Van Halen Bassist Debuts T-shirt Line
Anaheim, Calif.-based Bonspeed is a T-shirt collection for men and women who like fast cars and rock ’n’ roll. Owners Brad Fanshaw of Hot Rods by Boyd and Michael Anthony, the bassist for the rock band Van Halen, said the line is geared toward automotive enthusiasts who enjoy living the California lifestyle “on the edge.”
Anthony, who is temporarily on hiatus from touring, works with Fanshaw to develop graphics for the collection.
“Most of our designs encapsulate fast lifestyles with pin-striping and exciting graphics such as muscle cars,” he said.
With Bonspeed, the duo wants to introduce Middle America to automotive lifestyles, said Fanshaw.
“It’s the memories of doodle drawings of your favorite car or the night you hung out in the back seat with a girl,” he said.
Made with 100-percent cotton, the Tshirts feature styles for men, women and children in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. The collection also features basic beanies, nylon windbreakers and woven jackets. The company produces another collection, called Speed Cult, which has a vintage, rockabilly feel, said Fanshaw. The company also produces a collection of stylish watches ($95).
Price points range from $10 for a T-shirt to $50 for a woven jacket. Both collections are for immediate delivery.
Bonspeed sells its fast and furious apparel collection to specialty stores and automotive shops on the West Coast. The collection will also be sold at select Urban Outfitters stores, said Fanshaw.
Bonspeed will be in booth #13634 at the Edge at MAGIC International. For more information on the collection, call (714) 666-1999. —Claudia Figueroa
