QUEER, NATURAL AND FULL OF JOY

We're not alone, we are enough, we do matter. Our For Pride collaboration with artist Wednesday Holmes (they/them) is a reminder of how impactful simple messages can have on others. Together we're celebrating the power of reaching out to others as part of our yearlong exploration of how creativity can support, empower and build LGBTQIA+ communities.​

WEDNESDAY IS A BRIGHTON-BASED ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

The central themes of Wednesday's art are queerness, mental health and positive portrayals of trans and nonbinary people. They have been generously open about the difficulties of suffering from Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and being diagnosed as bipolar.

Through a lens of empathy and understanding born of their own hardships, Wednesday uses their art to reach out: "I try to provide relief through art, whether that's with rainbows, silliness, or touching messages" because "the world's an increasingly difficult place".​

​"THROUGH MY ART
AND ONLINE COMMUNITY
I FOUND 1000's OF
PEOPLE I COULD TALK TO"

- WEDNESDAY HOLMES FOR PRIDE ​

"I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT BEING QUEER AND THE THINGS I WAS GOING THROUGH IN THE HOPES THAT I COULD REACH OUT AND HELP SOMEONE ELSE"

When asked to design their own 1460 boot, Wednesday "knew straight away that I wanted to create something that was really happy and rainbow filled". True to form, our traditional 8-eye boot is covered with the anthropomorphised characters that Wednesday is known for, including "an inclusivity flag and trans symbol…so there are little pieces of me on there". Wednesday's boot is designed to be worn any day of the year because Pride isn't a specific day, it's not an event, it's not a corporate obligation, it's with us "365 days of the year, in our everyday surroundings".​

"I WANT TO SHOW UP TODAY AND MAKE SOMEONE FEEL BETTER"

Wednesday's global online community is a constant source of support: "There's always somebody to talk to, whether it's late at night or early in the morning… I found a warm community and a safety net". Wednesday uses "art to reach out to people when they feel alone or they feel sad". It's a reciprocal relationship that has seen Wednesday supported when they needed it most. I was really lucky to have my community band together [to pay for top surgery], it's just been incredible… my community gifted that to me and I'll always be thankful".​

A SIMPLE CHANGE. A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE. 

But Wednesday knows not everyone is so fortunate in having such a strong community around them. "I would make medical transition for trans people free and easily accessible". They know first-hand the impact these procedures have "words can't express really how much it's meant to me… to be able to live authentically and to actually be me. It's been really hard to be me in the past. I just don't feel that anymore. It was transformative.". The unfortunate reality is that every year thousands of people need to use crowdfunding to pay for these life-changing surgeries, but in Wednesday's case, it's proved a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together as a community. ​​

WEDNESDAY FOR PRIDE 1460 BOOT

Wednesday has used the 1460 boot as a canvas for their illustrations of everyday objects made wonderfully queer. This boot is designed to create self-belief in the face of the hardships that many LGBTQIA+ people face. A symbol of queer joy. A statement of solidarity.

+     Our Original silhouette: the 1460 boot​
+     Colourful illustrations celebrating queer joy​
+     Wednesday's positive messages on the backstrap​