PPB May 2015

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MAY 2015 • PPB • 15
Raglan Crew Designed for softness and com-
fort, this cotton-poly sweatshirt has reverse cover
stitching and comes in seven colors. Independent
Trading Co. UPIC: Trading www.independent-
HOODIES & SWEATSHIRTS
EMPOWERING PRODUCTS
BLOGGER ERICA DERMER RECEIVED a custom sweatshirt
advertising her gluten-free diet as a gift and decided to mass-produce the
item for sale on her website, Celiac and the Beast. The logoed shirt featured
images of a skull with wheat and read “Gluten Free For Life.” After suc-
cessful sales, the website went on to offer adult and children’s clothing, tote
bags and bumper stickers with gluten-free messaging.
“Wearing a hoodie with our skull
and cross-wheat logo and our slogan
‘gluten-free for life’ makes me feel
empowered, and dare I say it—cool,”
Dermer says. “I didn’t think I could
feel that way about being gluten-free. I
have started so many conversations
just wearing this shirt. I get to tell
people about celiac disease and urge
people to get tested if they show
symptoms.”
CASE STUDY
Heather-Fleece Crew Neck
This classic cotton-poly sweat-
shirt style looks fresh with gar-
ment-dyed colors and extra soft
30-singles face yarn. Comfort
Colors by Chouinard UPIC:
ComfortC
Fleece Pullover Hood
Recycled plastic bottles are the basis for this cotton-poly hooded sweatshirt
with a two-ply hood and durable cover-stitching throughout. Hanesbrands
UPIC: HBIINC
PHOTO BY CELIAC AND THE BEAST
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