began when he worked at his parents’ antique store, but he said he wasn’t very successful and didn’t make them “one cent.” He began selling vintage items on eBay for himself and started experiencing some success.
The idea for a vintage T-shirt line came when he saw a woman with a jewelry show at a bar.
“I’ve always loved vintage T-shirts, and my entire room used to be covered in them so when my wife and I saw this girl doing a jewelry show at a bar, the idea kind just kind of hit us right away that I should do a vintage T-shirt show,” Gardner said.
His first shows, at a bar in Birmingham called Rojo, proved to be a success. Choosing his next venue was easy, and, because he attended the University, Gardner said he thought Alabama would be the future site of his best shows.
Now, returning for his show’s fourth year at the University, his hobby has turned into a full-fledged business called 8 on Repeat Vintage Clothing. His last show had more than 5,000 invites, and he has recently been asked to do his first shows at Auburn and Mississippi State.
“I went to the show last year, and I will definitely go again this year,” said Cameron Bass, a junior majoring in psychology. “I know that if I find a cool shirt here I won’t go out and be wearing the same one as everybody else I see.”
Gardner purchases most of his shirts from vintage shows around the country, particularly one in Massachusetts that is one of the only shows with an entire T-shirt section. He also buys some from Antiques Road Show, and many just come from meeting people at his own shows.
“I love when people come up to me at shows and ask if I want a bag of old T-shirts their parents might have,” Gardner said. “I always say it’s my job to sell you the favorite shirt your mom threw away.”
Hoping to attract new and returning customers alike, Gardner will pick up any shirt he thinks somebody will like, even the most rare, which will sell for about $200. Although he specializes in men’s apparel, Gardner also carries women’s shirts and, unlike most T-shirts available today, almost all of his were made in America.
“The shows I do here usually have really steady business and, I hope a lot of people will come out even though it’s on a Friday,” Gardner said. “It’s a great show because nothing is more American than blue jeans and a T-shirt.”
