Avoid clichés. Get Versed.
Versed Apparel combines my poetry, photography, and my desire to find a meaningful well-designed t-shirt. In this modern world where the written word is ceding its traditional paper mediums, I’m printing my voice on clothing.
The type-set line and image combo designed for each shirt conveys the immediacy of a moment and the essence of the full poem. The bonus is a different meaning for the wearer and a different interpretation by on-lookers.
Every shirt sold includes a small print that has the design image on the front and the complete poem on the back. Buy the shirt. Read the poem. Avoid clichés. Get Versed.
About Me
My trajectory through life may seem a bit odd. Born in Indianapolis and immediately swept away as a baby to be raised in the sun-drenched suburbs of Los Angeles, I migrated north to be schooled in poetry at the University of California, Santa Cruz. From there I got married and moved to Birmingham, AL. I spent five years bringing the eccentricity and creative spirit of Santa Cruz to the receptive folks in Alabama, an ardent but noble task that proved just as challenging as it was rewarding.
Like a country song, a move to Nashville also brought a change in relationship status. Nashville proved to be a welcome shoulder to cry on, as well as a spring of new life-long friends, but I had set my eyes further north to the big city on the lake. I found home in Chicago and I am now pursuing my passion to bring my poetry to a more relevant medium through Versed.
Versed Apparel reflects my life journey. The American Apparel t-shirts are forged in Los Angeles. The material is a 50/50 poly cotton blend or Tri-blend Track Tshirts that feels soft on the skin, while displaying edgy poetry written from hard learned lessons. Versed Apparel urges everyone to shop locally and mind the environment. The image designs are screened locally and with eco-safe materials by the great people at Replica Chicago. The postcards are made from recycled paper.
Mike Ruzicka-Poet, Designer, Owner.
Versed Apparel
5005 N Rockwell Street #3
Chicago, IL 60625