Welcome to Free T-Shirt Tuesdays—your chance to win a cool tee from an emerging name in fashion just because you're you. To enter to win, send us a compelling email explaining why you want the t-shirt (it's a men's size small) and read on to find out more about Jason Laurits, the talented designer behind Plaster!

How did you get into t-shirt design?
I taught myself how to silkscreen when I was singing in bands around NYC in my early 20s. I would make posters and t-shirts to promote shows. Eventually, I moved to London for a bit, and to make ends meet I started silkscreening tees and selling them at the markets there. When I got back to the States, my friend found the Young Designer's Market (aka The Market NYC) on Mulberry and I've been there every weekend since.

Where do you look to for inspiration?
I've always been a vintage guy, love anything old, not cool or trendy, but with potential. So I guess you could say thrift stores, flea markets, antiques. The most unlikely things just pop out at me from all directions. The one place I try not to find inspiration is other people's shirts.

What are the big trends you see in t-shirts right now?
At this very moment I think a lot of people are doing layers upon layers of images. A lot of focus is on oddities and antique images being layered together. But I would say to newcomers, think beyond this and find the next idea. Possibly something simpler. And people seem to want that one-of-a-kind t-shirt that no one has a match of. I don't think this will ever change.

Any advice for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Go with the flow and keep, keep going. It is so amazing how energy will swing in and out of your work, how one minute everyone likes it, the next they don't, and after that, they're back. And also, just keep focused. That has been my biggest lesson of my 20s. The importance of focus.

If you live in the New York-area, check out Jason's stuff every weekend at The Market. Everyone else can shoot him an email about purchasing info. Below, read the email poem we received from Holly H., last week's winner!

my belly is big
there's a bun in the oven
i could wear a cape
if i were in a coven

i'm desperate for clothes
i can wear in the heat
a really cool shirt
that would be sweet

it may not fit
all the way down
to the waist of my pants
as i walk around town

but i'm hoping to be
a cool mama cat
and i can still wear the shirt
when my belly is flat!

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