“Why are soldiers joining contests, to art wash their government's crimes?” This is the rhetorical question asked by Trashy Clothing with its AW21 collection, Errorvision. “No colonial imperial agents should be allowed to celebrate with songs and glitter.” Omar Braika and Shukri Lawrence, the talent behind the Palestine and SWANA region-focused label, explain further: “It’s a satirical look at the politicised world of song contests, sports competitions and beauty pageants such as Eurovision, the Olympics, and Miss Universe.”

These inspirations could scarcely be more relevant. During the summer, the Algerian judoka, Fethi Nourine, and his coach, Amar Benikhlef, both received 10-year bans from the International Judo Federation for refusing to face the Israeli opponent during the Tokyo Olympics. Nourine - like the Algerian boss that he is - has since stated that he has no regrets and considers his punishment an honour. Similarly, Miss Universe Greece refused to attend this year’s Miss Universe competition held in the Occupied 48 aka Israel, stating, “I may not live in Palestine but Palestine lives in my heart forever.”

“We wanted to build upon ideas of boycott and resistance to contemplate the political meanings behind artists, public figures and athletes representing countries with flags and voting,” add Braika and Lawrence. “Errorvision dissolves the omnipresent world of art washing.”

Making use of their trademark kitsch style, the collection achieves this via slinky silhouettes with unexpected details, dramatic shaping through sleeves, and shirts and flares that billow as the wearer walks. If the texturally-rich collection were to be summed up in one piece, it would be the embroidered faux fur sash emblazoned with the words, ‘Miss Apartheid’. Perhaps a sly swipe at Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane, who participated in Miss Universe despite the famed words of Nelson Mandela, “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”.

The brand has made a catwalk film to show off the collection, which is set to an urgent, electronic track by BDSM techno band, Hatari, who met team Trashy when they made the controversial decision to represent Iceland at the 2019 Eurovision contest. Documented in the film out this year, A Song Called Hate, the band ultimately staged a pro-Palestine protest after their performance, brandishing Palestine scarves and flags in the green room.

Read our full interview with Trashy Clothing in our second digital issue, themed Togetherness, here.