Sierra Leonean Kola Pride Laurel Wreath T-Shirt — Shared Welcome

Sierra Leonean Kola Pride Laurel Wreath T-Shirt — Shared Welcome

The Sierra Leonean Kola Pride Laurel Wreath T-Shirt celebrates Shared Welcome—the connections that help us feel recognized, valued, and free to express who we are.

Broad green leaves, delicate pale blossoms, and distinctive opened kola pods form an open laurel-style crown. Rainbow-colored seeds bring LGBTQ+ visibility into the botanical illustration, while a warm ivory ribbon binds the crossed branches and carries PRIDE.

Inspired by Sierra Leone’s flora, this botanical Pride shirt brings together heritage, self-respect, and belonging through a design centered on welcome.

The Meaning of the Kola Wreath

The kola tree, Cola nitida, is native to Sierra Leone and provides the botanical inspiration for this artwork. npgsweb.ars-grin.gov

Within this design, broad leaves suggest generosity and shelter. Opened fruit pods reveal the seeds within, symbolizing recognition and the freedom to share your identity on your own terms. The seeds represent individual stories held within a connected community.

Two branches cross at the base and sweep upward into an open ceremonial crown. This laurel form expresses honor and dignity, while the ivory ribbon represents the support that brings people together.

Shared Welcome is the artwork’s chosen theme: belonging grows when people make room for one another.

The Pride Colors

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet appear across the illustrated seeds and selected botanical details. Natural green foliage, pale blossoms, and warm brown pods anchor the palette.

Clearly distinguishable blue and violet complete the six-color Pride spectrum. These rainbow details are an intentional artistic interpretation, connecting the kola wreath with LGBTQ+ visibility.

The Meaning of “PRIDE”

Pride can mean self-respect and recognition of your own dignity and worth. 

On this wreath, PRIDE affirms identity, heritage, and community. It expresses the confidence to value yourself and the generosity to recognize that same worth in others.

Deep charcoal lettering places the word once on the ivory ribbon, where the two botanical branches meet.

The Artwork

Inspired by late-19th-century hand-colored botanical plates, the illustration combines fine engraved linework, varied watercolor washes, matte painted details, and restrained archival texture.

Broad leaves, small blossoms, and opened seedpods give the wreath its distinctive character. An open center and modest ribbon tie preserve the balanced laurel silhouette.

Why You’ll Love It

• Features PRIDE on a softly folded ivory ribbon
• Draws inspiration from Sierra Leone’s native kola tree
• Celebrates shared welcome, recognition, and belonging
• Incorporates all six rainbow Pride colors
• Combines botanical detail with an open laurel crown
• Features an antique natural-history illustration style
• Connects Sierra Leonean heritage with LGBTQ+ visibility
• A thoughtful gift for botanical art lovers, LGBTQ+ wearers, and supportive allies

FIT

The AS Colour 5001 has a comfortable regular fit—not oversized and not especially slim. Choose your usual size for a classic everyday fit. For a roomier, more relaxed appearance, consider sizing up.

Care instructions

• Do not iron
• Do not dry clean
• Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
• Do not bleach
• Do not tumble dry

EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY

Product information: AS Colour 5001, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC

Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), Do not bleach, Do not tumble dry, Do not iron, Do not dryclean