This is the revelation of an unseen dynamic as it really is - the acknowledgement and ultimate celebration of Queer Black Love be it romantic, platonic or otherwise. In celebration of Black Futures month & Valentines day, we introduce the RED WITH LOVE Muscle Tee.
Expanding on the RED WITH LOVE cover story, we created the RWL Muscle TEE as a keepsake for ISSUE ONE. Originally designed by Sean Brown in collaboration with Egale, this T-shirt was produced to spread awareness and provide resources for the LGBTQI2S+ community. Inspired by Brown's concept, we jumped at the opportunity of re-imagining what this T-shirt could look like under the BULLY lens. We worked closely with local seamstress and design student, Tara Smith to reconstruct the garment, transforming it from a T-shirt to a Muscle Tee. We then got the good people at Private Press Printing to hand print a very limited run which resulted in each Muscle Tee having its own unique finish.
"This re-worked RWL Muscle Tee is the perfect offering from an organic yet divinely destined collaboration between friends" said Tré Akula "Having evolved from a photo narrative on Black Love presented by two masculine-centered women, the RWL Muscle Tee acts as reminder that we are HERE, we do EXIST and we LOVE each other unapologetically"
Are you RED WITH LOVE?
A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to Egale. For those who don't know, Egale is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of LGBTQI2S people and to enhance the global response to issues that directly affect this community.
Credits
Creative Direction by Tré Akula
Photography & Videography by Jacqueline Ashton
Styling by Bobby Bowen
MUA by Dijah Matobo
Modelled by Lela Kebede, OJ, Andy White, Nat Ekland, Simone Vanessa & Tiana Smith
Original Shirts c/o Curves by Sean Brown
Garment Reconstruction by Tara Smith
Shot at Capsul Studio
Printed in Canada by Private Press Studio