Cover Bluesky CEO Jay Graber wore a T-shirt with the slogan “Mundus Sine Caesaribus” to a panel discussion at SXSW—a clear jab at Mark Zuckerberg and Meta (Photo: Samantha Burkardt/SXSW Conference & Festivals / Getty Images)
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber wore a T-shirt with the slogan “Mundus Sine Caesaribus” to a panel discussion at SXSW—a clear jab at Mark Zuckerberg and Meta (Photo: Samantha Burkardt/SXSW Conference & Festivals / Getty Images)
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The final drop of the T-shirt, which takes a dig at Big Tech, raises funds and awareness for Bluesky’s mission to decentralise the internet
Jay Graber, CEO of decentralised social platform Bluesky, didn’t just make headlines at this year’s SXSW—she made a fashion statement that went viral at the speed of a trending tweet.
Appearing onstage in Austin in a minimalist black tee emblazoned with the Latin phrase “Mundus sine caesaribus”, Graber’s sartorial choice was more than a stylistic flourish. It was a bold, cerebral swipe at Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and the centralised ethos of Big Tech.
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Zuckerberg has famously been modelling his boxy, black shirts, which he reportedly co-designed with fashion designer Mike Amiri, over the past few months. At a Meta keynote presentation a few months ago, he wore a shirt that read “aut Zuck, aut nihil”, a reference to the slogan “aut Caesar, aut nihil”, or “either a Caesar or nothing”.
Graber’s shirt, which directly copies the style of Zuckerberg’s, reads “A world without Caesars”. This echoes Bluesky’s mission to challenge the dominant platforms with a user-first, open protocol.
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The message landed—and so did the merch. Graber’s diss at Meta evidently resonated amongst Bluesky users, so the company put up reproductions of Graber’s shirt up for sale on AWorldWithoutCaesars.com. Retailing at US$40, the initial batch was released on March 13. Snapped up by by a wave of support from decentralisation enthusiasts, digital rights advocates and fashion-forward techies eager to signal their allegiance to the internet’s next evolution, the first drop reportedly sold out within half an hour.
Due to the lingering demand, Bluesky announced that they were open for pre-orders for a limited period, from March 19 to 26. The shirts ship worldwide, and will be released sometime in April.
THE SHIRTS ARE BACK IN STOCK worldwithoutcaesars.com
— Bluesky (@bsky.app) March 19, 2025 at 2:55 AM
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As Bluesky continues to expand its presence in Asia and beyond, Graber’s T-shirt moment may well be remembered as a defining point where tech idealism met streetwear. Whether you see it as high-minded protest or viral marketing brilliance, one thing is clear: Graber isn’t just building the future of social media—she’s dressing for it.
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