Zalando presents
Their Time
Introducing 'Their Time', the stories of five remarkable LGBTQIA+ individuals—Lola von der Gracht, Nella Ngingo, Francesco Cicconetti, Peter Tatchell and Damsel Elysium—who share their experiences with time to coincide with this year's Pride.
14 May 2024 · 4 min read
LGBTQIA+ individuals have long grappled with their relationship with time and its unique challenges. From delayed milestones such as 'emotional puberty'—take delayed dating and emotional development—to feeling a sense of urgency and scarcity of time thanks in part to historical events like the AIDS epidemic.
"Their Time" is a short film directed by Jess Kohl in collaboration with Jordan Anderson, delving into these complex, time-led relationships. Follow our diverse cast, spanning various ages and experiences, as we dive into their personal journeys with time through thought-provoking interviews, exploring a question that's both simple yet deeply philosophical.
Damsel Elysium
Sound composer & visual artist
Damsel is an experimental sound and visual artist and composer. Using instruments like the double bass, violin and piano, they blend original field recordings, movement and sculpture with the aim of exploring alternative communication and connections with physical spaces and nature to craft a multidisciplinary expressive world.
From Damsel's perspective, time feels everlasting, always offering something new. Discovering their queerness seemed to expand time for them, allowing them to move at a slower pace, appreciating the intricate details. In part, they find themselves with an infinite amount of time to explore nuances about themselves and the world around them.
“ I’m able to recognise that there’s more perspectives of time than the one that we’re kind of taught. ”
- Damsel Elysium
Francesco Cicconetti
Transgender advocate
Francesco Cicconetti, known as Mehths, is an Italian writer, digital creator and populariser. His journey stands as a testament to determination and resilience. Since 2017, he has fearlessly shared his gender transition on social media with humor and authenticity, emerging as a vital voice within the LGBTQI+ community.
Francesco's journey has unfolded at its own pace, distinct from that of his peers. Experiencing life's milestones—from fitting in to falling in love—later than most, he attributes his resilience and success to the unwavering support of his family and friends.
“ Being a trans person gifted me with an experience, a perception of others, and bodies in general, that CIS people can’t understand. ”
- Francesco Cicconetti
Lola von der Gracht
Artist, writer & performer
Lola von der Gracht delves into emotionality, identity, gender and community, amplifying marginalised voices. Her artistic repertoire covers poetry, music, performance, photography, drawing and installation, all aimed at discovering community, identity and purpose. Leading the post-punk/alternative rock band NIP SLIP, adds another dimension to her creative expression.
Thinking about time, Lola says you shouldn't have regrets. Realising the importance of becoming an artist before fully embracing womanhood, she recognised the need to cultivate self-love and break free from society's rules and norms, which often seek to impose restrictive labels. Being trans is about experiencing the journey in your own time, but for Lola, it's important for her to speak out about the process and help others.
“ I think in terms of time, you shouldn’t have regrets. You can look at the past but don’t stare at it. ”
- Lola von der Gracht
Peter Tatchell
LGBT+ campaigner
For over 57 years, Peter has been a tireless advocate for human rights, championing democracy, civil liberties, social equality, environmental protection, peace and global justice... to name but a few. Renowned for his activism in the fight for LGBT+ freedom, he's joined over 3,000 protests, endured 100+ arrests and bravely faced more than 300 violent assaults.
Growing up in late-60s Melbourne, where LGBT+ support was scarce, Peter's queerness was thrust into fast-forward after playing a crucial role in organising Britain's first-ever pride parade back in 1972. Drawing a modest crowd of 700 people, the event has now surged to over 1 million.
“ Whereas most of my straight contemporaries ended up getting married, having children, I charter my own course. ”
- Peter Tatchell
Nella Ngingo
Model, photographer & activist
Nella's journey began amidst the turmoil of genocide in her homeland of Burundi. Now based in Amsterdam, the city has become her sanctuary, where she says she fully embraces her identity as a queer woman. Modeling serves as her refuge, offering a platform to embody diverse personas and discover liberation. Through this, she forges connections with a broad audience, fosters community and empowers young Black women like herself.
Nella states that time seems to race ahead. She shares that her journey has unfolded in multiple stages; growing up, queerness was not a visible part of her life, only encountering it upon moving to Europe. The first exposure to queerness occurred, paradoxically, within the church. Since fleeing her country, Nella has reveled in a newfound sense of freedom, always striving to live in the present moment.
“ For us queer people, we’re already outside of society’s expectations, and to me that is so liberating. ”
- Nella Ngingo