FC Moonlight

Coached by Barry Jenkins they once famously maintained 98% possession for 45min and scored with the last kick of the half against Sporting Paimon SC.
The dark blue kit sports Chiron’s name - a quiet man off the pitch but one of the most intelligent playmakers in the (imaginary) game. This is an aerial imagining of one of the most vulnerable moments in the film. There is so much to be said for how McCraney wrote this scene & how Sanders and Jerome bring it to life. From macho facades to intense vulnerability. So many men know that feeing.

The light blue kit is inspired by one of the most beautiful scenes in recent memory. The way that scene was shot by James Laxton, the performances, all to the tune of my favorite songs ever Nicholas Britell’s The Middle of The World. Barry Jenkins won my heart with this scene.

The black kit was worn by the team in the Oscar Cup final when a dramatic last minute goal from team captain Black saw the club lift its first major title. There’s so much about this one that I love, mainly because of the included quotes from the film and song Hello Stranger by Barbara Lewis & how real the notion is that hearing a song is enough to reignite an old connection. Also worth mentioning I attempted to styled the “Kevin’s kitchen” sponsor after the actual diner in Miami where this was filmed.

Seabirds Soccer Club

Defined by the club mantra, “Bad luck to kill a sea bird,” team infighting has led to many an explosive altercation on & off the pitch. Despite the tumultuous locker room, they’ve never been relegated. There is so much iconography to work with in The Lighthouse. I tried to lean on what would be most absurd (given the perplexed feeling I left the cinema with after 1st viewing), hence the team name, central focus of the crest, and repeating “WHAT?” trim.

An ode to the lighthouse beside the coastal stadium, this kit bears the name of club captain Thomas Wake. Best known for his impassioned speeches, Wake once shouted at a supposedly “lazy” teammate, “Let Neptune strike ye dead!”

Harga FF.

In a 90 year history, Harga FF have never lost a match at home. Opponents have described the coordinated, almost cult like chanting, as the single most uncomfortable experience in the footballing world. I initially had a much simpler approach to this first Midsommar kit, trying to emulate Dani’s clothing. But then said fuck it I wanted these jerseys to feel as bold and overwhelming as the film made me feel.

The May Queen kit. This kit is worn only once a year in celebration of Midsommar. After the midsommar match each year, a massive bonfire takes place outside of the stadium, where Harga supporters often burn the jerseys of their opponents.

The San Francisco Witch Hats

The San Francisco Witch Hats. Gilded in gold and bearing a star above the club crest, the Witch Hats are the only team to have ever gone undefeated for an entire season across all competitions. The club crest features my favorite piece of the house, the Witch Hat, hence the kind of absurd team name. Also included is my absolute favorite quote from the film, “Let us give each other the courage to see beyond the stories we were born into.” Of the 3 kits this film inspired, this 1st one is most directly inspired by the house. In the opening 5min, we get one of my favorite montages ever as Jimmie and Mont skate to the house while the voiceover references the house‘s characteristics and proclaims, “This is our home!”

Rooted in pride of place, the majority of Witch Hats players were born and raised in San Francisco. In their unbeaten season, every player in the squad was a SF native. The goal was to create a kit that felt as grand as the house and Jimmie’s appreciation of it. After his retirement, team captain Jimmie Fails started competing as a pro skater. After 3 X-Games gold medals, he again switched sports and now competes on the US Olympic Rowing team.

Magic Castle SC

Despite a history of poor leadership at the club, you’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate supporters group than the Pink Wall. They’re best known for  their motto, “Foul-mouthed & lovable.” Mostly the foul-mouthed part. Truths told through the eyes of children is what makes this film special, so the goal with this jersey was to be as joyful and earnest as Moonee’s perspective. A stucco texture and a rainbow is all ya need :)

This kit wears the name of player/manager Bobby. He once kicked a player out of the locker room for letting a drop of ice cream melt onto the floor. Ice creams are a regular post training snack at Magic Castle SC. Bobby and the motel were such important characters in this film, they deserved their own kit. This jersey was illustrated from this scene when Moonee kills the power and everyone slowly filters and we see just how many lives Bobby is responsible for in his role as motel manager.

Sacramento Sparrows

Founded in 2002, the club has struggled to live up to the ownerships expectations. The tension between club captain Lady Bird & the majority owner once got so out of hand that the player threatened to buy the club out. Designed by a defiant (now ex-)employee sympathetic to the team captain’s frustrations with club, the jersey sponsor was ditched for this message. Thousands were already produced when the club President discovered the change. If nothing else, this kit was an excuse to put “fuck you mom” and “immaculate fart” on something resembling a school uniform. If you ever had to wear a school uniform, you’ll know how satisfying that would  be.

After their 1st year, top goalscorer Danny left for local rivals SF Witch Hats. The Sparrows tried to ensure future players wouldn’t do the same; note detail below neck. A year later, a player named Kyle did the same thing. A tribute to every 2nd hand high school prom dress.