CHICAGO (Oct. 6, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced a new limited-edition merchandise line created in collaboration with local artist Brandon Carlton and his streetwear fashion brand, UGLY Brandon. The launch of the merchandise line will take place on Friday, Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m. CT at Round Two, a vintage clothing store in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, ahead of the Club’s 25th anniversary on Saturday, Oct 8.
“When we originally began ideating for the Club’s first streetwear collaboration, we envisioned someone on the rise that is rooted in Chicago, and we could not have found a better partner than Brandon and his line, UGLY Brandon,” said Chicago Fire FC Senior Director of Marketing Justyne Freud. “This collection is an opportunity for our fanbase to express themselves in new ways and for the Club to introduce itself to a wider audience within Chicago. We truly feel this is a collaboration for all Chicago."
The collaboration between the Club and UGLY Brandon was inspired by the pride that both brands share for the city of Chicago. The merchandise collection incorporates Chicago-specific motifs and elements of Chicago's legacy into the designs. A t-shirt, hoodie, sweatpants, rugby shirt, socks, letterman jacket, hat, and tote bag make up the collection which incorporates designs inspired by Brandon’s most popular illustrations and paintings. The additional marks feature creative mashups between the UGLY Brandon and Chicago Fire FC logos.
“The opportunity to collaborate with a professional sports team in a city I call home and to create something authentic for the city of Chicago was an honor,” said Brandon Carlton, designer for UGLY Brandon. “My dad is an avid soccer fan as he played for University of Maryland, Baltimore County and has since become a Chicago Fire season ticket member. I can’t think of a more dream scenario for me to be a part of and I’m looking forward to this relationship with the Club continuing to grow.”
The Fire and UGLY Brandon will host a launch event on Oct. 7 in partnership with Round Two, a national high-end vintage clothing store founded on a mission to make fashionable and contemporary streetwear more accessible for the everyday consumer. The event is open to the public and will take place at Round Two’s brick-and-mortar store located at 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. Doors for the event open at 6 p.m. CT.
The collection will be available for purchase at Round Two, as well as at the Fire’s final match of the 2022 season on Sunday, Oct. 9 at SeatGeek Stadium (tickets here).
Next Match Info
The Fire will celebrate the anniversary of their 25th Season throughout this upcoming weekend, highlighted by their final match of the year on Sunday, Oct. 9 as they host New England Revolution at 1:30 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium. Following the match, the Club will host a concert with Puerto Rican rapper LUNAY. Match tickets, available here, will also include access to the concert. The match will also be broadcast live on WGN and CF97Live, and transmitted locally in Spanish on TUDN 1200 AM.
About UGLY Brandon (Brandon Carlton) (IG: @uglybrandon)
“You gotta love yourself,” is the motto for self-taught artist Brandon Carlton (UGLY Brandon). Loving himself is his first step in loving others; this mindset has taken him to where he is now. The authenticity of Carlton’s work lies in the representation and direct reflection of his experiences and growth. The inspiration for his works come from everyday life through his travels with modeling and his background in streetwear, by exploring the human psyche through his intimate portraits that partly stem from reality but mostly from his imagination.
About Round Two (IG: @roundtwo_chicago)
Chances are if you collect sneakers or vintage, you’ve probably heard of Round Two. We’ve been a staple of the Sneaker & Vintage communities since our inception in 2013. Starting in Richmond, Virginia and expanding into major cities such as LA, New York, Miami and Chicago, Round Two has supplied it’s community with shoes, clothes and most importantly a place to hang out, escape and meet up with like-minded individuals. Round Two is working on breaking down the barriers of entry to streetwear and contemporary menswear that so many brands try to put up. Clothing is a form of expression and should be fun; Round Two is doing everything they can to bring that fun back, while making it as accessible as possible for the everyday consumer.
