Printed in small batches by hand inside the Brooklyn studio of denim designer Maurice Malone, this limited-edition t-shirt uses soft, water-based ink that becomes part of the fabric, giving it a smooth, vintage feel.
The design features an authentic 1980s photograph of a young denim designer wearing his original Hardwear By Maurice Malone jeans with metal knee pads, screws, and bolts—a creation that famously fused sheet metal and denim. These early experiments inspired the name of his first brand and marked the beginnings of one of the most influential African American designers in streetwear and denim.
The History of Hardwear t-shirt pays tribute to the 19-year-old Maurice Malone, who started his journey in his mother’s basement in Detroit on February 15, 1984. It’s more than a shirt—it’s a snapshot of American denim and streetwear history from a pioneer who helped shape the culture.
