Hackney Empire, Wood Street Walls and Hackney Women’s Football Club have unveiled a specially commissioned football kit celebrating two significant anniversaries in the borough: 125 years of Hackney Empire and 40 years of Hackney Women’s FC.
The kit was designed by London College of Fashion student Daphne Scotto Di Carlo, whose winning design was selected through a paid competition created by Hackney Empire, Wood Street Walls CIC and London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London.
Students were invited to explore the histories and legacies of both organisations, including visits to Hackney Archives, before developing concepts inspired by archive materials and local heritage.
Scotto Di Carlo’s final design draws on typography and print styles found in historic Hackney Empire playbills and tickets, while also referencing the theatre’s distinctive red seating. The kit features the words “Playing with Pride Since 1986”, highlighting the history of Hackney Women’s FC, Europe’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ football team.
The collaboration extended beyond the kit’s design. Hackney Empire’s Young Producers worked alongside Wood Street Walls’ Mark Clack and photographer Jake Green to art direct and deliver a campaign photoshoot featuring Hackney Women’s FC players and Hackney Empire young artists.
The project forms part of Hackney Empire’s 125th anniversary celebrations, recognising the artists, audiences and communities that have shaped the venue since it opened in 1901, while supporting the next generation of creatives across the borough.
Chris Sudworth, CEO of Hackney Empire, said: “This project brings together so many of the things we want our 125th anniversary to represent: celebrating Hackney Empire’s extraordinary history while creating opportunities for the next generation of artists and creatives, and working in partnership with the communities around us.
“It has been brilliant to see the students respond so imaginatively to our archive, and for our Young Producers to then take that work forward through the campaign shoot. Hackney Women’s FC has its own remarkable history in the borough, so this feels like a fitting celebration of two organisations that have community and inclusion at their heart.”
Daphne Scotto Di Carlo said: “Inspired by the typography and imagery found in the Hackney Empire archives, as well as Hackney itself-from corner shops and football pitches to everyday street details-the kit aims to embody the character of the area. As a female footballer, I also considered colourways and graphics as a way to give players confidence on the pitch.”
Molly Redmond, General Secretary of Hackney Women’s FC, said: “This project is a really exciting moment for Hackney Women’s FC, particularly as we celebrate our 40th year. It feels especially fitting that it lands alongside Hackney Empire’s 125th anniversary, two proud parts of Hackney’s history coming together. To have our training kit created in collaboration with such an iconic venue is so special, and we’re incredibly proud to wear it. It means a lot to see our club’s LGBTQIA+ history represented through this collaboration, as we reflect on everything that’s shaped and made us who we are today. We’re incredibly grateful to Wood Street Walls for their support and for bringing the project to life.”
Mark Clack of Wood Street Walls said: “Having been speaking to Hackney Women for a number of years on how we can help promote the club’s amazing work and history, I am delighted to be involved bringing three very important London institutions together for this project, and showcasing some amazing emerging creative talent. The context, locality and personal story of a club matters in a project like this. Hackney Empire’s place in London’s history celebrating their anniversary, along with Hackney Women’s own 40th celebration brings together people and place, with a shared time to celebrate both their achievements with London College of Fashion’s stellar students. We are honoured to be involved in such a beautifully shot and such a thoughtful and well-designed kit.”
Founded in 1986, Hackney Women’s FC is dedicated to making football more accessible for women and non-binary players across London and has built a strong reputation for promoting inclusion both on and off the pitch.
The project was funded and produced by Wood Street Walls CIC and made possible through support from the North London Waste Alliance in partnership with London College of Fashion.
More information can be found here.
