As LGBTQIA+ rights are stripped back across the globe, it’s never been more pertinent to speak out in support of the community. Doing exactly that is Stavros Karelis of cult fashion store Machine-A, by releasing a powerful short film to celebrate the arrival of a new Reebok collaboration.
“Your butterfly lands on the left petal of my lily / Something like divinity / On this flower we have dignity and desire,” London-based poet and model Kai-Isaiah Jamal narrates over dreamy clips of a butterfly spreading its wings, flashes of anthuriums and lilies, and a first glimpse at the Machine-A x Reebok Ltd collection itself.
Curated by Machine-A collaborator, footwear designer Steven Ma, the offering spans footwear and clothes, and is made up of a new, trompe l’oeil take on the classic Reebok Club C Instapump sneaker, second-skin bodysuits, and sporty, dual-branded drilled socks. Also starring make-up artist Alibae, the short film was directed by Leslie Zhang in China – which makes sense, since Machine-A spread its wings to the country last year, opening its first Asian outpost in Shanghai.
Called “a love letter to the queer community” by Karelis, the collection launch culminates in a blowout party at the new home of former LGBTQIA+ landmark The Glory tonight (February 15). Supported by Adonis, with a stellar line-up of London DJs, there’s definitely going to be a few headaches on the frow on the first day of LFW tomorrow.
Check the collection out in the gallery above.