STREETWEAR store Rucksack Society showcased its latest T-shirt designs on Friday evening.

The Wote Street store, run by three enthusiastic young entrepreneurs, described the evening as a collaboration event, as the designs were created by local artists.

Two of them were by NZIE and Bill Thorpe, from Concrete Sketchbook, formerly known as the All Our Own Work Gallery, in Festival Place, while another was by popular tattoo artist Alex Simpson.

Aaron Barton, 20, who is in partnership with Jake Larkin, 21, and Ben Larkin, 19, said he was delighted with the designs.

He said: “We thought instead of just launching the designs, let’s have a party. We’ve had a great response and business is going very well for us.

“We hope we have a community feel where people can socialise rather than being just a boring shop.”

Also on show were designs by Basingstoke’s very own independent clothing label, the LAB.

Aaron said: “These guys have done so much for the community over the years. It’s a brand we grew up wearing and is a monumental step for us.”

Sean Stevens from the LAB said: “They are an independent shop and that was our roots so it was a natural move to support the boys.”