Clothing company sports Lansing pride

Jeremy Helton wears his love for Lansing on his sleeve—or better yet on a shirt or sticker or emblem. He wants others to do the same.
 
In late fall 2015, Helton launched a clothing line designed to unite T-shirt wearers behind a common promotional cause. Inspired, he says, by the city-themed clothing and promotional items he saw in his Detroit, Helton decided to add to wearable choices in his adopted hometown and started the Lansing Clothing Company.
 
"Lansing is really starting to grow. People are starting to come together and are proud of what's going on here," says Helton. "I wanted to bring something here that was a representation of our city. And give us all something to show our pride."
 
T-shirts and stickers through Lansing Clothing Company draw on iconic images as well as popular culture and events unique to the Capitol City. Current designs evoke manufacturing, entrepreneurial and state government influences, as well as sporty or whimsical trends. Men and women can choose from six short-sleeved styles in several colors, as well as a line of stickers with similar color schemes and styles. Helton is working on more designs and hopes to have up to 15 choices by summer.
 
"They're not your typical gift shop type of shirt," Helton says. "I don't want to make a typical cliché Lansing shirt with the capitol on it. I'm digging a little deeper in Lansing history."
 
Helton applies his graphic design, media and advertising acumen to create the designs through his one-man shop. At first, he produced the shirts at home using a one-color screen press. When demand picked up, he began outsourcing to Flat Out Graphics—a screen printing company in REO Town.
 
Shirts and stickers can be purchased on-line, with some items available through some Cravings Gourmet Popcorn locations. Shirts average $20 and stickers $3 each.
 
"I love Lansing because it feels like an organic place," says Helton. "People are honest. They're nice. They're hard working. And they believe in themselves a lot."
 
Source: Jeremy Helton, Owner, Lansing Clothing Company
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
 
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