Russell Tovey models new Pride T-shirt, in support of LGBTQ+ charities akt, Not A Phase and Terrence Higgins Trust

Luxury fashion house ERDEM has unveiled a limited-edition Pride T-shirt created in collaboration with Gay’s The Word, with all profits set to benefit three leading LGBTQ+ charities: akt, Not A Phase and Terrence Higgins Trust.

The T-shirt features artwork by the late British artist, filmmaker and activist Derek Jarman, whose multidisciplinary practice spanned film, painting, writing, theatre design, gardening and political activism. The featured image is taken from Bliss, a zine by Jarman that shared its title with the original working name of Blue, his final and most personal film.

The artwork reflects the closing years of Jarman’s life while living with AIDS, during which his eyesight became increasingly impaired. At times, he described experiencing a “haze of blue” across his vision - a theme that would become central to Blue, released in 1993.

To mark the launch, ERDEM founder and creative director Erdem Moralioglu has photographed British actor Russell Tovey wearing the limited-edition T-shirt, highlighting the enduring influence of Jarman’s work on contemporary British culture.

The project is accompanied by a short film celebrating Jarman’s legacy through rarely seen footage and archive material from The Garden. The film has been created by filmmaker and longtime Jarman collaborator David Lewis alongside filmmaker Sara Moralioglu, Erdem’s sister. It features music by Simon Fisher Turner, a close friend of Jarman and composer on many of his films.

Priced at £120, the T-shirt will be available exclusively from 11 June via ERDEM’s website, at the brand’s Mayfair and Sloane Street stores, and at Gay’s The Word bookshop in Bloomsbury.

All profits from sales of the T-shirt will be donated equally to LGBTQ+ charities akt, Not A Phase and Terrence Higgins Trust