We’ve all been witness to how hilariously bad some stock photos can be—like the woman who laughs as she’s eating a salad or the couple of senior citizens piggybacking at the beach. Adobe has created a clothing line showcasing—and poking fun at—these bizarre pictures with their ingenious Adobe Stock Apparel. The iconic images are printed on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and long-sleeved shirts that let you wear the cheesiness loud and proud.
The software giant partnered with Swedish ad agency Abby Priest for this project. It’s part of a marketing campaign to promote Adobe Stock, the company’s modern alternative to stock graphics. The concept emphasizes a shift from “the most infamous stock images creatives love to hate” towards pictures that they’ll actually want to use. “We wanted to pay tribute to what has been before, and then take one last glimpse backwards,” Abby Priest creative director Oskar Hellqvist explained, “before we leave it all behind and move into the new age.”
Hellqvist acknowledges that “some stock images have earned their place in the history books,” and that they’re so notorious they’re now seen as “hilarious clichés.” He adds, “Turning them into a limited-edition clothing line is our way to salute them and an attempt to create something disruptive and unconventional in the genre. The creative community already shares the knowledge and power/humor that is embedded in these images. Hopefully it's something that they will enjoy and wear.”
While we wish these pieces were for sale, Adobe says the clothing is just part of a direct marketing campaign and not available to the public.