News | Friday, 23rd August 2019

Fashion student designs new Manchester City FC kit for Pride

Zoe Lola Dixon's design is on sale in the club shop and online

Zoe Lola Dixon's winning design
Zoe Lola Dixon's winning design

A fashion student has designed a limited edition Manchester City FC kit which is on sale to celebrate Manchester Pride.

Manchester Metropolitan teamed up with City and their kit partner PUMA to run a competition for students to design a bespoke kit that allows fans to show both their support for Pride and the club. The winning design will be on sale in City’s club store and online.

Zoe Lola Dixon’s winning entry features flags from the LGBT+ community, alongside the Manchester City badge and the wording ‘Together We Stand’ taken from a popular fan chant. The Football V Homophobia logo is also on the shirt.

Dixon, a soon-to-be second year Fashion Design and Technology: Womenswear student at Manchester Fashion Institute, was selected as the competition winner, with Emma Clemens and Yaems Collins the successful runners-up whose designs will be produced later in the year.

Dixon said: “I’m over the moon to have won this competition with PUMA; it’s my first competition win for the fashion industry and it feels amazing to have been with such a globally renowned company. The fact that it’s in collaboration with Manchester City and Pride just makes it even better. I was in shock when I was told that I’d won - I literally couldn’t stop smiling.

Zoe Lola Dixon with her designs

“The fact that I’ll be able to walk into the Manchester City store and see my designs on the shelf feels amazing. As a fashion designer, all you dream about is seeing your garments on sale in a store, so this competition really feels like the first step into making that dream a reality.

“The concept behind the idea was close to my heart because I have a few LGBTQ+ friends who I turned to for their opinions on my designs throughout the process. It was really important to me that everyone felt they were being represented clearly and professionally.”

Students were asked to design modifications to the club’s crest, sponsor logos and squad number, alongside submitting text which explained their concept.

Sarah Collins, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University and Sportswear pathway leader, said: "Working in collaboration with PUMA and Man City is a fantastic experience for our students and we welcome the opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in our Manchester based community and beyond. We are proud of our students for communicating the importance of diversity through their designs and showcasing both their talents and beliefs to a global audience."

The kit was unveiled at City’s annual Pride celebration at the Etihad Stadium, where the Pride flag was raised at an event attended by representatives of the LGBT+ community in Manchester.

I’m over the moon to have won this competition with PUMA; it’s my first competition win for the fashion industry and it feels amazing to have been with such a globally renowned company. The fact that it’s in collaboration with Manchester City and Pride just makes it even better.

Students joined Carl Austin-Behan, LGBT advisor to the Mayor, Kevin Parker, General Secretary of the Official Supporters’ Club, David Alvarado, Chair of Canal Street Blues, Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, members of the Official Supporters Clubs, club legend Paul Dickov and Manchester City staff to celebrate the start of Pride.

Omar Berrada, Manchester City chief operating officer, said: “Manchester Pride is one of the biggest, most welcoming and inclusive events of the year, and Manchester City is delighted to support our LGBT+ fans as we celebrate together. This year is particularly special as we are excited to unveil the new Pride kit that our partner PUMA has been designing alongside local students.”

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