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Arts·Commotion

How some artists are redefining the Fred Perry polo today

Rapper Rollie Pemberton and Jon McCann, a musician and wholesale rep for Fred Perry in Canada, talk about the evolution of the Fred Perry brand.

Musicians Rollie Pemberton and Jon McCann discuss the evolution of the Fred Perry brand

CBC Arts ·
EALING, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Detail view of the Fred Perry logo on the court prior to the finals of The Fred Perry Championships 2020 at The Brentham Club on September 13, 2020 in Ealing, England.
Detail view of the Fred Perry logo on the court prior to the finals of The Fred Perry Championships 2020 at The Brentham Club on September 13, 2020 in Ealing, England. (Julian Finney/Getty Images for Fred Perry)

For over half a century, the Fred Perry polo has been the shirt of choice for a myriad of UK subcultures. Its iconic laurel wreath logo was embraced by mods in the '60s, rudeboys in the '70s, Britpop fans in the '90s, and rappers in the 2000s.

However, in recent years, the black-and-yellow Fred Perry polo was appropriated as the de facto uniform for the extreme right-wing organization the Proud Boys.

Now, a new wave of Black artists — including UK rap duo Bob Vylan and DJ/singer Nia Archives — are helping to restore the wreath as a symbol of inclusivity. Today on Commotion, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, rapper Rollie Pemberton and Jon McCann, a musician and wholesale rep for Fred Perry in Canada, talk about the evolution of the Fred Perry brand.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: 

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Panel produced by Stuart Berman.

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