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World Cup Custom England Shirts for Nike
‘HOME’ - YAKU England shirt concept 1
Growing up, my dad made sure to let me know I’m not English and that this place wasn’t ours. That wasn’t exactly the England that surrounded me but it certainly was the one he grew up in not long before I did. Physical violence, unvoiced judgment, lack of opportunities, all of that. Was even worse for my grandparents - I found out recently my grandad arrived here as a trained accountant and was told that wasn’t possible when they realised the colour of his skin. Disheartened, he changed profession. Yet even after re-training as an engineer he was restricted in how much he could grow in the field.
All this to say, I understand where my dad was coming from, but in 2018 my friend Jordan forced me into the pub to watch the Euros and it changed my mindset. That time felt real hopeful and like we were moving forward. There was unison in the air. Right now, it seems in day to day life, we’ve taken so many steps back.
Our World Cup squad is a true reflection of the country we live in. For whatever reason, so many different stories have ended up on this small piece of land that we call home. 16 (!!!) different origins all on the same team. Including St.Vincent and the Grenadines, where that same grandad I told you about traveled from in the 60s. So we integrated all their flags into the print.
Despite growing up in households so different from one another, it’s clearly possible to unite towards a common goal. Maybe that’s what being British is about?
All this to say, I understand where my dad was coming from, but in 2018 my friend Jordan forced me into the pub to watch the Euros and it changed my mindset. That time felt real hopeful and like we were moving forward. There was unison in the air. Right now, it seems in day to day life, we’ve taken so many steps back.
Our World Cup squad is a true reflection of the country we live in. For whatever reason, so many different stories have ended up on this small piece of land that we call home. 16 (!!!) different origins all on the same team. Including St.Vincent and the Grenadines, where that same grandad I told you about traveled from in the 60s. So we integrated all their flags into the print.
Despite growing up in households so different from one another, it’s clearly possible to unite towards a common goal. Maybe that’s what being British is about?
‘INSTINCT’ - YAKU England shirt concept 2
The Hyena, a lowly scavenger. Sneaky, villainous and cowardly. From the Hyaenidae mammal class and more closely related to cats than dogs this animal is always misunderstood.
Lions in fact scavenge more than hyenas and their social structure is often smaller and far less complex (lion prides maxing out at 40 members while hyena clans can reach 130). Within the hyena clans females always outrank and outnumber the males where as in a lion pride despite being made up mainly by females, they are dominated by a small male group. Even researching I thought the naming of their groups was strange but it’s actually because their way of living is built on family lineage and organization. They’re on a Godfather ting (Godmother in reality).
Ultimately our perception of things is down to how we identify with them and the stories we’re told through our lives.
We like to project human traits in animals and it’s natural to see these traits most in a more ‘beautiful’ being. It’s far easier to see a lion as royal, courageous and wise than to see the same in the ‘ugly’ hyena.
This follows through in the stories we’re told. Lion king being the main one alongside some folklore too. Reinforcing our beliefs, making them feel real. But it’s clear that the tales we tell are not always what they seem and up close things can be turned upside down.
Lions in fact scavenge more than hyenas and their social structure is often smaller and far less complex (lion prides maxing out at 40 members while hyena clans can reach 130). Within the hyena clans females always outrank and outnumber the males where as in a lion pride despite being made up mainly by females, they are dominated by a small male group. Even researching I thought the naming of their groups was strange but it’s actually because their way of living is built on family lineage and organization. They’re on a Godfather ting (Godmother in reality).
Ultimately our perception of things is down to how we identify with them and the stories we’re told through our lives.
We like to project human traits in animals and it’s natural to see these traits most in a more ‘beautiful’ being. It’s far easier to see a lion as royal, courageous and wise than to see the same in the ‘ugly’ hyena.
This follows through in the stories we’re told. Lion king being the main one alongside some folklore too. Reinforcing our beliefs, making them feel real. But it’s clear that the tales we tell are not always what they seem and up close things can be turned upside down.
‘SECOND SHELL’ - YAKU England shirt concept 3
Had to do a classic full red away jersey. Thinking about clothes as armor. A way to communicate without saying anything. Expression and protection at the same time. Asked myself, what would this garment look like if it needed to act as an exoskeleton.
Had so much fun cooking these up! Catch you again at the euros when football finally comes home 💕
Had to do a classic full red away jersey. Thinking about clothes as armor. A way to communicate without saying anything. Expression and protection at the same time. Asked myself, what would this garment look like if it needed to act as an exoskeleton.
Had so much fun cooking these up! Catch you again at the euros when football finally comes home 💕