Made in Portland: Yeah WhateverZ Apparel

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

YeahWhateverZ

Michael Addison, founder of Yeah WhateverZ

Meet Michael Addison, founder of Yeah WhateverZ, a custom apparel company selling pop culture fanatics printed T-shirts of their favorite celebs, shows and games.

SLIDES: See Yeah WhateverZ Slideshow BELOW

Yeah WhateverZ, got its start when Michael Addison’s girlfriend at the time decided to create an Etsy account for him.

“[She] asked me what I wanted to name my company. Me, playing video games at the time, replied 'Yeah Whatever.' So that's what it became.”

Yeah WhateverZ has held strong for almost a year now, creating apparel for “teenagers or anyone who has ever asked for a shoutout on Instagram.” The company focuses primarily on T-shirts covered with popular culture references such as cartoon characters Finn and Jake from Adventure Time and musicians such as rapper Asap Rocky and singer Lana Del Rey.

“Miley Cyrus or Kanye West are always hot sellers, but if you want to talk about hot sellers, we have a Sriracha T-shirt.”

T-shirts and sweater prices range from $28-$60 and custom T-shirts from $30 up to $75. Sometimes Yeah WhateverZ also gives away free socks, with no purchase necessary.

You can also create your own custom pillowcase, socks, or backpacks in whatever colors and image your heart desires.

So how do they put the design of your choice on the apparel?

Addison uses a computer printer called Dye Sublimation. “Currently, I am the only guy in Oregon with these machines, so there was an open market to design some incredible new fashion.”

Addison continues to create new apparel images “that stir people's emotions,” he says.

“I am currently working on a Justin Bieber with a black eye and Orlando Bloom in the background. My clothing makes people laugh, and puts smiles on their faces.”

YeahWhateverZ, 512 NW 9th Avenue [link to website], 97209, [email protected]