Explore the Colourful History of the Brighton Gin Pride Collection
The Brighton Gin Pride Archive
For the past nine years Brighton Gin has created a limited edition Pride bottle designed by local artists in support of local LGBTQ+ charities. Here's a recap of some of our incredible collaborations with talented artists over the past decade.
2018 by Our Design Agency
We created the 2018 Brighton Gin Pride range in collaboration with Our Design Agency. With each bottle spelling out the letters of "BRIGHTON" in the vibrant colours of the Pride flag to celebrate the city’s spirit of inclusivity, love, and diversity. Brighton has long been a beacon of acceptance and LGBTQ+ pride, and we wanted our gin to reflect that powerful message. Each bottle not only represents a letter but also symbolises our commitment to supporting the Pride community and honouring the values that make Brighton so special. Together, the bottles spell out a story of unity, resilience, and celebration—one that we are proud to share with the world.
2019 by Hizze Fletcher-King
This label was created to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which mark the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement. Designed by Brighton artist Hizze Fletcher-King, it features an image of Marsha P. Johnson, activist of colour and self-identified drag queen, who was a prominent figure in the 1969 Stonewall uprising, when New York police raided a gay bar and provoked a rebellion.
2020 by Alej ez
For Pride 2020, we commissioned Granada-born Alej ez, whose original training as an architect is reflected in the detail and the structures of his work. He says:
"My work reflects my intrinsic LGBTQ+ nature and interests. The flag is our symbol and represents us. I researched what is arguably the LGBTQ+ rights movement's most recognizable and unifying symbol - the original rainbow flag was designed by the gay rights activist Gilbert Baker in 1978 and lies in the London Design Museum. I had a eureka moment, imagining this rainbow flag across Brighton skies reflected by the sea.
The final image shows the victorian railings along the Brighton & Hove promenade with the inviting steps that take you down to the pebble beach and welcome you to the sea, where the iconic structure of the remains of the West Pier stands. We may not be able to celebrate together this year but I am also inspired by the movement named 'Pride Inside’ - we are proud no matter what.”
2021 by Fox Fisher (he/they)
In 2021 we collaborated with the brown, queer, trans masculine, non-binary artist, author, filmmaker and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Fox Fisher (he/they).
Each label is individually signed and numbered by the artist, making them miniature collectable artworks (to match the gin in the bottle!).
Fox Fisher says “It’s important for people to have the space to explore their gender and sexuality and for me, Brighton has been the perfect place for this. There’s something special about this evolving city, and I wanted to pay homage to the queer people who lived before me, during Regency times.”
2022 by Dave Pop
Our 2022 Limited Edition labels were designed by Dave Pop! - a Brighton based artist who specialises in bright, bold pop art, with a generous topping of seaside sauce! Dave is inspired by Brighton’s cheeky seafront and bright lights and uses vintage fairground style art and carousel horses in his artworks.
2023 Intersex-equality campaigner & artist Valentino Vecchietti.
To mark the beginning of Pride Season 2023, the bottle featured a new design that is was inspired by the Inclusive Pride flag, originally re-designed by Intersex-equality campaigner & artist Valentino Vecchietti.
“It’s always a very proud and exciting moment when we launch our limited-edition Pride bottles,” said Kathy Caton, founder of Brighton Gin. “This year, the team wanted to create a design that celebrates both the diversity within the business and of the wider LGBTIQA+ community, and the progress that has been made in the fight for equality and equity, and that celebrates the value of allyship and support within our community.”
2024 by Sussex-based illustrator and film maker Ladypat
This year the showcased designer is Sussex-based illustrator and film maker Ladypat, who is known for recklessly genre-hopping across technologies and disrupting expectations with his exciting 'Queerodivergent' arts career. He's made pop music videos, a giant fuzzy-felt pop art image for Fatboy Slim’s 60th birthday, and brings a fresh look to 2024’s Brighton Pride with his distinctive 'Queeros' branding.
For Brighton Gin‘s 9th annual Pride bottle Ladypat has let rip with a unique and playful take on a Brighton icon - a glam-but-punk seagull.
The sale of every limited edition Pride gin bottle has supported the following charities:
The Rainbow Fund, the Brighton and Hove based grant-giving fund for local LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS organisations and good causes.
The Clare Project , a trans, non-binary and intersex support charity in Sussex.
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