A gender-fluid clothing company based in Manchester has unveiled four famous faces as brand ambassadors as part of a new campaign to “undress discrimination”.
With Manchester being home to one of the highest populations of LGBTQIA+ people in the UK, but with recent statistics from Rainbow Mind sadly finding that 42% of gay men and 70% of lesbian women experience mental health problems, Kontroversial is “on a mission to share the struggles” faced by some of the most diverse communities.
The streetwear brand – which is based right here in Manchester, and was founded back in 2019 by brother and sister duo, Kate and Chris Friar – has launched the ‘Undressing Discrimination’ campaign today, which is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
The campaign focuses on mental health and features local stars of the stage and screen.
Unfamiliar with Kontroversial? Well, with a vision of a society where clothing is “less gender-specific and focused more on creativity and freedom”, the authentic streetwear brand is always aiming to challenge the issues connected with identity and stereotypes, and looks to empower people of all ages, genres, and sizes to feel comfortable with themselves and what they wear.
As part of the ‘Undressing Discrimination’ campaign, Kontroversial has chosen five brand ambassadors that it says “challenge the norm” by way of either their gender, profession, sexuality, or beliefs.
Kontroversial is “on a mission to share the struggles” faced by some of the most diverse communities / Credit: Kontroversial
The new campaign features a series of hard-hitting interviews that delve into the experiences of the ambassadors, who have all suffered mental health issues due to discrimination.
One of the chosen ambassadors is glamour model, Only Fans content creator, and the UK’s most-tattooed woman, Rebecca Holt – who has over 250,000 avid online fans, is a regular in national newspapers, has recently appeared in a Channel 4 documentary examining body confidence and positivity, and has a passion for supporting projects based around the LGBTQIA+ community.
Professional dancer and model Reece Daniels has also been brought on as an ambassador after he spent most of his younger years hiding his homosexuality due to fear of attack and bullying, but since coming out, has travelled the world performing for global superstars such as Rita Ora, and has become the face of campaigns for high street fashion brand and makeup brands.
Joining Reece and Rebecca are gender-fluid performers Denon James and Darnell Gledhill.
Known as ‘The Girls’, the pair regularly perform at flamboyant events nationwide, representing Manchester’s House of Ghetto, and are well-known nationally for competing within the underground ‘Ballroom’ scene, which is a subculture community based around drag.
The Manchester brand’s campaign focuses on mental health and features five local stars of the stage and screen / Credit: Kontroversial
Kontroversial’s collection of new brand ambassadors is completed by fitness influencer and mental health mentor Toby Holt – a former drug user who experienced severe depression and suicidal thoughts, but had his life saved by fitness and is now a professional personal trainer and online life mentor.
“I’m so proud to work with our new brand ambassadors,” said Kate Friar, co-founder and designer at Kontroversial.
“They represent confidence and body positivity and are not afraid to be who they truly are, which is a message we fully support, and through sharing their experiences, we hope to encourage others to have the confidence to be their authentic selves.
“For us to show different genders wearing the same clothes but worn in totally different ways shows the variety of possibilities within the same product, while also inspiring people to think outside the box of the gender norms and stereotypes associated with it.”
As part of the ‘Undressing Discrimination’ campaign, Kontroversial has teamed up with mental health charity Rainbow Minds to donate 20% of profits from sales in May and June to the charity that helps young people navigate mental health challenges associated with being within the LGBTQA+ community.
It features a series of hard-hitting interviews that delve into the experiences of the ambassadors / Credit: Kontroversial
“We’re incredibly grateful for Kontroversial’s generous support,” said Naomi Evans – Strategic Communications Lead for Rainbow Mind.
“Our Rainbow Mind project offers inclusive mental health support for LGBTQ+ people, providing a safe space for people to be their authentic selves free from judgement or discrimination [and Kontroversial’s] exciting new launch celebrates self-expression and gender inclusivity, values that also reflect our ethos.”
Kontroversial says it hopes the new campaign will help to create a reality where people of all genders, beliefs and races are “free to style and present themselves without fear”.
All the stories shared by the brand ambassadors for the campaign can be read in full on the Kontroversial website here.
Featured Image – Kontroversial
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The award-winning Manchester development offering renters up to £3.4k off – plus top amenities, a golf simulator, and more
The Manc
There’s a seriously exciting new neighbourhood taking shape right on the edge of Manchester city centre – and if you move fast, you could land a swanky new apartment and save thousands on rent.
This is Cortland at Colliers Yard, located just minutes from Deansgate and Spinningfields.
The impressive new rental community is dishing out some massive summer savings, including up to £2,500 off a 12-month lease or £3,420 off select three-bedroom apartments, if you move in before 31 July.
And residents at this new neighbourhood are promised a lifestyle that’s more akin to a private members’ club than a standard city apartment block.
For residents, that means terraces with skyline views; 25,000 sq ft of amenity space (yes, that does make it one of the biggest in the UK); and co-working lounges, boardrooms, private dining rooms and a Club Lounge – to name just a few.
There’s also a fitness centre that rivals actual gyms, kitted out with squat racks, ski ergs, full calisthenics rigs, a pilates and yoga studio, a spin room – you name it, you can work out in it.
Then there’s the games room, where you can play pool or shuffleboard, take on retro arcade games, or practice your swing in a golf simulator room.
Residents also benefit from a 24/7 concierge and an onsite maintenance team, so whether you need a parcel collected or something fixed, there’s always someone there.
The gymAmenities at Cortland by Colliers YardOne of the apartmentsPrivate dining roomCortland at Colliers Yard is offering a month’s free rent if you move in by 31 July
And it’s not just the facilities turning heads – Cortland recently won the 2025 Kingsley Excellence Award for Resident Satisfaction, so you know you’re getting more than just good looks.
The apartments at Cortland by Colliers Yard themselves are design-led and absolutely gorgeous, packed with natural light and high-spec finishes. AND they’re even pet-friendly, so your four-legged mate is welcome too.
In total, there are 559 new apartments, penthouses and exclusive townhouses to choose from of varying sizes, including one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom duplex penthouses, and two and three-bedroom high-level apartments.
And it’s in a prime location. Cortland sits in the heart of Colliers Yard, a growing community on the Manchester/Salford border with half-acre public park (Greengate Park) and a line-up of food and drink spots.
First up: Kallos, a Greek-inspired all-day restaurant with wine and flatbreads.
With the city expanding ever upwards and outwards, developments like Cortland at Colliers Yard are keeping residents and locals at the forefront, building vital new green spaces and factoring in space for local businesses too.
If you’re looking for more than just a place to live – something with real lifestyle built in – this could be the move.
Move in by 31 July to get up to one month’s rent free. Find out more HERE.
adidas and Oasis launch exclusive 90s-inspired collection with new Manchester store
Daisy Jackson
Rock ‘n’ roll giants Oasis have officially partnered with adidas to launch an exclusive Oasis Live ‘25 collection as part of a new Original Forever campaign.
The legendary Manchester band and the pioneering sportswear brand have dropped a full collection of 90s-inspired adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel.
The 26-piece collection lands just in time for the massive Oasis reunion shows this summer, which includes five homecoming gigs at Heaton Park.
And it’s launching in Manchester in a big way – with a brand-new adidas store that will host the exclusive Oasis collaboration collection.
The new adidas store is set to open on Thursday 3 July on Market Street, in the heart of Manchester’s busiest shopping district, and will have a packed programme of events to celebrate the city that shaped this iconic band.
Those events include a free after-hours opening party (you can sign up for the exclusive event through Eventbrite HERE), with free food and beer, plus a tote bag full of limited edition gifts for the first 150 in the queue – first come, first served.
Bada Bing will be in store serving up a specially curated menu of signature sandwiches, alongside beers from local craft brewery Track Brewing.
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparelThe adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel
Manc icons Mani from the Stone Roses and DJ Paulette will be DJing the event, along with giveaways, raffles, gifts with purchase, and a free photobooth.
The opening party is set to be a celebration of adidas within the city, of Oasis’s return to Manchester, and the city’s loud and proud legacy.
Later in the month, on Thursday 10 July, there’ll be a live podcast recording in-store – The Band With The 3 Stripes Podcast with The Face will take fans behind the scenes of Oasis, with photographer Lawrence Watson who’s known for capturing iconic images of the band’s raw energy and style.
His work with the band over the years helped to define the visual identity of the era and adidas’s influence on British youth culture.
The event will include complimentary drinks throughout the evening, with a personally signed A6 postcard print by Lawrence Watson as a gift with purchase if attendees purchase any one item from the range.
Between 18 and 21 July, from 10am to 6pm, adidas will collaborate with Vinyl Exchange on a record store takeover, featuring listening stations and a free branded slip mat with any purchase from the collection.
Exclusive to the adidas x Vinyl Exchange pop-up, select records will also be available at a set price for the special event.
A new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch eventA new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch event
Back to that collaboration though – Oasis and adidas have announced their official partnership to celebrate 30 years of shared history and culture-defining style.
The Original Forever campaign film shows euphoric crowd-surfers as they journey through each historic era that Oasis has touched, including iconic moments like Knebworth, Wembley and Rio – set to the soundtrack of Live Forever.
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel collection consists of looks from the 90s that have been reimagined for modern day, with quintessentially British style.
At their heyday, Oasis were deeply entrenched in UK terrace culture and lifelong football fans, leading to this new football-casual collection of Firebird tracksuits (Noel’s favourite), raglan sleeve jerseys, coach jackets and bucket hats.
Chris Walsh, VP Brand at adidas, said: “adidas and Oasis share a story defined by originality and cultural impact, with roots that run deep and have long been entwined in the fabric of music and style.
“This official partnership represents more than just two icons coming together; it reignites a timeless piece of cultural music history.
“‘Original Forever’ continues to build on adidas’ lasting legacy in music and celebrates the powerful role music and style play in shaping culture across generations,”
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 collection is available now within adidas retail stores including the brand-new adidas store in Manchester, and adidas.co.uk.
The new adidas Manchester store opens on Market Street on Thursday 3 July, with the exclusive Oasis collection in store.
Emily Sergeant -
17th May 2022 
