📖 Volume 9 — First Shirt Arrival
There are moments in a creative journey where excitement and relief collide — and for me, one of those moments was when my first CityEvoke (City Evoke) t-shirts finally arrived. Opening that package, I felt pure energy. Excited. Happy. Almost electrified.
The blanks themselves felt like a milestone: 300gsm black boxy fits (XS to XXL, 2–3 per size), plus a smaller run of 240gsm versions. Heavyweight, structured, and built for streetwear. For the first time, I could actually hold the canvas that would carry CityEvoke’s designs.
Even though it wasn’t my first time handling equipment or materials, this was different. This was for CityEvoke (City Evoke)! What surprised me most was how good they felt on body. The weight, the structure, the way the boxy fit draped — I could instantly picture my art printed on them, turning these blanks into something unique and one-of-a-kind.
The biggest lesson from that moment was understanding the real difference between 240gsm and 300gsm. The thickness, the warmth, the durability, even the way colors would pop — it all clicked. For me, 240gsm is perfect for lighter use or eco-friendly drops, but 300gsm carries that premium streetwear feel.
This wasn’t just about shirts. It was about the vision becoming real, step by step.
📖 Volume 10 — Smashcon Attempt (Failed Sample)
Looking back on my Smashcon attempt, it feels like one of those chaotic chapters every creator has to go through. My heat press arrived literally the day before the event, which left me with less than 12 hours to learn everything — printing, cutting, pressing. Honestly, everything about that night was hard. I had no idea what I was doing and had to lean on my mum and aunt just to push through.
The last attempt - on my precious 300 gsm tee - failed. Watching it get ruined was exhausting. I felt defeated, sad and honestly too drained to care in that moment. It stung, because I had wasted one my best shirts and I knew I couldn't fix it in time.
In the end, I went to Smashcon in casual clothes. No CityEvoke (City Evoke) tee. Instead, I just showed my designs to my friends and family at the convention, explaining what I had planned to wear. At first, it felt like I had missed my shot.
But inspiration came in unexpected ways. Walking around Smashcon, I saw pop-up stores, anime shirt designs, even Ghibli-inspired shops. The skyscraper art and anime streetwear booths especially grabbed me. Seeing people not just looking at designs but wanting to buy them — that was the most motivating part. It reminded me why I was doing this.
If I could redo that weekend, I wouldn’t grind myself into the ground in 12 hours. I’d prep days earlier, learn the printing process, and test on smaller blanks first. Still, the failure gave me perspective: Smashcon wasn’t my launch. It was a glimpse of what’s possible. One day, I’ll be there not as a visitor, but as a brand with my own booth.
📖 Volume 11 — Packaging the Vision
Streetwear is more than clothes — it’s an experience. That’s why packaging has always been important to me. It’s not “just a bag or a box.” It’s part of what makes the purchase feel worth the price, part of what transforms a shirt into a piece of art.
For CityEvoke (City Evoke), I’m planning packaging that feels as personal as it does premium. Every order will include a thank you card, stickers, and a story insert that ties back to the Neon Dreams universe. Depending on the drop, there may also be keychains and posters. Even the outer packaging is tailored: eco-friendly sleeves for the 240gsm shirts, and a more creative, custom-designed box for the 300gsm releases.
When someone opens a CityEvoke (City Evoke) package for the first time, I want them to feel amazed. Excited. Like they just got more than a shirt — they got a piece of a world. The packaging should reflect my inspirations: anime, neon lights, cyberpunk cities, not a sterile luxury minimalism. This is about boldness, not simplicity.
If I had to compare the dream unboxing experience to other brands, I’d say it’s a mix of Killstar’s collectible packaging, Superplastic’s art-toy unboxing, and the weight of high-end streetwear brands like Supreme. That balance of anime-inspired storytelling, creative inserts, and premium construction is what makes CityEvoke (City Evoke) stand out.
Because in the end, unboxing should feel like stepping into the world of Neon Dreams.
