User:PGHistorian/sandbox
 | |
| Company type | Lifestyle Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Graphic Design |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Zack D’Ulisse |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Casual wear: t-shirts, sweatshirts, headwear and accessories. |
| Website | pghclothing.com |
Pittsburgh Clothing Company is an American Lifestyle Brand in partnership with Spread Group. [1]
The company was founded on August 16, 2012 as "Center Field Smoke", and officially became Pittsburgh Clothing Co. on March 18, 2017.
Gaining most of its popularity on social media, Pittsburgh Clothing Company’s niche is to provide unique, on-the-spot t-shirt designs based on current events happening in and around the city of Pittsburgh that cannot be found at large stores or licensed team shops.
Origins and History
Pittsburgh Clothing Company was founded by University of Akron alumnus Zack D’Ulisse.[2] Inspiration for the company’s first design came during a Pittsburgh Pirates game, when Pittsburgh’s pitcher A.J. Burnett had a verbal altercation with Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Hanley Ramirez, telling the shortstop to “sit the f*** down.”[3]The incident became an online sensation, but also a business opportunity for the graphic designer who simply created a shirt to remember the moment and support his favorite baseball team.[4]
On August 28, 2012 Karen Burnett posted a photo of A.J. Burnett wearing the shirt to her Instagram page. Once the photo caught the attention of the Pittsburgh Pirates fanbase, it went viral throughout the city of Pittsburgh and inspired D'Ulisse to continue to work on new designs and establish a business.[5]
Center Field Smoke
The “Center Field Smoke” name originates from Manny’s BBQ, a food stand located in center field at PNC Park operated by World Series Champion Manny Sanguillen. During Pirates home games, smoke can occasionally be seen bellowing out from behind the ‘batter’s eye’ when food is being prepared on the grills. [6]
Rebrand to Pittsburgh Clothing Co.
On March 18, 2017, at exactly 4:12 AM, ‘Center Field Smoke’ surprisingly rebranded to ‘Pittsburgh Clothing Company.’ The announcement came via Twitter.[7] D’Ulisse explained that the re-brand was a long time coming because ‘Center Field Smoke’ caused confusion with consumers and the website often received inquiries thinking that it was a vape or cigar shop.[8]
Pittsburgh Clothing Company is best known for their ‘in-the-moment’ t-shirt designs that stemmed from sporting events such as Sit The F*** Down, HBK[9], Walking on Sunshine[10], Pittsburgh Finished It[11], and Pain[12].
On May 7, 2021, Pittsburgh Clothing Company was named to Spreadshop’s “Top Shops of April 2021” list, which featured them in the #1 spot.[13]
Fundraising
Building Bridges Bar Crawl
The Building Bridges Bar Crawl is an annual Pub crawl with three goals: to raise money for someone in need, to develop relationships with local businesses, and to have fun. The event rotates to new locations around the Pittsburgh area, and welcomes anyone to join. All proceeds made from each bar crawl are donated to a person in need. [14]
The event has grown in popularity each year, building new bridges between Pittsburgh’s businesses and locals. The crawl makes money by having companies sponsor the official bar crawl t-shirt, which is necessary for entry. There are also tickets to enter, which come with the official t-shirt.
Past events
2020 Building Bridges Bar Crawl
The 2020 Building Bridges was Pittsburgh Clothing Company’s largest bar crawl to date, gathering 200 people and raising over $5,000.[15] The event took place in North Shore (Pittsburgh) and brought participants to 10 different bars. All proceeds from this crawl were donated to a person struggling with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [16]
2017 Backyard Brawl Crawl
The “Backyard Brawl Crawl” was the inaugural event for Pittsburgh Clothing Company’s series of bar crawls held on December 9, 2017.[17] The event’s theme was based on the Backyard Brawl, a rivalry between colleges West Virginia University and University of Pittsburgh. With the two schools facing off in College basketball, the bar crawl took place in Shadyside (Pittsburgh).
The proceeds from the event were donated to Pittsburgh-based organization Oncology Nursing Foundation.
Project 34
Project 34 is a foundation created by former Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams with a mission to positively impact the lives of those living with a spinal cord injury by providing necessary medical equipment, assistive devices, and aiding in the cost for physical therapy.[18]
Pittsburgh Clothing Company designed the foundation’s logo and sells its shirts out of their online shop. The proceeds earned go towards easing stress that accompanies the financial burden of these necessary materials, so that the patient and their families can focus on living a fulfilling life. PGHCCo was also involved in the creative process and design for Project 34’s ‘Dingers in the Desert’ Home Run Derby and ‘Project 34 Golf Classic’ both held in Arizona.
Project 34 was inspired by the journey of Cory Hahn. A dear friend, former roommate and teammate of Williams, and a person living with a spinal cord injury.
50 Reasons to Win
“50 Reasons to Win” was a t-shirt created during the 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers season in support of Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier, who suffered a career-ending injury in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.[19]
Proceeds from the t-shirt were donated to Rise Again, an organization in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania that supports individuals with spinal cord injuries.[20]
References
- ^ "Sell T-Shirt Designs Online". Spreadshop. March 24, 2020.
- ^ Cody Kohlman (February 12, 2021). "Back to the Burgh - Zack D'Ulisse Pittsburgh Clothing Company". YouTube (Podcast). Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ Charlie Wilmoth (August 16, 2012). "Animated: A.J. Burnett Tells Hanley Ramirez To Sit Down". SB Nation. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Dave Gossett (March 21, 2014). "Express Yourself". Herald-Star. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Jake Flatley (July 11, 2015). "Center Field Smoke Seen Throughout Pittsburgh". Weirton Daily Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ @HolyFamily4all (September 16, 2015). "Smoke coming from CF grill at PNC Park". Twitter. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ @PGHClothingCo (March 18, 2017). "INTRODUCING: Pittsburgh Clothing Co". Twitter. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Matt Gajtka (February 10, 2020). "10 Questions". Patreon (Podcast). Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Rob Rossi (May 19, 2016). "Penguins HBK Line Hot Away from Ice". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ Michelle Crechiolo (May 7, 2020). "The picture worth a thousand memes". Pens Inside Scoop. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Matthew Florjancic (December 1, 2019). "Pittsburgh finished it': Pittsburgh company celebrates win over Cleveland Browns with new t-shirt". WKYC. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Ryan Deto (March 29, 2021). "Pittsburgh Clothing Co. introduces "Pain" merch just in time for Pirates season". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Spreadshop (May 7, 2021). "A Spreadshop for Everyone: Top Shops for April 2021". Spreadshop Blog. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ "Bar Crawl". PGH Clothing Co. November 15, 2019.
- ^ North Shore Nine (February 23, 2020). "BNS9 Episode 194-2.23.20". iHeartRadio (Podcast). Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ "Building Bridges Bar Crawl". Local-Pittsburgh. February 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Inaugural Backyard Brawl Crawl". Twitter. November 11, 2017.
- ^ Kevin Gorman (March 22, 2018). "'Project 34' near and dear to Pirates' Trevor Williams". Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Chris Wesseling (December 4, 2017). "Steelers LB Ryan Shazier suffers back injury". National Football League. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ "50 Reasons to Win". Twitter. December 8, 2017.