Page 24 - AVN Intimate Winter 2017

FEATURE By Sherri L. Shaulis
Vibrator Notions
Happy Orange Designs pays tribute to iconic toys
For years, creators of pleasure products
have been paying more attention to their
designs. Pieces are more ergonomic, with
cleaner lines, and they sometimes look
more like objets d’art than sex toys.
Now, a new company called Happy Orange
Designs has taken some of the iconic shapes
of pleasure products from recent years and
transformed them into tote bags and shirts that
any sexpert or sex toy fan would love.
apparent. One design, called Vibrator
Helmed by Ryan Olbrysh, a former full-
Hieroglyphics, is a collection of line drawings
time editorial designer and art director, Happy
of 25 different dildos and vibrators.
there are already fans outside the industry as
well. “Some of the folks who’ve been most
Orange Designs features vibrator-themed T-shirts
“I really like that from a distance it’s not
and other merchandise. Based in Las Vegas,
entirely clear what the objects are, but once
excited about the T-shirts, in particular, are sex
Olbrysh debuted his initial items and designs at
you get a bit closer you see that they’re actually
educator sales associates at various sex shops
CatalystCon in Los Angeles.
sex toys,” Olbrysh said. “A restaurant server in
across the country,” Olbrysh said. “For them, a
“The vibrator-themed T-shirts and tote bags
Utah, and store clerks in college towns where
vibrator T-shirt is a cool uniform they can wear
had everything to do with the publication of
we’ve traveled, have come up to Lynn to say,
to work. As one person recently told Lynn, ‘We
Lynn Comella’s new book, Vibrator Nation,”
‘I really like your bag!’ with a knowing wink.
need more sex geek apparel!’”
Olbrysh told AVN. “When the book went off to
Hearing the positive feedback on the designs
“We definitely think there’s potential for
press, Lynn, who happens to be my wife, said,
has been really gratifying.”
cross-over,” Olbrysh said. “In fact, we’ve sold a
number T-shirts and totes to people who don’t
‘Wouldn’t it be cool to have some vibrator-
We’ve sold a number
work in the industry, but simply love the idea
themed merchandise to go along with the book?’
I decided that the designs would focus on the
T-shirts and totes to
of wearing a T-shirt with their favorite vibrator
on the front, or going to the grocery store with
imagery of some of the most iconic and classic
vibrators: the Oster, the Magic Wand and the
people who don’t work
a tote bag covered in sex toys.
Slimline. I wanted the designs to be clean and
simple, but also visually appealing.
“I think the colors I used add some punch
to the designs. And turning the Magic Wand
in the industry, but simply love the idea of wearing a T-shirt with their favorite
“The shirts and totes are fun and whimsical,
not to mention great conversation starters,”
he continued. “People are surprisingly
comfortable wearing these shirts and carrying
the tote bags, which we think is a testament
upside down makes it look like a neck tie, or an
vibrator on the front.
to the growing popularity and normalization
exclamation point, which people really seem to
like,” he added.
—Ryan Olbrysh
of pleasure products more generally. We’ve
shipped our products internationally to
Olbrysh said he knew sex toys were an entire
The initial product lineup for Happy Orange
Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in
world unto themselves, thanks to Lynn’s work,
Designs was inspired by Olbrysh’s being a fan
addition to cities across the United States, so
but notes he was a bit surprised to find out just
of quality T-shirts with minimalistic yet eye-
we’re hoping for global domination!”
how many types of pleasure products exist.
catching artwork. Currently offering T-shirts,
For more on Vibrator Nation, the book that
When he started creating his designs, he found
tank tops and tote bags, Happy Orange
inspired the shirts and totes, visit
it difficult at times to narrow down the products
Designs is looking to add its designs to other
DukePress.com.
he featured.
products.
In the meantime, find the complete lineup of
While the designs feature sex toys, in some
And while the appeal to those who work
products online at HappyOrangeDesigns.com.cases the inspiration for the art isn’t always
in the pleasure products industry is clear,
24 | INTIMATE | WINTER 2018