About Cat + Monkey
Hi, I’m Joe Carman-Sami, the designer and founder of Cat & Monkey.
I create original T-shirts featuring my own designs, while also supporting wildlife conservation through donations to the Born Free Foundation.
Every shirt is designed by me and produced in-house before being carefully packed and sent directly to you.
Each T-shirt is made to order, helping keep the brand personal, independent and focused on quality.
Cat + Monkey began as a small design project in 2023 and grew after the first designs received great feedback.
The Story Behind the Designs
Most of my designs start with a technique called automatic drawing — making spontaneous, subconscious marks without a plan and then developing them into finished artwork.
Many of the designs feature a cat and a monkey, inspired by my own life as a cat parent. In this little world, I’m the monkey — the one with opposable thumbs and the tools to create — while my cat, true to form, couldn’t care less.
What Cat & Monkey Stands For
Distinctive Designs
Original artwork created through experimentation and automatic drawing.
Quality That Lasts
Comfortable, well-made garments designed to be worn again and again.
Thoughtful Production
Careful choices that help reduce environmental impact.
Giving Back
Supporting wildlife conservation through charitable donations.
Thoughtful Production
Sustainability is an important part of how Cat + Monkey operates.
The T-shirts are made using organic cotton and are certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). They also meet the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, meaning they are produced responsibly and free from harmful substances.
They are manufactured by Stanley/Stella, a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, which promotes fair wages and safe working conditions in the garment industry.
All designs are printed using water-based, vegan inks, which require significantly less water than traditional printing methods.
Because garments are produced when orders are placed, Cat + Monkey also avoids the overproduction and waste common in traditional fashion manufacturing.
Supporting the Born Free Foundation
Protecting wildlife is incredibly important to me, which is why £1 from every T-shirt sold is donated to the Born Free Foundation through Work for Good.
The Born Free Foundation works around the world to help protect wild animals and ensure they can live free from exploitation and captivity.
By supporting Cat & Monkey, you’re also helping contribute to that mission.
Learn more about the charity donations on our Charity Page.
Thank You
Cat & Monkey is still a growing independent brand, and every order genuinely means a lot.
By supporting original design, thoughtful production and wildlife conservation, you're helping make this all possible.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
Joe Carman-Sami
Founder & Designer