Actress-mommies Jennifer Connelly and Kate Hudson have both bought the Che tees, which are distributed by Appaman.com, an online supplier to stores like Sam & Seb, the bustling children’s boutique in Williamsburg, and Lolli’s in Park Slope. “I don’t think many of our customers are Communists,” said Harald Husum, Appaman’s founder, a Carroll Gardens resident with a 2-year-old daughter. According to Mr. Husum, he’s sold nearly 6,000 Che products since his company was launched in 2002, despite a smattering of protests from Cuban-Americans. “The whole idea behind the company was to put traditional grown-up images on babies,” Mr. Husum said. “This is not at all a political statement, it’s a fashion statement. Che’s image has a rock ’n’ roll edge to it that we’re looking for.”Clearly, someone who shells out $37.50 for a size 1T T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of a Communist icon suffers from a serious irony deficiency.
Mr. Moore’s wife, Francesca Castagnoli, a writer, wearily estimates that one in 10 kids in her ’hood own the Che shirt. “Some people probably think it’s an icon of what’s cool,” she said, adding (without apparent irony): “Also, you sort of want that independent spirit for your child.”
But that's OK. Cuz they're really sticking it to the man.
And, of course, some parents aren’t actively shopping for the shirts, but rather receive them as well-meaning gifts from that New York staple: childless hipsters. Arthur Schellenberg, a 32-year-old bachelor living on Sutton Place, recently bought a Sonic Youth T-shirt for his 14-month-old nephew, adding to a collection that includes “President Poopyhead” and “I Already Know …. ” The gesture was meant as a slight dig at his sister, who lives a comfortable suburban life with her husband in Westfield, N.J. “It’s just a little something saying, ‘Your kids will probably end up being cooler than you are,’” Mr. Schellenberg said.
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