Gap announced it partnered with black-owned clothing brand The Brooklyn Circus to launch a limited-edition collection that melds academic style with streetwear while simultaneously paying homage to the late and great Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
According to a press release, the collection aims to promote individuality, movement and modern prep. In doing so, the project required creators to grab inspiration from the 1960s to now—from music to Black culture.
“We took our graphic elements and brought that explosion of energy and culture to iconic Gap styles,” Ouigi Theodore, the Brooklyn Circus founder and creative director, said. “I’m proud of what we’ve put together and honored to launch a campaign with Gap that highlights various communities.”
Some of their products include but aren’t limited to basketball shorts, varsity jackets, Oxford popovers, crewneck sweatshirts and more.
Included in the project was tWitch, who could be seen in a campaign video posted on Instagram, dancing about while sporting some of the collection.
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“In loving memory of our friend, Stephen’ tWitch’ Boss,” the post read. “We were fortunate to have Stephen on set with us, where he told us, ‘We have to take these little moments of light and these little moments of joy and stretch them out as much as possible.’”
Theodore interviewed with Women’s Wear Daily and talked about his experience working with tWitch before his death.
“His energy on set, his energy in life — it just hurts to know that he’s not around to see this campaign rollout,” he said. “He sent me a text ten days before his passing and a month after shooting the campaign. It was just praise on what we do as a brand and just the way he felt about being on set and on this project.”
Allison Holker Boss said that she and her late husband were overwhelmed with emotions after seeing the project’s visuals, in awe of how creators captured him.
“He was so moved by how they captured his true essence, and he was excited for the world to see them,” Boss said. “We pay tribute to Stephen’s life by sharing these images in homage to the joy and light he brought to everyone around him.”
In addition, to the collection, both companies vowed to honor tWitch by donating to Vibrant Emotional Health to support the 988 Lifeline.
