Ele the Octo Tee
Ele the Octo Tee
Introducing our “Ele the Octo” Tee—A Fusion of Music, Art, and 1980’s Skate Culture.
Dive into a wave of nostalgia and vibrant creativity with our newest tee. Enjoy the dynamic silkscreen of an original drawing; by acclaimed California artist Jaimie Muehlhausen, renowned for his iconic logos and collaborations with skate legend Tony Hawk.
This design captures the essence of 1980’s skateboard deck art, a style that pulses through the core of the Northfield company culture. “Ele,” our charismatic octopus, clutches a mandolin amid a vibrant underwater scene, blending the rebellious spirit of skate art with the soulful allure of mandolin music.
Every detail of the design is crafted to evoke fond memories of adventure and challenge, celebrating the era’s bold graphics and electric colors. Wearing this tee isn't just sporting a piece of art—it’s a connection to a lineage of creativity and passion that has always driven us.
A tribute to the past and a celebration of artistic expression; our “Ele the Octo” Tee is more than apparel; it’s a statement of identity, a nod to history, and a piece of the vibrant culture we hold dear.
Find the Full-Story at the bottom of this page…
SIZING INFO
Our t-shirts typically run a Regular to Slim fit. If unsure or between in your size and fit we recommend to round up instead of down.
Additionally the T-Shirts are 100% Cotton.
Wash Recommendations: COOL/COLD wash only with like colors. TUMBLE DRY LOW.
PRO TIP: hanging to dry or laying flat to dry will help maintain a longer, happier life for your t-shirts fit and graphic design.
FULL STORY — Love The Grind
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FULL STORY — Love The Grind 🛹
1987 was an incredible year in my life. I was a teenager. Air Jordan won his first dunk contest, Andy McCarthy turned a Mannequin into Kim Cattrall... and I’d never be the same again. Cue the Starship and read the rest.
Maxell broke the sound barrier and blew my hair back too—Walkman on 11. Chuck Ts... and Chuck Ds. Tony/Steve/Mike/Rodney/Lance/Alan/Tommy and Stacy went searching for Animal Chin and I fell in love with skateboarding. I got my first pro deck in ‘87—Thank you Cab. And that summer was a thrash. My friend took his "school clothes" money and bought wood for a ramp instead. My mom, nor his, had any idea about that when she drove us to 84 Lumber in my hometown Rochester, NY. That 1/4 pipe ended up living at my house until it rotted in place. RIP.
By then it was time to dance again (Breakin’ 84-86-> Skatin’ 87-90-> Mama Said Knock you out!!). I didn’t look back through most of the 90s and then when I moved to CA it was in the air again. I got an “old school” vert ramp set-up and started cruising San Francisco streets…mostly down the long hill through Golden Gate Park to the ocean. This is exactly when visions of having my own company started to drop into my thoughts.
My trick days are over, but my love for the sport, fashion, and art is still very much a part of my senses and how I relate—try as I do—to the contemporary world. The culture of making things, donning them with expressive in-your-face finishes, and running a rag-tag business out of it was awe-inspiring. Teams of artists with crazy levels of ambition... yes... magical. And it just keeps going.
Skate deck silk-screened designs and production were absolutely masterful in the 1980s—beautifully iconic. I wanted to try something that would head in that direction. We didn’t know it could be possible to do a project with artists in that arena, but then we saw an intersection, and an opportunity.
The guy who worked as the Brand Manager and Creative Director for Tony Hawk, Jamie Muehlhausen, is deep into music and instrument design. Fellow Northfielder Zack Powers reached out, and—whammo, another connection drops in. Hooking up with Jaimie (read more about this killer artist here) was timely and immediately intuitive. The idea was to create something fun that melds the worlds of passions—past, present, and future. He grabbed lucky number 8 and “Ele” the Octo was born. VGKids, the skilled team of artists that have made all of our shirts, is in their element with this kind of screening. It all came together.
We hope you find some time this summer to get outside and cruise.
— Love The Grind —
Adrian & The Northfield Brigade