More than 10 years ago official Twin Peaks merchandise was but a dream. While officially licensed products were released during the show’s initial run (see Alpine Blossom and Gift Shoppe), most products released after that time were fan created. While a handful of official items were released around 2012, it really took Season 3 on Showtime to jumpstart an incredible assortment of themed-products found today. One such collection comes from Fright-Rags.com, a company founded in 2003 that specializes in creating quality products based on horror films and horror-related materials. Applying my archivist approach to all-things Twin Peaks, here is a closer look at this new collection.
HISTORY OF FRIGHT-RAGS
Based in Rochester, New York, Fright-Rags was founded in 2003 by Ben Scrivens. A long-time horror fan since first seeing John Carpenter’s Halloween at the age of four, Ben realized in the early 2000s that companies producing quality, horror-related apparel didn’t exist. Being a graphic designer, he began posting designs on a horror forum run by Justin Marby. The response was quite positive, which lead him to producing his first run of shirts for about $600. The first order arrived on September 2, 2003, and the rest is history. Ben said his company is focused “on making the most kick-ass t-shirts, and backing them with the best possible service.”
EMAIL / TWITTER TEASES FOR TWIN PEAKS COLLECTION
At 6:41 p.m. on June 16, Fright-Rags shared a tease via their Twitter account (@FrightRags).
“Our email newsletter has something to tell you…if you’re on the list, check it tonight.”
Around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, my good friend Brandon Kleyla sent me a text message with two images and the caption, “Tell your wife I’m sorry.”
Brandon, by the way, has been running a successful Instagram podcast called “Trader Brandon Transmissions”. Check out his account (@Trader_Brandon) or his YouTube page. He interviewed Cullen Douglas who played the Disc Jockey in Twin Peaks Part 8 on Showtime.
INSTAGRAM TEASES FOR TWIN PEAKS COLLECTION
They began posting teases for their collection via their Instagram account (@FrightRags) on June 18. The caption read:
“This post has something to tell you…. Our new massive Officially Licensed TWIN PEAKS Collection is coming NEXT WEDNESDAY June 24 at 10am EST! ⬅️ SWIPE ⬅️ to see ’em all! New Hats! Lounge Pants! Socks! Laura Palmer Enamel Pin! PLUS three TEES featuring the pie-lovin’ Agent Cooper — incl. the return of our fan-favorite “Damn Fine Coffee” design by artist Christopher Lovell! It all drops NEXT WEDNESDAY 6/24 at 10am EST. Don’t miss it! Only at Fright-Rags!”
The nod to the Log Lady’s quote in the copy was a nice touch.
Artwork was created by Kyle Crawford (@kyleisez), Christopher Lovell (@lovellart), #YannickBouchard and Feni Hagman (@feni3000).
The three-image post contained a look the tees, headwear and accessories that were part of the collection.
A second teaser was posted a day later on June 19 with another nod to dialog from the show. Brandon said the lounge pants were extremely comfortable.
“THIS MUST BE WHERE LOUNGE PANTS GO WHEN THEY DIE!… Does anything go better with coffee in Twin Peaks than a pair of Officially Licensed TWIN PEAKS Lounge Pants? Probably not, and the best Lounge Pants around are served up at Fright-Rags.com!
Grab a fresh pair NEXT WEDNESDAY June 24 at 10am EST during the launch of our giant collection of Licensed TWIN PEAKS gear: Tees! Socks! Hats! Enamel Pin! And of course, a damn fine pair of comfy Lounge Pants!
Pants pattern by artist Kyle Crawford (@kyleisez)”
A third teaser for the Special Agent Dale Cooper design was posted on June 23, 2020. Caption read:
“I have no idea where this will lead us, but I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange”… Grab this Officially Licensed TWIN PEAKS “Secrets” design by artist Kyle Crawford (@kyleisez) this Wednesday June 24 at 10am EST! It’s part of our new massive TWIN PEAKS Collection: New Hats! Lounge Pants! Socks! Laura Palmer Enamel Pin! PLUS three TEES! It all drops THIS WEDNESDAY 6/24 at 10am EST. Don’t miss it! Only at Fright-Rags!”
One final tease before the collection’s official launch was shared on June 23.
“Our Officially Licensed TWIN PEAKS Collection is coming TOMORROW June 24 at 10am EST! T-Shirts! Lounge Pants! Socks! Laura Palmer Enamel Pin! PLUS this new flat-brimmed TWIN PEAKS Heritage Hat & a Black Lodge Trucker Hat designed by Steve Roman Jr (@teezus_official)! Be ready! It all starts at 10am EST Tomorrow morning! Only at Fright-Rags.com! Note: This is a Pre-Order. Ships week of July 17.”
They also posted the Dale Cooper “Secrets” artwork with a countdown clock on their Instagram story.
LAUNCH DAY FOR FRIGHT-RAGS X TWIN PEAKS COLLECTION
The collection officially launched at 10:00 a.m. on June 24, 2020. They published the above image on their Facebook page around 10:05 a.m. A similar post was made on their Instagram account and on Twitter.
I signed up for their text message distribution list so I received this notification about 10:08 a.m. on launch day.
PRODUCTS IN FRIGHT-RAGS TWIN PEAKS COLLECTION
**As of March 2024, this collection is no longer available via Fright-Rags**
The first carousel image on their main Fright-Rags.com page featured the Dale Cooper shirt and lounge pants.
The landing page for the Twin Peaks collection (https://www.fright-rags.com/collections/twin-peaks) contains all nine items.
All of the items are currently available for pre-order and will ship the week of July 17, 2020.
FRIGHT-RAGS APPAREL
Here is a closer look at the three adult apparel designs.
Damn Fine Coffee (Left)
Officially Licensed Twin Peaks T-Shirt! Artwork by Christopher Lovell (@lovellart). Printed on our super soft 4.5oz 100% pre-shrunk ringspun cotton shirts.
Twin Peaks – Secrets (Center)
Officially Licensed Twin Peaks T-Shirt! Artwork by Kyle Crawford (@kyleisez). Printed on our super soft 4.5oz 100% pre-shrunk ringspun cotton shirts.
The Agent Cooper Files (Right)
Officially Licensed Twin Peaks T-Shirt! Artwork by Yannick Bouchard. Printed on our super soft 4.5oz 100% pre-shrunk ringspun cotton shirts.
They are also offering a womens cut for the Damn Fine Coffee design.
FRIGHT-RAGS LOUNGE PANTS
Designed by Kyle Crawford, these cool, casual, and comfy lounge pants will have you relaxing in serious style. Polyester/spandex blend. The 2-pocket pants are moisture-wicking, contain stretch comfort fabric and have an elastic waistband with drawstring.
BLACK LODGE SOCKS
The Black Lodge Socks contain the familiar black and white chevron floor with red accents. Officially Licensed Twin Peaks socks! Designed by Joe Guy Allard. Custom knit crew socks. 38% COMBED COTTON, 60%,NYLON, 2% LYCRA. One size fits most.
They are currently out of print, but you can request a reprint.
TWIN PEAKS HEADWEAR
Fright-Rags.com is offering two hats as part of this collection.
The officially licensed Twin Peaks Heritage Hat is a six-panel, unconstructed flat brim visor. It was designed by Steve Roman Jr. The brushed wool cap contains a 3D embroidered logo in red. There is also a faux leather adjustable slider with antique silver buckle.
My favorite details is the stitched Owl Cave / Ring symbol on the back of the hat.
Speaking of Owl Cave, the officially licensed Black Lodge Trucker Hat features that symbol on the front. Steven Roman, Jr. also designed the five-panel constructed trucker cap. The Owl Cave symbol is a 3D embroidered logo with soft mesh back. There is an adjustable snapback closure and a Fright Rags appliqué logo on wearer’s left side panel.
LAURA PALMER ENAMEL PIN
The last item in this collection is a Laura Palmer Enamel Pin. Designed by Feni Hagman (@feni3000), this 1.5″ high soft enamel pin is presented on a Black Lodge-inspired backer card. It also contains a double post with rubber clutch backing.
I’ve ordered all of these items so stay tuned for photos of the products when they arrive.
