Bleacher Report Releases Exclusive Jerseys Designed by Leading Female Creatives
In the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham, directed by Gurinder Chadha, we watched as female soccer players Jess and Jules struggled to be taken seriously, despite having serious talent. While we loved the lighthearted movie (and its inclusive casting), the film also emphasized some real-life obstacles that exist for female soccer players, which are still omnipresent today.
As the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup continues this week in France, it’s important to remember that women soccer players make less money, almost half what their male counterparts make, as reported by Fast Company. “According to the Australian players’ union, at this rate, it will take until 2039 for pay to become equal,” Fast Company reported.
In response to the rampant inequality in women’s soccer, all 28 members of the United States women’s team filed a class action, gender discrimination lawsuit against their employer, the United States Soccer Federation, earlier this month, and the issue is ongoing. Unfortunately, the response from the men’s team has been lackluster. In an article for Deadspin, all 23 players from the U.S. Men’s team, and the coach, would not comment on the lawsuit. This is disappointing, because silence is the opposite of allyship (men, do better).
In response to these issues, sports media brand Bleacher Report has launched a new collection of jerseys created by female artists. With cool designs done in collaboration with creatives likes Billie Eilish, Va$htie, Kehlani, Summer Walker, Melody Ehsani, Laci Jordan, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kodie Shane, the products update the basic soccer jersey with alternative prints and colors.
For example, a bright yellow jersey by 20-year-old rapper Kodie Shane features the word human written across the chest, set against a faint, allover print that includes words commonly used to describe people, but crossed out, including boy, lesbian, hispanic, and poor. On the top right corner of the jersey, there's also a rainbow badge with the word equality.
Designer Laci Jordan’s jersey features an infographic about the wage gap and singer Kelani’s jersey showcases a uterus symbol. Then there’s the fashion designer Melody Eshani’s jersey, which boldly states, “The World Is Yours.” Billie Eilish’s shirt, of course, spotlights Blohsh, her signature stick-man logo. Seriously, we can’t get enough of these jerseys, available now for preorder on the Bleacher Report website.
Beyond these jerseys, in recent years, a community has been growing around women’s soccer that is distinctly for women by women, thanks to independently made zines. Zines have historically been a medium where women can create unapologetically and without restriction, so it makes sense that there’s a surplus of zines that revolve around women’s soccer.
Some of our favorite soccer-themed zines include the British zine SEASON, and OOF Magazine. SEASON was created by Central Saint Martins graduate Felicia Pennant to “counter the male, pale, and sometimes stale state of modern football culture,” as stated on the website. “A cross between a football fanzine and fashion magazine...the evolving interplay between football, fashion, and personal style is also explored. We tell stories that showcase, celebrate, and empower female fans authentically, while unpacking important issues, emphasizing diversity and collaborating with exciting creative talent,” the statement continues.
The 21st-century extension of zine culture is, of course, the Instagram page, which allows creatives to curate and share images, texts, and collages with the masses. Accordingly, some of our favorite women’s soccer Instagram accounts include @thisfangirl_, @changethechannel_, and @footballbeyondborders. These accounts provide places that are, by design, for female soccer fans, allowing a sense of community and kinship to thrive in a time when women’s soccer is fighting back against gender injustice.
A soccer jersey is a symbol of solidarity and inherently a public piece of fashion; players wear their team's jersey to distinguish themselves on the playing field, and fans wear jerseys as expressions of support. Fashion is being used to protest and project support for equality on and off the field. We look forward to wearing our support on our sleeves by repping the new line of jersey’s dropped by the Bleacher Report!
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
