28 Feb 2014


UK based Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi making is ten years old! I say this because as far as I am aware, the very first British company to make a BJJ gi was Evolution Fightwear - who released their eponymous debut gi way back in late 2003 and beginning of 2004. The photo above shows Dave 'Speedy' Elliot wearing that very first gi!

Andy Smith, owner of Evolution, tells me:

"Evolution began in 2001 and the first BJJ gi I believe was not until the end 2003 beginning 2004 I only made 12 or something like that as a test run and they went well ,they were made in Brazil, I can only find one picture of Dave Speedy in it which is dated Oct 2004 (Im sure this was the first design ) I don’t recall any other UK brands at the time."

While Evolution were most probably the first, they were soon followed by a number of brands - all of whom have been pivotal in shaping the fightwear and jiu jitsu clothing scene we have today. Here is a brief timeline and rundown of the major players in the past ten years:-


A Short History of BJJ Brands in the UK

UK based Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi making is ten years old! I say this because as far as I am aware, the very first British company to make ...

18 Feb 2014


Summary
Improved version of the popular Zero-G range by Tatami Fightwear sees a gi that rivals their own Estilo model. The design elements are much improved and the cut is a little bit slimmer than previous versions. I still prefer my Estilo over the Zero G, but, apart from price, there's little to really set these two apart.

Disclosures
I have worked for Tatami Fightwear on a freelance basis over numerous projects. I have had no input into this product.

Information
Zero G V3 gi is available at www.tatamifightwear.com and various other vendors.
Price: £81 (black model), £77 (white model).


Review: Tatami Fightwear Zero G (Version 3)

Summary Improved version of the popular Zero-G range by Tatami Fightwear sees a gi that rivals their own Estilo model. The design elemen...

15 Feb 2014


Summary
Super colourful fight shorts designed by comic artist Bong Abad and featuring the creative characters of Art Junkie. The shorts are sturdy, well reinforced and provide ample room for movement. Very wide velcro waistband did feel a bit uncomfortable.

Disclosures
I have worked with Bong Abad before on several art collaborations.

Information
Shorts available at http://gawakotoclothing.co.uk/
Price: £39.99

Review: Gawakoto Save The Earth Shorts

Summary Super colourful fight shorts designed by comic artist Bong Abad and featuring the creative characters of Art Junkie. The shorts ...

13 Feb 2014


I was chatting one day on Facebook to someone about coats of arms and we all agreed that a coat of arms dedicated to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would be a great idea for me to try. So here it is, the Ministry of Jiu Jitsu t-shirt - available from 13th February from my store www.meerkatsu.com

We printed it onto our very popular soft style, ringspun, high quality cotton t-shirt and we used a lightly metallic water-based soft ink. The printing company did an outstanding job! See the photos here:

Meerkatsu Brand: The Ministry of Jiu Jitsu

I was chatting one day on Facebook to someone about coats of arms and we all agreed that a coat of arms dedicated to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ...

4 Feb 2014


This rather handsome beast on the rashguard is a unicorn I drew for popular cult fightwear brand Pony Club Grappling Gear (PCGG).

You can buy it here - http://www.rollmore.com/pony-grap-rg.html
The official website is here - http://www.ponyclubgrapplinggear.com/
but it is down until the owners are settled in their new home in Abu Dhabi.
The Facebook page and Instagram accounts are active however.

Meerkatsu art: Pony Club Grappling Gear

This rather handsome beast on the rashguard is a unicorn I drew for popular cult fightwear brand Pony Club Grappling Gear (PCGG). You c...

1 Feb 2014


Summary
US based 93 Brand with two of their latest gi releases. The Charlie is an ultra lightweight black dyed pearlweave gi while the Tau is a super soft white goldweave gi. Both gis offer differing levels of fit, comfort and aesthetics with the Charlie gi being fairly stable after several washes and the Tau shrinking in some regions by a large margin.


Review: 93 Brand Charlie and Tau

Summary US based 93 Brand with two of their latest gi releases. The Charlie is an ultra lightweight black dyed pearlweave gi while the T...

 

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