The deal sees fabulous cards, stationery and giftware from Art of Drag at Ryman stores during Pride.
Art of Drag, which takes famous artworks featuring cultural female icons and replaces them with drag artists, is collaborating with both Ryman and its new, design-led concept stores, Ryman Design, for this exclusive Pride 2024 collection.
Launching during the Pride month of June will be a new Art of Drag Pride collection of giftware and stationery, along with a specially designed range of nine Art of Drag greeting cards. Both ranges will be in-store exclusives to Ryman Design and selected Ryman stores and also available on the Ryman website during Pride 2024.
The Art of Drag Pride Collection of giftware and stationery includes notebooks with gold-edged pages, mugs with gold handles, coasters, tote bags, water bottles, magnets and more. There’s also a range of boxed pens with positive sentiments engraved on the pens, such as: “YOU ARE LOVED” and the fun and cheeky engraving: “DON’T F*CK IT UP”, which lovers of drag may recognise.
This new Pride giftware and stationery collection was created by Art of Drag’s lead LGBTQ+ artist, who has combined bold, sticker-like graphics with geometric grids and the colours of the Progress Pride Flag. The collection celebrates diversity and calls for a more inclusive society, values which are at the heart of Art of Drag.
Impressive growth throughout 2023 – in the UK and abroad – led to a strategic decision by Art of Drag brand owner The London Studio to found a standalone company, Art of Drag Limited, to build on the opportunities opening up for a brand that has really struck a chord with licensees and the public, already inspiring calendars, jigsaws, fashion collaborations, wall art and more. Further UK deals are imminent – and now Art of Drag is sashaying into new markets thanks to a recent agreement that sees respected agency Firefly Brand Management bring Art of Drag to the vast US and Canada markets.
The new company has its own dedicated staff, strategy and budget but remains closely aligned with The London Studio through its founder, multi award-winning designer and retail consultant, Soula Zavacopoulos, who is director of both companies.
Soula says: “I’m delighted to be working with one of the UK’s biggest names in cards and stationery. Theo Paphitis’ dedication to supporting small business is something I have always admired, and I love that these values are reflected in the team at Ryman Design, who have been passionate about supporting our independent artists. I am thrilled to be collaborating with Ryman and looking forward to seeing our new Art of Drag Pride Collection in stores soon. Together we aim to bring this fun brand and the superb artists that support it to a bigger audience than ever, whilst celebrating diversity and inclusivity.”
Theo Paphitis, owner and chairman of Ryman, says: “We’ve greatly enjoyed working with Soula on this fantastic project. Her talent for thinking both creatively and commercially means she develops products that our customers can’t get enough of. And this superb new collection doesn’t disappoint – it truly stands out for quality, style and originality – perfect for Ryman Design customers!”
