Our Story!

Our Story <3

All about the artists and their stories! Bringing the ArtFair to your home, one tee at a time.

Lydia and Ethan with early designs and SillySaurs coloring book
Lydia & Ethan, founders, with early designs and Gary's Sillysaurs coloring book 💛
Lydia and Ethan, ArtFair Apparel founders
Lydia & Ethan, founders of ArtFair Apparel with fabulous artist, Judy 💛
✦ How It Started

In the summer of 2024, ArtFair Apparel was born from one simple but meaningful idea: to bring the magic of art and the incredible stories behind it straight to your closet. Just two besties, Lydia and Ethan, chatting in a park about how they wanted to make the world a happier place.

You know that feeling when you're exploring a small town, chatting with local artists at a market or gallery, and you just feel the passion in what they do? That spark of community and creativity? That's what we wanted to capture and share, no matter where you live.

So, we searched for just that. We hopped in the car and drove all around Colorado (and now Wyoming!) to find these fabulous artists. In art centers, galleries, nonprofits, even in their homes. Kinda wild, we but wanted to find our icons! Every shirt we make features original art from real working artists... people you'd actually want to hang out with! And we print everything locally here in Colorado using screen printing. The good stuff, made to last, with love and ink :)

✦ What We Stand For
🎨 Real Artists, Real Stories
Every design starts with a real person and a real story. When you wear ArtFair, you're carrying someone's inspiration, process, and heart out into the world.
💛 10% to the Artist, Always
We give 10% of every single sale directly to the artist. Not just profits. Every sale. So they earn money every time someone wears their art.
🌱 Artists Choose a Nonprofit
At the end of each year, we donate 10% of our total company profits to nonprofits chosen by the artists themselves. Their art, their cause.
🏔️ Made in Colorado
Screen printed locally with tees made to last. And we stand behind the quality! We're here to help always! Meaningful art you'll actually want to wear.
✦ How It Works

Our work is alll about the artists and their stories, and we love giving y'all the chance to learn the stories behind your tees. Plus, we're always excited to share new art, which is why (in addition to a catalog of Classic Tees that stick around) we also release limited edition tees every 3 weeks that are available for 72 hours. When the window closes, the tees are made to order and shipped out.The most popular designs stick around and become part of our Classics collection! More beautiful art, more amazing artists getting to share their stories and work with you all! And they're so excited about it :)

Thanks for being here. Seriously, besties!! When you shop with us, you're not just picking out a tee, you're joining a movement that lifts up these amazing artists and puts their stories out into the world. You did that!!

We are so glad you found us 💛

With love,
Lydia & Ethan
Founders of ArtFair Apparel

P.S. — "Only 10% commission to the artists?" Let's talk about that for a sec.

We get it, 10% sounds small. But here's why it's actually a big deal: most apparel companies offer 5% or less, and that's after costs. We give 10% of the full sale price directly to the artist, no matter what. They earn money every time someone wears their art and they don't have to take on any of the business risk. We handle the shirts, printing, shipping, and spreadsheets so they can focus on creating. Thanks for making all of this possible. 💛