Monterey Bay Aquarium Reissues Taylor Swift’s Vintage Otter Tee

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has reissued a vintage otter t-shirt that gained significant attention after being worn by pop icon Taylor Swift in a promotional film for her new album. This initiative aims to raise funds for the aquarium’s Sea Otter Program, which focuses on conservation efforts for the beloved marine mammals. The renewed interest in the shirt coincided with the release of Swift’s album, The Life of a Showgirl, which came out on October 3, 2023.

Swift donned the t-shirt during the film “Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” resulting in a noticeable increase in both donations and awareness for the aquarium’s conservation work. In a statement on its website, the aquarium noted that many donations came in at $13, reflecting Swift’s favorite number. They described the boost in support as a transformative moment for their long-standing mission in ocean conservation.

The reissued shirt features original artwork from the 1990s, showcasing two otters swimming. The design was first printed by Harborside Graphics, which later became part of Liberty Graphics based in Maine. After successfully locating the original artwork, the aquarium launched the fundraiser to support its initiatives.

These new shirts are made with PVC-free, water-based inks and are crafted from 100% cotton, ensuring they do not shed microplastics. Available in both adult and children’s sizes, the shirts are priced at $65.13. As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, the fundraiser had already raised over $600,000 towards its goal of $1.3 million.

The excitement surrounding Swift’s album has been palpable, as all twelve tracks from The Life of a Showgirl occupy the top twelve positions on this week’s Billboard Hot 100. The album marks the 14-time Grammy award winner’s twelfth studio project. Swift first announced the album in August while appearing on the podcast “New Heights,” hosted by her fiancé, Travis Kelce, and his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s initiative not only highlights the importance of sea otter conservation but also showcases how a single moment in popular culture can amplify support for environmental causes.