2020 - 2026
An independent streetwear brand built from scratch. From a screenprinting studio in Kiel to 50+ products, 14 collections and a pop-up store in Hamburg — conceived, designed and executed by one person.
Greentees taught me that a brand is never just products — it's decisions, timing and consistency. Everything I know about merch, production and visual identity, I learned by doing it myself. Five years, one person, built from zero.
THE STORY
2020
The Beginning Originally founded in 2014, Greentees was revived in February 2020 after gaining access to a screenprinting workshop. The first shirt — a spiderweb design, limited to 15 pieces — sold out at a concert in Elmshorn. The growing demand led to a second design printed on three different coloured blanks, marking the launch of the first online shop. This phase laid the foundation for Greentees and shaped the core screenprinting knowledge behind everything that followed.
Capsule Collection One Finding the right blanks with Rue Porter marked the start of the first proper collection. Multiple designs were finalised, a careful selection was made, and the very first self-organised photoshoot took place with friends at the Logo in Hamburg. Outside interest was growing — and Greentees started to feel like a real brand.
2021
Hoodman Vol. 1 Inspired by vintage horror movie posters, a fictional film called "Hoodman" became the concept for the next drop — a poster-style graphic printed on two shirts and two hoodies. The best drop to that point. This was also the moment "Greentees Studios" was born as a sub-label, used in collections from here on.
Self Love Collection A personal and challenging period in early 2021 directly shaped this collection. Two designs focused on mental health — the Self Love Club logo and "Be Kind to Your Mind" — along with the Greentees brand logo that remains in use today. The most personal collection of the brand, and the message that became its most recognisable identity.
2022
Y2K Drop Work on the first custom product — Greentees socks — began at the end of 2020. When the first sample arrived, it was clear they needed a full collection around them. The Y2K Drop expanded the product range significantly: socks, joggers, a beanie and three prints across shirts and hoodies.
Anniversary Drop & Love Soldier The 2-year anniversary was marked with the release of a second design that had been held back since the very first drop. Shortly after, a collab with musicians Yong Casso and Antek Pistole produced the Love Soldier shirts — two designs raising awareness for Ukraine, with €5 from every sale donated to #LeaveNoOneBehind.
Script Collection The first collection after moving to Hamburg, with a new workshop. The Script logo was printed across shirts, a zip hoodie, joggers and shorts. Bestsellers Self Love Club and Be Kind to Your Mind returned to the lineup.
Hoodman Vol. 2 A deeper dive into vintage film poster research produced the second Hoodman drop. Two prints across shirts, hoodies and — for the first time — longsleeves. The design was also used as a poster during the promo phase.
2023
Self Love Club Relaunch A keychain with the Self Love Club logo led directly to a new shirt. The shop system moved to Shopify. New colourways — lilac shirt and hoodie — brought fresh energy to the bestselling design.
Henke x Greentees The first official brand collaboration. Built around mental health — a reinterpretation of the Be Kind to Your Mind logo alongside a new design with "Self Love" rendered in Braille. A project rooted in shared values.
2024
Vintage Self Love Club A trip through the USA in April reinforced the deep interest in vintage fashion and made it clear the brand needed to reflect that — without losing its foundation. The result: a vintage reinterpretation of the bestselling Self Love Club design, printed on washed black and vintage white blanks sourced from Portugal.
2025
Metal Drop A passion for metal music finally made it into the brand. The standout piece: the Metal Mesh Jersey — the first product ever designed and produced entirely to custom specifications. Alongside it, a windbreaker and the second jogger in Greentees history. A collection that felt the most personally driven since Hoodman.
Hoodman Vol. 3 Improved design skills in vintage wash aesthetics and a new direct-to-garment printing option with the blank supplier made it possible to realise Hoodman the way it was always imagined — full colour, no compromise. The most technically advanced and visually complete version of the series.
The Last Drop The final Greentees product: a Marl Grey Small Logo Self Love Club Hoodie. Minimal in execution, full in meaning. The bestselling design, stripped back to its essence — a quiet but fitting end to five years of the brand.
