Christmas is not always the most wonderful time of the year. Many LGBTQIA+ people find visiting home at Christmas means masking their true identities or facing derogatory insults. To celebrate the queer positivity and help raise money for The Common Press, a queer bookshop facing imminent closure, creatives at Wieden + Kennedy London have collaborated with interdisciplinary artist Bora to collaborate on a one-off, resin Fairy Christmas Tree Topper.

The Fairy Christmas Tree Topper has been created to challenge the use of the word ‘fairy’ as derogatory slang and take back ownership. The fairy that sits atop of a Christmas tree is seen as a symbol of peace. ‘The Fairy Christmas Tree Topper’ aims to reclaim the fairy as a symbol of joy and inclusion.

The eye-catching design is bright and bold. Wieden+Kennedy London commissioned Bora, an interdisciplinary queer artist known for works of imaginative activism, to design the vision made with resin. 

Speaking on the design, Interdisciplinary artist Bora says: “We have the power as humans and artists to reinvent, morph and recreate narratives that are more inclusive, and more aligned with the times that we live in. I often work with big symbols that have already been invented, and I like to reinvent them. This Fairy is really about creating a sentient magic object that can spread magic around people.”

Holly Attrill, Creative, Wieden+Kennedy London added: “The fairy on top of the tree is such a recognised, angelic symbol of innocence that sits at the heart of homes over the festive season. Whilst at the same time many LGBTQIA+ people face exclusion, have to alter themselves, or tolerate derogatory insults such as ‘You’re such a Fairy’ to be welcome in their family homes over the holidays. This topper reclaims the fairy as a queer icon that reminds us all to accept each other as who we are, fairy or not.” 

The piece will be auctioned to raise money for The Common Press, London’s first consciously queer bookshop that is a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community during day and night. The space is facing closure due to a lack of investment.

The piece will be exhibited at Wieden+Kennedy London’s outdoor gallery space from December 5th to 24th, free to view outside 16 Hanbury St. The auction will run until 13th December and can be accessed here.