Q & A WIth Tino Slansky, Founder of Cistine Clothing!

http://cistineclothing.com/qanda%20Tino%20Slansky.html

Tino Slansky of bands such as The Getup Sets Fire and This Stereo Rising is the brains and front man of the up and coming brand Cistine; Striving for apparel that is simplistic yet artistic, bringing art out of costly museums and to the public onto an everyday canvas; apparel. Cistine not only is just a clothing company but includes a non-profit fundraiser called Water the Fire, which donates their entire commission from water the fire products to those in need such as their current mission which donates to orphans and orphanages around the world. Cistine also offers an online community showcasing free exposure for artists, as well as opportunities to create collaboration projects all for the goal of giving artists of all medians another place to get their name out and connect with the public. Now for his first interview ever, Cistine's Founder and Art Director, Tino Slansky.

Heres a preview!




Cistine is a label that incorporates a love of music and art while building a community to connect artists and the public, but what are the key elements of your brand that set you apart?
Cistine offers several characteristics that set it apart from other apparel companies. To start, we strive to make really good affordable products. We are a company created by musicians, inspired by musicians and artists. We offer several lines all inspired by art and music, one being the love like violence line, another the Cistine Originals, naughty Cistine, Friends and Family which is the Cistine/Artist Collaboration products whom we work with directly; finally Water the Fire a line devoted to donating their entire proceeds to help those in need. We use only the top materials to create our apparel.

Where did you come up with the name for the brand?
To me Cistine Clothing is my personal connection to Europe. I was in English in 2007 and we were starting our senior projects planning, I quickly decided that I wanted to start a clothing company, and Cistine just came to me, I shared it with my friends and it was well received. The name Cistine comes from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, created for religion and community yet known for its art. Cistine is a clothing company yet it is also known for its art and being a community for artists. I think art and building a community for artists to connect is what we really want to be known for so Cistine just stuck. Finally I was born and adopted from Romania, so there is a sense of honoring my European heritage.
Some think that Cistine is a fusion word originating from my fiancés name and mine; Kristin and Tino. Others think that Cistine was created because my fiancés name is the exact same letter count. I love my fiancé but I was pointed out both happy coincidences early 2009, two years after Cistine was created.

Who makes up Cistines ‘Friends and Family' program?
Cistine offers the ‘Friends and Family' program to local bands and artists of all medians, however it is open to any bands or artists worldwide. We believe that art is an experience to be shared and that in this world where communication with real connections is lacking due to the ease of technology, artists need every place imaginable to get their name out and connect with fans. We make apparel and we're good at it, so in our eyes artists that fit the Cistine vision and we really feel are amazing are then offered the opportunity to design collaboration products with us. Cistine was created by musicians, inspired by musicians, for musicians, artists, and everyday men and women.

How will you keep changing directions to keep pace with the changing consumer market?
We're going to keep making sweet apparel inspired by musicians and artists for men and women. We are also currently looking to new items and other things to offer. We will keep offering artists and musicians another place to showcase their work, as well as create amazing collaboration products. We're looking into new products all the time, currently a big one is to soon offer vegan apparel.

http://www.cistineclothing.com