Ahead of Pride, DIESEL explores trans identity in their stirring new film, starring model and activist Harlow Monroe.
At the beginning of Francesca – the striking and surprising new film from DIESEL – we see model Harlow Monroe staring intently at her reflection in a mirror. She plucks her eyebrows, pops a pill, pulls on her jeans and runs off to lectures.
Ahead of Pride celebrations, helmed by award-winning director François Rousselet (known for his work with the likes of Kanye West, Jack White, Snoop Dogg), the film follows a young trans woman as she transitions, navigates life, later achieving her dreams.
Model and activist Harlow Monroe – who plays Francesca – has always been vocal about her own journey of transitioning, as well as the trials and tribulations surrounding her identity.
In the film, we see Francesca’s day punctuated by her taking her hormones: in the men’s toilet, then before she has laser hair removal, later getting ready at home while dancing on her bed, she then applies makeup, and goes to a club night. We see her admiring her appearance in the women’s toilet of the club, proudly and comfortable – as she finally embraces herself and accepts her true identity. Throughout the scenes, her DIESEL denim staples are slipped on comfortably like a go-to uniform for her every-day expression. Part of their “For Successful Living” philosophy, the film sees the brand underlines to viewers that being true to oneself is the single most important element of life. And the end of the film sees the most surprising scene of all, she eventually trades her DIESEL jeans for a habit, entering a nunnery and a life of faith.
“I truly responded to the story of Francesca,” explains model Monroe. “Because, like me, she has always been a believer. I’ve always known my true identity, and I’ve never stopped believing in my ability to live the life I wanted. It takes personal bravery, and family support, but we both made our truths a reality, and now we can tell the world our story and how we reached our version of successful living.”
To celebrate the release of Francesca, DIESEL are teaming up with world-renowned Club Quarantine for the first 24-hour global digital party, connecting far-reaching cities all over the world, and hosted on Zoom in late June. DIESEL are also introducing its 2020 capsule collection, dedicated to Pride – setting up a fund to support international projects dealing with gender identity and integration into the work market.
The collection will be available worldwide at DIESEL stores, selected retailers and on diesel.com.
Diesel and OTB Foundation will support two international projects dealing with gender identity and integration into the work market: the SF LGBT Center (San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center) and the TGEU (Transgender Europe).
