IKEA and artists from 2SLGBTQ+ community celebrate diversity in pride with 'love seats'

in celebration of the diversity in pride, IKEA canada unveils its collection of ‘love seats’ inspired by the pride flags of different 2SLGBTQ+ identities. the company partners with a group of individual artists active in the community to create the series of loveseats — both playful and didactic — to celebrate identity and share stories of love. each work takes shape as a one-of-a-kind slip-cover which, although is not available for purchase, seeks to promote authentic and intimate storytelling — whether about self-love, romantic love, or love for the larger community. the series hopes to spark a worldwide conversation and inspire members of the diverse community to feel more confident in opening up dialogues of their own.

images courtesy of IKEA

the IKEA love seats were created by one of four designers, three of whom identify as queer and one of whom is an ally to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. claudia mayne, IKEA canada’s director of marketing communications comments: ‘this partnership is our way of helping artists in different communities express themselves on a large platform in a way that’s been tricky during COVID-19. each love seat was designed in collaboration with a community member and inspired by the colours and personal meaning of the corresponding flag. each designer had the freedom to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art.’

as part of its love seat collection, IKEA spotlights ten members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. they each share their stories of ‘self-love, romantic love, family love, chosen love, or community love.’ jules reeves, a trans woman featured in the campaign with her partner michael, comment: ‘it means so much for us to have the focus of the campaign be our love for ourselves and one another, because that love is what sparks a feeling of home and belonging within the queer community.’ see each story here.