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LOVE IS A PORTAL

For Pride this year, we've collaborated with 3 queer artists to create 3 one-off boots highlighting the importance of creativity in building, empowering and strengthening communities. The second artist in the series is Loveis Wise (they/them/he/him), and their dreamlike illustrations celebrating trans and non-binary joy.

LOVEIS WISE IS AN LA-BASED ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR, DESIGNER AND "RADICAL DREAMER".

Their sought-after work has been seen on the cover of The New Yorker magazine, the Black history pictue book 'The People Remember' and even Docs store window. Their thoughtful approach to art explores the lives of trans and non-binary people to increase their representation. To let them know they are seen, understoodn and loved.
Loveis remembers "searching for a blackness or queerness in art" and the powerful moments when it was finally found. This profound effect led to a realization that "my purpose is to always show the possibilities of joy and the possibility of sweetness of compassion or mindfulness into an art-making space."

"ART IS A BRIDGE THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER"

When approaching the collaboration, Loveis insisted on working with the Jadon boot because they are "a young punk first and foremost." Loveis has used our black Smooth leather as the canvas for their illustrations, The design's meaning is simple: "Love is a gateway, love is a portal, love is something that we all can connect with" - a message delivered in their signature palette of pinks, blues and green. Highlighted with a disco ball lace charm and designed for the dance floors where Loveis loses themselves.

"I REALLY WANT TO CELEBRATE MY COMMUNITY AND TO CREATE WORLDS THAT REFLECT THAT"

Community and identity are deeply interwoven for Loveis, and exploration at the forefront of their work. Several of their current projects aim to reimagine community and examine what it means to be a gender-expansive person. Loveis believes that "when we're allowed to be all the different parts of ourselves, and we see that reflected in our communities, it creates a more peaceful community". If people's perceptions of trans and non-binary change because of their work, "it's not really my intention... it's for my community to see themselves and be like, 'Oh my God, finally'".

IS THERE A SECTION OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS SUPPORT?

"Protect black trans people at all costs and trans kids. There's so much hate and disregard of life for trans people in general, especially trans females. I don't want to single out one facet of the community, but it's hard being a trans person, and it's hard getting people to see your worth as a human being, which is so fucking sad, it's so crazy to me. I would love to see more trans folks at the forefront and given more opportunities and just being in more spaces that reflect them with more understanding about their identities and who they are. I'm excited for that to be more of a normalized thing."

THE INCLUSIVE WORLD OF FUYUKI KANAI

As part of our ongoing commitment to support, platform and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, we commissioned 3 queer artists to design 3 limited-edition boots that showcase their art and the importance of community. First up, the multi-talented Fuyuki Kanai (he/him) and his monochrome illustrations which celebrate the diverse nature of queerness and relationships.

FUYUKI KANAI IS AN ILLUSTRATOR, COMIC ARTIST AND ZINE CREATOR BASED IN TOKYO.

His works include the powerful "Long Way Home", a collection of 3 zines that explore the multifaceted nature of queerness while serving as a way for him to examine his relationship with his family, hometown and sexuality by removing himself from the narrative.
Fuyuki tells us he uses his work to push back against the stereotypes that are seen in abundance around the LGBTQIA+ community: "the overly effeminate gay man, the lesbian who gets killed off first, the doomed transgender in distress". Lazy tropes that ultimately harm our ability to feel empathy for each other and accept people as they are.

"I TRY TO DRAW WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED IN MY OWN LIFE"

With his 1460 boot, Fuyuki has leaned into his comic sensibilities to "create a design with some manga-esque flair". The minimalist black and white color scheme allows anyone to project themselves onto the illustration for a truly inclusive approach to design. Fuyuki hopes the work represents "a happy and peaceful world" and is part of his ongoing work that promotes unity and acceptance. His design is an open invitation for people of every creed, race, and background to find a community that fits, without judgement or discrimination.

"CONNECTED IN A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, REGARDLESS OF SEXUALITY OR BACKGROUND"

A community can be a group of people who meet regularly for some common goal or activity. But for Fuyuki the definition is broader, encompassing those with a shared mindset or attitude: "For me, community is a place that is inclusive and where we are connected in thoughts and ideas. No matter who we are, minority or ally, having a place we can be together is a community". Through his creation of zines, Fuyuki has connected with so many people he might never have met, and formed a community that can grow and influence how they each perceive the world and the people in it.

"THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY NEEDS MORE ATTENTION"

Despite the sense of purpose and belonging he's found through his creative work, Fuyuki believes we live in an imperfect world with injustice and inequality still a regular part of the queer experience. In Japan, "the rights of sexual minorities are still not recognized", and "quite often, there are politicians who repeatedly make discriminatory remarks". Although it can sometimes seem bleak and with "a lot of political and systematic problems that need to be addressed", it's only through collective action that we will see change.
"Many LGBTQIA+ people are hurt in a society like this, so I think we all need to support each other and do something about it. Together."