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New clothing line for the LBGTQ+ community launches
Fierce Unicorn, which made its first major debut at Pride Day 2019, is the brainchild of HARTZAK, a Bristol-based clothing company for bears of the LGBTQ+ community.
Run by married couple Kike Areitioaurtena and Alex Galindo and their business partner Steve Kay, HARTZAK was founded in 2013 using Kike’s talent for graphic design, Alex’s marketing knowledge and Steve’s retail experience. Six years on, the launch of Fierce Unicorn is a natural progression.
“We’ve participated in Bristol Pride for several years now,” says Alex, who is also a part-time lecturer at UWE Bristol. “We realised that many people outside of the bear community would come to us and they say ‘do you have t-shirts for lesbians? Do you have t-shirts for families? Do you have t-shirts for women?’ and at the time, we would say no. So, we created a new brand.”
is needed now More than ever
Kike and Alex outside their studio in The Island
Fierce Unicorn features Kike’s vibrant designs, hand pressed inside the company’s studio inside The Island. The new brand also features kids’ sizing and adult sizes run from extra small to large.
Bears themselves, Alex is from Mexico City, and Kike is from Spain. The pair have been together for 16 years.
“We met online, and for a while, I noticed that his typing was a little off – but I thought this was because he was from Spain.” Later, Kike revealed to Alex that he was deaf.
“So, I went to the bookstore, and I bought a sign language book. The next time that we were on video, at the end of the conversation, I go like this…” Alex signs “I love you.”
Explaining that Keke then appeared confused, Alex attempted to clarify the romantic gesture: “So, I typed: that means I love you! And he’s like: Not here! And all the romance was gone.” Alex laughs.
“So, that was when I learned that sign language is not universal.”
The HARTZAK/Fierce Unicorn studio in The Island
Since then, Alex and Kike lived in countries across the world before moving to Bristol on the recommendation of friends ten years ago.
“We love Bristol. We’re very happy here.”
Find out more at www.fierce-unicorn.com
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