Muscular Liberals

T-SHIRTS FOR TERROR

For those wishing to spruce up their current wardrobe, I give you Danish T-shirt company Fighters+Lovers. From their website:

Fighters+Lovers is the brand that takes fashion beyond new horizons. We have a passion for change. In a world obsessed with envy and hate, Fighters+Lovers dares to speak up for brotherhood and the right to fight for what is right.

A laudable aim I'm sure. The blurb continues:

Fighters+Lovers is a private enterprise dedicated to the cause of freedom and hard-rocking streetwear.

Mmmmm, niiice.

Cringe-worthy mission statement aside, here's how they intend to "speak up for brotherhood and the right to fight for what is right":

5 euros of the price you pay for our products at an authorized dealers are sent straight to Palestine or Colombia, where your money pays for new equipment for radio stations and graphics workshops run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This is our tribute to these freedom fighters.

And there was me thinking they were against a world obsessed with hate. For those who may need to know, here's how the BBC describes these "freedom fighters":

The Farc has been involved in a 40-year conflict with Colombian state forces and right-wing paramilitary groups, in which tens of thousands of civilians have died.

It has increasingly turned to the illegal drug trade to raise funds.

The PFLP, which combines Arab nationalism with Marxist-Leninist ideology, has carried out suicide attacks inside Israel and against Jewish settlements.

It sees the destruction of Israel as integral to its struggle to remove Western influence from the Middle East.

Ah, speaking up for brotherhood. And the small matter of the destruction of Israel.

What could have possibly inspired Fighters+Lovers to come up with such a morally repugnant venture? Carlos the Jackal's shades? Castro's beard? Galloway's tash? Well that's not too far from the truth:

Fighters+Lovers is greatly in debt to the stylish classic coolness of Palestinian fighter Leyla Khaled and the funky outrageous style of Colombian guerrilla commander Jacobo Arenas. Our Collection 2006 is inspired by the style and principles of these legendary fighters.

It wouldn't be right not to include a photo or two of this pair of inspirational fashion icons:

It would appear that Bobby at Fighters+Lovers has a thing about "Chicks With Guns" ( (c) Q. Tarantino) and, um, moustachioed men in wellington boots.

Well, whatever rocks your long-boat, I guess.

(N.B. He's not the only person to have a thing about "Chicks With Guns" but at least this chap uses the best Danish export since bacon: LEGO.)

Going back to their website, prepare to cringe for a second time as Fighters+Lovers express their admiration for their somewhat dubious style gurus:

Let them bring it on. You rock!

"Totally bodacious revolutionary T-shirts, dude," I hear you thinking, "but how can I get my hands on one?" Good question.

It seems that Bobby might have realised a fundamental flaw in his business plan:

When you buy Fighters+Lovers products you might experience legal problems because of US or EU "antiterrorist" legislation, outlawing financial support to organizations labelled as "terrorists", including the PFLP and the FARC.

Indeed you might. And Bobby also might have a few problems of his own. From the BBC:

Under Danish legislation introduced in 2002, anyone found guilty of directly or indirectly financing terrorist groups can be jailed for up to 10 years.

Oh dear. Bobby could end up a genuine fashion victim, languishing away in a Danish jail. Not that that seems to bother him:

But anyway, when was the last time you listened to someone who told you what you couldn't wear?

Oh, you rebel you.

How to sum up Fighters+Lovers? In the words of the footer on their sales page:

When style matters...

but ethics don't. And presumably when traditional "Palestinian Chic" is not enough.

You can contact Freedom+Lovers by emailing Bobby at: bobby@fightersandlovers.com. I'm sure he'll welcome your input.

HAT TIP: Mikey


UPDATE

New bloggers on the block Oli and Jonny have a template letter here that you can send to Fighters+Lovers to let them know just how much you appreciate their efforts.

posted by Dan @ 4:01 pm