Shibori Threads: Custom Streetwear for Metal Fans

If the words “tie-dyed” suggest images of burnt-out hippies prancing around in a field, then you’ll be in for a rude awakening when you see the latest designs from streetwear brand Shibori Threads. Kyle Anderson and Leo Valeri of the deathcore group Brand of Sacrifice own the company. The duo has taken the tie-dyed shirt away from the confines of the stereotypical hippy aesthetic and introduced it to the metal scene. In a world in which the black shirt reigns supreme, Shibori Threads seeks to add diversity to the fashion options of metalheads.

"Coming up in the metal scene, we noticed something missing when it came to creative and colorful band merchandise,” said Valeri. “Most rock artists just print on black shirts... which is kind of boring, considering the extremely lively and exciting music they often make.”

The name Shibori Threads comes from the Japanese word, “shibori” which is an ancient method of tie-dying clothing. The founders of the company have a deep appreciation of Japanese culture which is evident in their musical project Brand of Sacrifice which takes much of their songwriting and visual influences from manga. These influences went beyond their music and into an interest in fashion.

“Kyle and I have been active in the music industry and very tuned into streetwear and alternative fashion for a long time now, so we set out to create a brand that bridges the barrier between the edgy imagery you find in metal, and the robust palettes and high quality of today's streetwear trends,” said Valeri. 

In addition to producing merchandise for their own band, Anderson and Valeri sought out to collaborate with other metal groups that they respect to further the Shibori Threads brand’s visibility. To date, Shibori Threads has released designs featuring bands Dance Gavin Dance, Whitechapel, Chelsea Grin, Thy Art Is Murder, Veil of Maya, Carnifex, Despised Icon, and Slaughter to Prevail.

Each drop of these exclusive designs is made available through a week-long window. Often the brand’s online store is sold out in less than 24 hours. The store regularly welcomes up to 20,000 visitors a month. This has resulted in the store being in the top 1% trafficked stores on Shopify. The success of the Shibori Threads is even more impressive when considering the company’s humble origins. 

“When it all began, Shibori Threads was just a passion project run out of our apartments,” said Valeri. “We were literally printing labels and shipping everything on our own, by hand. We considered it a great way to work with and support some of our favorite artists during the pandemic while making apparel we would actually wear.” 

Shibori Threads continues to release innovative designs featuring the hottest acts in metal. The brand just announced a new set of collaborations with groups Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, Crown the Empire, Fit for a King, and Erra. Each hand-made design is limited to 500 pieces. Like their previous collections, these will surely sell out fast. If you miss these designs, check-in at ShiboriThreads.com for future collections to be announced.

“Less than a year later, it's completely blown up to the point where it's a household brand in the metal and rock world,” said Valeri “We're now working on crossovers with artists and brands we wouldn't have even thought possible to collaborate with a year ago. It's the coolest thing in the world to see someone wearing one of our hoodies at a show, and the first question you hear them get asked is: `Is that a Shibori hoodie?'"

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