I.V. Garb Prepares T-Shirt Takeover

Once upon a time, college parties could suffice on an iPod and a string of Christmas lights-but not these days. If you’ve been to Isla Vista-or downtown-recently, you’ve probably heard the rumor that a party’s not a party unless it’s thrown by Sam Cantor and Tommy Grandsaert, the infamous faces and ingenious minds behind the T-shirt-making-turned-production-company I.V. Garb. These two UCSB seniors have come a long way since their days designing T-shirts from their dorm rooms. After making slipping on (not stripping off) a tee cooler than ever, Cantor and Grandsaert have begun providing the space and the soundtrack for today’s Isla Vista partying experience.

I.V. Garb’s resume is chock-full of evidence as to why the hard-working, student-run company trumps the rest. From their epic backyard parties to their impressive deejay networks (who regularly spin at Tonic and Q’s), I.V. Garb satisfies their unending tee-and-tank-toting fanbase-which includes UCSB alumni and current kid millionaire Steve Aoki-and gives dance-crazed kids more than one reason to love college.

Together, they’ve hosted several events boasting world-celebrated deejays and a few hundred professional partiers. But, for the Garb boys, it’s not just about the partying; it’s about the creative expression that fuels it. On top of their success as a clothing and production company, I.V. Garb is an official UCSB-sanctioned student organization that aims to create outlets and venues for artistic expression, with the caveat that they have a good time while doing it.

If you want to know what all the fuss is about, I.V. Garb invites you join in on some of the funtastic events that they guarantee will “melt your face off.” On Saturday, May 9, the company will host a drug-and-alcohol free event at Anisq’Oyo’ Park as a “green alternative” to Floatopia 2’s scheduled beach blitz. They’re also throwing a charity benefit with UCSB’s Improvability at the Hub on Friday, May 15. Lastly, if you’re itching to be a cool kid and wanting in on one of their tops, they will be setting up camp outside Extravaganza on Saturday, May 16, selling the “best of” from their collection. And if you survive the madness, you can, at the very least, say you left with more than just a lousy T-shirt. Visit ivgarb.com for shirts and info.