CHASE CENTER team store

As of the second week of February, 2021, the fully realized, Limited, ‘Wearable Art/Print’ Editions of my original color pencil and pastel drawings of the Warriors, are officially Team Store items! As YaniMade closes in on it’s 6th year, I have reached the fulfillment of my original vision- perfecting all the details of the shirt (pattern, printing, sewing, fabric, branding), selling in it’s natural habitat, the team’s Chase Center official store.

The original inspiration in May 2015 came from an artistic sensibility for fashion, team gear, and realizing that with my original artwork as the force behind it, I could create something unique which would challenge me both creatively and provide the customer team gear both unique and enduring. Additionally, the challenge of rivaling big apparel companies with my own creations stoked the competitive fire in me. After a few years, perpetually in a no leverage position with manufacturers as a solo operation on limited budget, with very specific needs in desired manufacturing quality, I had no idea if I could ever get the shirt perfected, let alone reach my pro retail vision, so clearing that hurdle is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. The journey began on a drafting table in Berkeley, has taken many twists and turns, with countless hours and capital invested in learning sublimation printing manufacturing and the Adobe design prep work with help of my photographer and creative partner Todd. We started from scratch with several manufacturers, yet always saw a breakthrough and step forward with each learning experience in manufacturing.

Each shirt is artist numbered and signed on the hang tag, the prints are sublimated on a is a 88% premium poly/12% spandex jersey fabric. To say this project has been anointed by divine intervention would be an understatement, however it was always in response to faith and relentless persistence. After 3.5 years of creating prototypes, Mark Killeen of Full Turn Direct, along with the Warriors retail director Jeff Knepp gave me a shot to prove my concept during the second half of the ‘18-’19 season, selling a small amount of the perfected inventory in the Oracle Arena VIP courtside club kiosks, which proved successful, thus allowing the project to move forward. Manufacturing challenges (starting over with yet another manufacturer, this time over seas, plus a transitional year to the new Chase Center) piggybacked by the COVID shutdown, a lost year put the future up in question, and it seemed that the opportunity may never returm. However thankfully the full editions did make it to retail before the end of the 20-21 season. If you’re in the Bay Area, stop by the Chase Center Team Store and purchase a wearable print of my original artwork! You will help give YaniMade a future, and own one of the most high quality, and unique garments in sports apparel history.

Still ahead is the original big picture goal of successfully making art a career, finding the patrons who appreciate and value the original artworks, the heart and spirit behind it all. So the journey isn’t over! :)