Walk in Pride: The 2022 Fluevog Pride Scarf!

“Our design is simple and clear. We are celebrating Trans Equality. We are celebrating equal rights, equal protection and equal respect. Please join us in this celebration of life and this plea for the violence to stop. Everyone is safe in our doors and everyone is loved.”

–Fluevog Portland Pride Team 🏳️‍🌈

“I have always enjoyed seeing people paint (or create) the person they become. We are uniquely designed as somewhat of a blank canvas that we get to either paint within the lines or go outside of the canvas. I love that we are all individuals and at the same time, all one. The pride colors to me represent the directions each of us will take in our lifetime. Enjoy.”

– Jason from Fluevog Chicago 🏳️‍🌈

“The inspiration for my shoe was the work and effort Gilbert Baker and so many others put into making the first Pride flag in 1978. His end product, which he refused to trademark, became a global symbol for the LGBTQAI+ community. Our push for equality is dynamic, an evolution of social norms and justice. So too is the evolution of the Pride flag. I initially painted the shoe in rainbow colors, glittered up the top strap, then submitted photos of the “final” product. Belatedly, I realized that I had not included the BIPOC/trans colors that have so beautifully adorned the latest version of our flag. A reminder that there is never finality; there is always work to be done, and inclusion and intersectionalism is the only way to move forward.”

– Kristin from Fluevog San Francisco Haight 🏳️‍🌈

“As an artist who focuses on nature & animals, I was inspired by the Native American proverb that we are all connected in the web of life. That’s why my design has a nature feel. I also included a hummingbird (joy) and an eye (the mirror to the soul). We should embrace our connectivity and uniqueness in this world!”

– Anke from Fluevog San Francisco Haight 🏳️‍🌈

“Our design is in tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, an American NY-based queer trans activist. We were inspired by her iconic flower crown and ribbon. The pink and light blue ribbon around the top of the sole is a nod to the trans flag colors. The shoe laces are hand-dyed and the flowers are individually placed and glued. Our resident artist, Iva, drew and painted flowers on the top of each pair of shoes. The white flag over both shoes has a famous quote from Johnson, “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” Happy Pride to everyone everywhere!”

– Laura, Harriet, Cookie, Ripley and Iva from Fluevog New York Brooklyn 🏳️‍🌈

“We took great pride (pun heartfully intended) in using our shoes to showcase two distinctly marginalized groups within the LGBTQIA+ community that often get lost in the glitz and glam of rainbow capitalism: The first, honoring the women of color that have paved the way for trans inclusion and activism today, is painted in the colors of the trans flag and draped in pearls, flowers, and images of civil rights activist Marsha P Johnson. Being a trans person of color myself, I am beyond thrilled that the proceeds from this project will be donated to the Marsha P Johnson Foundation!

Our second shoe was made to embody members of the LGBTQIA+ who are subject to the taboo and marginalization of their communities. Kink, BDSM, Tattoos, Piercings, and more have provided queer individuals with a means of reclaiming their autonomy and individualism, truly liberating themselves from the constrictions of purist culture. The spikes on the bottom of the shoe represent a refusal to tread lightly, embracing one’s truest self.”

– Tyson and Martina from Fluevog Boston Newbury 🏳️‍🌈

“Butterflies in multiple cultures and traditions represent rebirth and transformation. They literally come out of their chrysalis to spread their wings and fly. There are 53 white butterflies: one for every year since Stonewall. Each butterfly honoring those who fought, marched, rioted and died from AIDS so that we could be out of the closet. The glorious pride butterfly embodies all of us together as one. I’m proud to be a part of the LBGTQIA+ community and so proud to work for a company that supports us in being our authentic selves. Happy Pride.”

–Monika from Fluevog SF Union Square 🏳️‍🌈

“Inclusivity is very important to our team here in Calgary, as most of our team identify as queer and those that don’t are staunch allies, so I wanted to find a way to have the inclusive Pride flag be the base of our design and have all of us leave our mark on the shoe. We all put fingerprints on the shoe in each of the flag colours on this shoe to show that when we are all included and invited to participate it can make things better.”

–Lauren from Fluevog Calgary 🏳️‍🌈

“We had a Leeside canvas sneaker for this design so Feather & I thought back to our own youth in the 90’s for inspiration. We remembered people drawing and painting on their canvas sneakers to display favorite bands, colors and cartoon characters. We wanted to take this opportunity to design something to represent all the queer and trans kids under attack in places like Texas & Florida who may not get to reflect who they really are. Glitter, neon, pastel paints, hand sewn charms, and multi-color laces were used to reflect the light and love these kids radiate and deserve to receive.”

–Keith, Chanel, Whitney & Feather from Fluevog Abbot Kinney 🏳️‍🌈

“We wanted to make something fun and bright. A shoe that would still be functional but show our personalities. There is a little bit of all of us in our shoe’s design.”

–Kristin, Ayanna & Christy from Fluevog Dallas 🏳️‍🌈

“We took inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh when he said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” This project was very meaningful as all three of us are queer, so it seemed natural for each of us to contribute to the project in ways that speak to being part of the community, but also as individuals. Vinny did the beautiful painting, Melissa added the dazzling gems, and Madeleine designed the chain-work to encircle our flamboyant Cubist Cupcake. Together, our small pieces make a whole creation.”

–Vinny, Melissa & Madeleine from Fluevog Denver 🏳️‍🌈

“Starting off with quotes from well known queer writers, activists, icons, artists, and “angelic troublemakers”, PRIDE means elevating voices and thoughts. From James Baldwin to Sylvia Rivera, Shangela to Bayard Rustin, we’ve selected quotes that shout PRIDE to us. ​In order to make change, we have to change within our own minds. Words have that powerful message of change. Once we welcome all voices to the table, including our own, we can make changes together. By writing these quotes from queer folks, we elevate their voices and our own. Fluevog is about uplifting people, and so if these HESS boots can elevate even just one person, we’ve already won. PRIDE also means shining that beautiful light we all have within ourselves. Adding a bit of sparkle in all of the colours of the updated Pride flag, we are showcasing this sparkle. Each bead was hand stitched onto this pair of boots, to make these unique soles that much more powerful: for a unique soul to wear them with pride.”

–Happy Pride from your friends at Fluevog Toronto Distillery 🏳️‍🌈

“I really wanted all the staff to be able to add something onto the shoe. We discussed it for a few days then after educating ourselves decided that we wanted to be as inclusive as possible by painting on symbols. Thus the Edmonton Pride shoe was born 🙂 It is remarkable how diverse and broad the 2SLGBTQ+ community is! <3 Once we finished that I felt so inspired that I went ahead and coloured my white canvas Leesides. I wanted to express my support through my shoes. I am awestruck that they made their way onto the scarf as well.” –Signe at Fluevog Edmonton 🏳️‍🌈

“We really wanted a shoe that would be worn by everyone so The Officials were an easy choice since they are loved by all! We wanted everyone to feel included and celebrated so a parade of flower flags just seemed fitting, as there are so many new communities blossoming in the LGBTQIA+ Umbrella! ”

–Twiggy, Amrit & Maddie at Fluevog NY Manhattan 🏳️‍🌈

“Who wouldn’t love to create a pride shoe for Fluevog! We tried to keep our colourways true to the aspects of sex, life, healing, sunlight, nature, magic, art, serenity, and spirit with our Leeside shoe (One of our store and staff favourites!) We are very grateful to work for John Fluevog and to embrace all lifestyles with our staff and fluevoggers! We love you!”

–Dane & Mathieu at Fluevog Ottawa 🏳️‍🌈

“My inspiration came from a body paint I saw. It was done on 3 or 4 colors and I loved the way the colors flowed around each other, like liquid. My idea was to take the colors and have them swimming around each other like a lava lamp of groovy colors. And of course, because I love sparkle, I had to add rhinestones and some Fluevog buttons for fun.”

–Roland at Fluevog Seattle 🏳️‍🌈

“We wanted to created something fiery and strong so went with the flame in rainbow colours! We also picked the chelsea boot as we thought it would be an androgynous style anyone could wear.”

–Trasie, Patrick & Reggie at Fluevog Kitsilano 🏳️‍🌈