Interview with 8th Degree Black Clothing Company

by Michael Hatamoto on May 1, 2009 9:33 PM EDT

I previously spoke with the founder of the 8th Degree Black clothing company a couple of weeks ago for an MMA Opinion article, but recently chatted with the company again.

What makes 8th Degree Black different from other companies is that instead of simply putting a logo on a shirt and selling it, 8th Degree Black is a fashion brand, not a fight gear company.

"We chose to focus our graphics on MMA heritage and disciplines because we think it's a unique concept in the market," 8th Degree Black founder Tim Gilroy said. "Most sports fans -- baseball, football, etc. -- are interested in the history of their favorite sports and teams. MMA fans, and especiually guys that train, are the same way."

8th Degree also has plans for a wide variety of different t-shirts in the future.

"The company has seven total graphics currently available - 3 mens, 3 ladies and 1 youth. We are already working on some new stuff. Muay Thai, Sambo and Judo are the three concepts that will be done next, but we have plenty of more ideas for the future."

In the future, 8th Degree Black plans to open a mall kiosk that'll be located at the SmithHaven Mall on Long Island. All items available at the kiosk will also be available online, but a physical presence should help 8th Degree Black sell additional products.

"Our goal is to make the heritage of MMA fashionable," Gilroy said to end the interview.

Is this the kind of t-shirt some of you would be interested in buying? If not, why not?

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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If it doesn’t have have flaming skulls with top hats then I’m not interested.

by Shatto1 on May 1, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

“8th Degree Black is a fashion brand, not a fight gear company.”

What?

http://www.8thdegreeblack.com/images/L051.jpg

It’s the exact same bullshit every other brand is they’re just trying to be “classier” by substituting a violent phrase scrawled across the shirt with one more directly pertaining to martial arts.
I imagine their client base is friends and people who like Affliction et al but don’t want to actually wear those specific brands.

by Simco on May 2, 2009 3:57 AM EDT reply actions

you weren’t kidding about same shit, different label.

"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy

by Benicio on May 2, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I have seen this girl in porn at some point. Someone back me up here.

by Derek Suboticki on May 2, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Christ, I pity you. Those eyes terrify me.

by inadvertentgroinstrike on May 2, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

heh

Find another MMA shirt that presents a specific fight style without skulls, pit bulls, and unnecessarily large company logos.

I’ll wait. :)

by mma opinion on May 3, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

So many of the shirts with the flaming skull heads are horrible. They look like they belong at a metal concert rather than representing a sport. Having simpler designs and representing the sport is important. I hope this co can do that in a positive manner and help it grow!

by NCSAR on May 2, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

These shirts aren’t terrible and they are much cleaner looking than the Skull/Dagger/Indian burial grounds themed shirts. I’m not sure I’d ever wear them but I wish them luck.

by Shatto1 on May 2, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions