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Harry Styles donates Gucci rainbow loafers to raffle for LGBT mental health charity

Jul 04 2018
Written by Ella Braidwood

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 28: Harry Styles performs during the 31st Annual ARIA Awards 2017 at The Star on November 28, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Zak Kaczmarek/Getty Images for ARIA)

Harry Styles has donated his rainbow loafers to the UK’s oldest LGBT+ mental health charity, London Friend. (Zak Kaczmarek/Getty)

Singer Harry Styles has donated a pair of Gucci rainbow loafers to a raffle raising money for the UK’s oldest LGBT+ charity, London Friend.

The raffle, which takes place on Saturday, will also include prizes donated by Years & Years’ Olly Alexander, actor Russell Tovey, Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett, and food writer Nigel Slater.

Styles’ rainbow shoes proved a fan-favourite during the press tour for 2017 film Dunkirk.

Proceeds will go to the LGBT+ mental health charity London Friend, which provides counselling and support to those in the queer community.

It’s being organised in partnership with fashion magazine Fantastic Man and clothing company Blouse.

The raffle will be held during a brunch, at seafood restaurant Neptune, on Saturday July 7 in London, just before the capital’s iconic Pride parade.

Tickets to the brunch cost between £35 and £45, with £10 from each ticket donated to London Friend.

Other items have been donated by author Alan Hollinghurst, architect Ashley Hicks, and a number of fashion brands, including Erdem and Mulberry.

Styles has donated his rainbow loafers to a raffle in aid of London Friend. (harry__lambert/Twitter)

Styles – who is an outspoken supporter of gay rights and has waved pride and transgender flags at his gigs – has a big LGBT+ following.

Earlier this year, two fans arranged for 15,000 people to create a gigantic lit-up rainbow at his concert. And, on Twitter, he has been hailed as a “lesbian icon.”

Tens of thousands are expected to attend Pride in London this weekend.

Pride in London runs throughout June and into the beginning of July – with events, including a film festival, being held across the capital – culminating in the iconic parade this weekend.

Transport for London (TfL) has painted underground roundels and benches with the Pride-colours in the lead up to the event.

TfL has also installed the trans flag – the first time it has done so – on some tube benches and roundels.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m proud to raise the Pride flag at City Hall. For the first time this year London will celebrate our LGBT+ community with both rainbow and trans colours across the transport network.”