How North of Noise turns bold streetwear into mental health action
North of Noise isn’t just another streetwear label—it’s a rallying cry. Founded by graphic designer Matt Mele, the brand transforms bold, urban-inspired graphics into conversation starters about mental health. With 30% of proceeds from each collection supporting organizations like The JED Foundation, every piece carries a message that goes far beyond fashion.
Matt has always leaned toward bold design. As he explains, “Bold has always been my kind of style. I wanted something that would disrupt the noise.” That phrase became the name of one of North of Noise’s first—and most powerful—designs: a stark graphic of a brain across the back of a tee. At first glance, it looks cool. But for those who know, it carries a deeper meaning: the daily battle against internal static and stigma.
From pixels to products—fast
For years, Matt’s work lived on screens—logos, posters, digital design. But he craved something tangible. “I’d never had a physical product in hand,” he recalls. Launching North of Noise gave him that, but print on demand made it possible without huge upfront costs.
Gelato has been part of that shift. “The mock-up feature is really nice—I use it all the time,” says Matt. “Even if I’m just doing a t-shirt for fun, I’ll bring it into Gelato. The prints are impeccable. The quality is really good and I’ll continue to use you guys.”
That combination of speed and quality frees him to focus on what matters most: creating designs that spark conversation and contribute to mental health causes.
Turning conversations into collections
North of Noise’s designs don’t come out of thin air. Matt often talks with friends who live in grunge-inspired fashion, asking what they’d want from a piece that makes a statement. “If you were looking for something that was a statement piece but also had a message, what would it be?” he asks them.
The answers helped shape collections like Disrupt the Noise, Find the Signal, and Static. Each one is rooted in real experiences of people finding ways to quiet anxiety, process trauma, or express their struggles out loud. “They each have an overarching message,” Matt explains, “but each piece has its own meaning too.”
Apparel today, posters next
For Matt, streetwear is just the start. He envisions North of Noise designs living on walls as much as on people. “Posters would be another good addition because people need them,” he says. “At home I have a bunch of very vibrant posters on a dark wall and they just pop. I’m very proud of it.”
With Gelato’s high-quality wall art catalog, it’s an easy extension. Fans who wear the message can also live with it—bringing awareness into their spaces.
Gifting with impact
As the holiday season approaches, Matt sees an opportunity to spread awareness through gifting. “It’s not just a trinket,” he explains. “It’s something different. You could give the gift of mental health awareness to a friend.”
He’s also considering seasonal promotions, not to boost revenue, but to increase reach. “I’m not in it for the money. For me, it’s about having those resources there for people who are struggling. Even if they don’t buy a shirt, they can have access to the support they need.”
Why this matters
The mission of North of Noise comes from a deeply personal place. “For someone who is struggling, I would say get help. It’s here, you can utilize it. It may feel jarring at first, but it’s worth it. Life does get better, regardless of what you may think in the moment.”
North of Noise shows what happens when creativity and purpose collide. With Gelato powering production and fulfillment, Matt can keep designing, keep donating, and keep raising the volume on mental health awareness.
