Renowned South African fashion designer Rich Mnisi’s collaborative collection with Adidas took center stage this week in the Premier League, gracing the warm-ups of Manchester United and Arsenal. Mnisi expressed that the collection is an embodiment of the theme of love as a unifying force.
In a statement shared recently, the queer designer emphasized, “For me, love is where everything begins, and that is where I wanted people to start. No superficial gestures, no glorification of trends, no need for an outfit for an event, but rather a moment of true introspection.”
The collection, featuring prominently in the warm-ups of Manchester United and Arsenal during their recent matches against Chelsea and Luton Town F.C., was initially showcased by Scottish side Celtic Football Club. Mnisi drew inspiration for the range from a love letter he wrote to his younger self, emphasizing the message “let love be your legacy.” This serves not only as his mission statement but also as a call for active allyship to empower and champion the LGBTQIA+ community.
Acknowledging the weight of representing queerness, especially in a country that has legalized same-sex marriages, Mnisi stated, “I don’t take it lightly the responsibility myself and the band have in terms of representing queerness.” Each piece in the collection carries a hidden message, providing an intimate and sacred experience for the wearer to discover. Mnisi expressed, “I wanted the moment when you spot it to be intimate, calm, and sacred – no distractions, no noise, no opinions. Just a moment to feel the love that surrounds you.”
The debut of Mnisi’s collection aligns with the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, a show of support for all LGBTQ+ individuals in football and beyond. From December 2 to 7, the Premier League collaborated with Stonewall, an organization dedicated to advocating for the freedom, equity, and potential of LGBTQ+ people. The Rainbow Laces campaign featured captains wearing rainbow armbands, bespoke Rainbow Laces pitch flags, ball plinths, handshake boards, and substitute’s boards at all Premier League fixtures during the two Match Weeks. LED boards at the stadiums and rainbow-themed Premier League logos on social media channels were utilized to amplify and promote the campaign.
Main image: Bona magazine
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