Shondaland recently announced the launch of Bridgerton: The Official Podcast, a new insider guide to the world of the Netflix hit series that will offer weekly stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes bits. And if you’re looking for some new, lush loungewear to help you settle in for a nice long listening sesh of the new Shondaland Audio podcast, look no further. Netflix and Phenomenal are bringing us a new dazzling merchandise collection, Bridgerton x Phenomenal, just in time for the launch of Bridgerton: The Official Podcast.
Phenomenal is a purpose-led, female-run lifestyle brand known for its activism-focused campaigns and products like #1600Men, Phenomenal Voter, Phenomenally Black, Phenomenally Asian, and Phenomenally Latina. It was founded by Meena Harris (the niece of Vice President Kamala Harris), who started making t-shirts with feminist messages as a side hustle while working in Silicon Valley. “Like a lot of people, after the 2016 elections, I found myself wondering what I personally could do to lift up women, make our voices heard, and support issues I cared about,” says Harris. “Phenomenal started as a very small initiative to raise money for women’s organizations — I had made a handful of 'Phenomenal Woman' t-shirts for the first Women’s March in 2017, inspired by my favorite Maya Angelou poem, Phenomenal Woman, and I decided to sell them on International Women’s Day through Women’s History Month. I wanted to honor the work of Black women like Maya Angelou who came before me and paved the way, while also celebrating the historic moment that was the Women’s March.”
As the fledgling company’s popularity grew, so did its message; social justice and human rights became a part and parcel to rallying cries, like “Justice for Breonna Taylor,” as well. And now, the four-year-old company “continues to amplify the voices of female leaders across communities that are making the world better and more equitable for all,” says Harris. That work brings awareness to social causes around urgent moments and has garnered support from thousands of celebrities, athletes, and thought leaders, including Serena Williams, Issa Rae, Samuel L. Jackson, and others.
Phenomenal looks to inspire positive change in the world and bring the voices of underrepresented sectors to the forefront by partnering with nonprofits, foundations, causes, and companies that align with that ethos. As their site says, they “look to stand at the intersection of culture and politics with a specific emphasis on communities of color and underrepresented voting blocs.”
And so, to memorialize the enormous success of Bridgerton, the Phenomenal x Bridgerton collection will amplify the show’s powerful female characters and honor its diverse casting thanks to the handiwork of Read Receipts designer Chantal Strasburger, who designed four different wears featuring some of Bridgerton’s most notable phrases: A “Dear Reader,” sweatshirt, an “I wish to be entertained” hoodie, an “If there’s a scandal, I shall uncover it,” sweatshirt, and an “I burn for you” sweatshirt.
Shop the ‘Bridgerton’ x Phenomenal Collection
Phenomenal x Bridgerton "Dear Reader" Crewneck Sweatshirt
Phenomenal x Bridgerton "I Burn For You" Crewneck Sweatshirt
Phenomenal x Bridgerton "If There's a Scandal, I Shall Uncover It" Crewneck Sweatshirt
Phenomenal x Bridgerton "I Wish to Be Entertained" Hoodie Sweatshirt
“By incorporating quotes from these lead characters into this first collection, we’re celebrating the diversity and power that exists throughout the cast, showrunners, and EP,” says Harris. “As a longtime member of the Shonda Rhimes fan club, I am personally so thrilled to be partnering with Netflix and Shondaland to continue the conversation and celebrate powerful women through our products”
Phenomenal’s messaging around ambition intersects with Shondaland’s commitment to creating, championing, and centering bold, powerful female characters in their ever-expanding slate of television series. These are women who don’t conform to society’s limited views of who and what women should be, and on the edge of Women’s History Month, the Bridgerton x Phenomenal collection couldn’t be better timed. “Shondaland always strives to work with brands who share our values," says Shondaland Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer Chris DiIorio, "which couldn’t be more true of this partnership with Phenomenal. We are excited to partner with them alongside our friends at Netflix to bring this collaboration to the Bridgerton fans.” By incorporating quotes from the show’s lead characters onto sweatshirts, Phenomenal is furthering their mission of promoting power and ambition.
Expect such themes and more to also be addressed in Bridgerton: The Official Podcast, the first full-length episode of which premieres on February 25, with episodes airing weekly thereafter. Hosted by Shondaland Audio producer Gabrielle Collins, it is this author’s opinion that it is the official look behind the curtain of the series. Opening up doors to all the inner workings of the record-breaking TV show, Bridgerton: The Official Podcast will also feature three additional co-hosts: Jess Brownell, a writer on both season one and the upcoming season two; Hannah Greig, the on-set historian of the show and veritable walking Encyclopedia of Regency-era knowledge; and Annabelle Hood, who served as both a Bridgerton researcher and personal assistant to showrunner Chris Van Dusen.
Head here to listen to Bridgerton: The Official Podcast, meet the team and subscribe for more episodes starting next week.
Valentina Valentini is a London-based entertainment, travel and food writer for Vanity Fair, Vulture, Variety, Thrillist, Heated, and The Washington Post. Her personal essays can be read in the Los Angeles Times, Longreads, and her tangents and general complaints can be seen on Twitter at @ByValentinaV.
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