Diesel and Tom of Finland Foundation unite for Pride (again) in celebration of the thriving queer art and community 

Pride month is in full swing, bringing with it the hotly anticipated annual collaboration between Diesel and the Tom of Finland Foundation, now in its third year. This time, the duo is going bigger than ever, as the partnership coincides with the foundation’s 40th anniversary. A grand celebration honouring Tom of Finland’s legacy as a pioneer in homoerotic art and his groundbreaking efforts to promote and foster the cultural merits of erotic art and diverse expressions of sexuality, the multi-faceted project comprises a capsule collection, an emerging erotic artist competition, and a series of global events.

The festivities, supported by Diesel and spanning until November, commence in Berlin’s iconic Halle am Berghain, marking the venue’s inaugural hosting of the Tom of Finland Art and Culture Festival. The celebration then transitions to New York’s Fire Island, offering a program brimming with exhibitions and performances, before continuing to make its presence felt at Helsinki Pride. Tokyo’s Diesel Art Gallery is the subsequent pit stop in late July, followed by the final event held at Tom’s own house in Los Angeles, no less.

Related: “A safe space to be queer”: A spotlight on 3 talents from Helsinki's trailblazing queer community

Then, there’s the Tom of Finland Foundation x Diesel Pride capsule collection, crowning the summer of celebrating queer imagination, perseverance, and the vibrant community of artists. Reflecting Diesel’s brand ethos of embracing freedom of expression, sexuality, and individualism, the line-up has been designed to commemorate the LGBTQIA+ community and its empowering sense of pride, crafted for all genders.

With 24 pieces ranging from T-shirts and denim to jockstraps, the capsule collection showcases printed and patch-worked art by various creatives, including Stuart Sandford, Suzanne Shifflett, Tank, the Hun, Valentine, Henning von Berg, and Tom of Finland. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of erotic art styles, each garment is complete with a unique canvas tape featuring a quote from the respective artist. These words echo the sentiment and uphold the vital mission of the Tom of Finland Foundation, which is dedicated to nurturing and protecting queer artists, ensuring their voices are heard.