A red lion facing a black dragon with red accents, separated by a lightning bolt.

Phase 002:
The Approach

Phase 001:
The Idea

Phase 003:
The Result

001

fairies wear bootlegs.

Black Sabbath & Aston Villa. Two pillars of global culture united on a global stage. On July 5th, for the first and only time, two legacies proudly forged in the heart of Birmingham come together in a landmark collaboration.

To celebrate the collaboration between Black Sabbath & Aston Villa, a collection of wearable items were designed with the aim of fusing these two distinctly unique worlds into a range that is as authentic as it is aesthetic.

Illustration of a lion and a dragon facing each other, separated by a yellow cross, with a stylized map outline in the background.

Drawing inspiration from iconic album art spanning Black Sabbath’s legendary career, these designs weave together the enduring spirit of Aston Villa’s devoted fanbase with a more contemporary spin on some of Black Sabbaths most recognisable covers.

Colour:

When referencing Aston Villa via the use of Claret, Blue, yellow or any combination of these swatches, care has been taken to adhere to Aston Villas approved Pantone swatches.

A comparison chart of four music albums, each represented by colored bars. The albums are 'PMS 222 C' with maroon, light blue, and yellow bars; 'Vol 4 & Self Titled' with white and yellow bars; 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' with beige and red bars; and 'Master Of Reality' with a purple bar.
Three variations of a logo featuring a purple lion and a one-eyed flying dragon with a yellow cross in front of them on a black background.
Comparison of three sets of lion and dragon symbols with a cross between them, in white, red, and purple on a black background.
Design layout for a Black Sabbath concert at Villa Park on July 5. Features black T-shirts with various band logos and artwork, including a winged demon, a lion, and the band name in different styles. Also includes logo stickers and text graphics for the event.
Promotional poster for a concert by Black Sabbath at Aston Villa on July 5, featuring a stylized yellow and purple illustration of a hand with fingers pointing, a logo with a winged figure, and text indicating the event date.
A sketch of a T-shirt with the words 'BCHS' and 'Sabbath' and a lion graphic on the front.
Two versions of Black Sabbath concert posters, one in black and white and the other in color, featuring a winged figure on a shield, with the date July 5, and a partial outline of a person's face and an animal in the background.

002

master of layouts.

The Alternative backed artists Dirt Wizard and Snakehed to bring the concept to life. Partnering with local legends Dirty Herd to handle screen printing, we opted for AS Colour’s 5001 t-shirt for our blanks to ensure the perfect balance between quality and the classic band tee.

In celebration of this monumental moment in Aston culture, the artists set out to fuse two of its heaviest hitters into one wearable piece of art that paid tribute to two of the cities most beloved dynasties.

Black T-shirt with 'Black Sabbath' text, yellow lion graphic, and 'VILA' on front; plain back view.
A poster or sticker design for Black Sabbath's concert on July 5 featuring their emblem with a stylized, winged creature on a shield with vertical purple and blue stripes, and the date on a ribbon at the bottom.
A detailed sketch of a shield featuring a dragon, with a banner reading 'JULY 5' at the bottom. The top of the shield contains the words 'Black Sabbath'.
A close-up of a pink and white pizza box with a dragon logo, placed on a counter. In the background, a tattooed person wearing a maroon shirt appears to be working or preparing something, but their face is blurred and not clearly visible.
Screen printing screen with a yellow background and a silver lion emblem.
Close-up of a Black Lives Matter sign featuring a white lion logo and text.
A red surface with a yellow lion emblem and partially peeled white sticker.
Screen printing screen with a pink background and the logo of British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, featuring a lion and text.
A person using a screen printing press to print a logo with a lion and the words 'Wild Animal' on a purple and white stencil.

“the thrill
is in catching
the idea”

david lynch

We created a Black Sabbath x Aston Villa T-shirt in the pure spirit of creative play. The self-initiated project to celebrate the legendary band’s show at Villa Park. It wasn’t client work just something we wanted to do for the love of it. The result was a T-shirt design that merged Sabbath’s iconic vol 4 artwork with a villa twist, alongside a poster that captured that exact feeling, merging these two giants into one celebratory piece of work. It was a creative exercise that paid tribute to two Birmingham icons, just for the joy of making.

sabbra
cadabra.

003

A black T-shirt with a yellow lion graphic and white text that reads 'Black Sabbath' and 'Vhh Village'.
Black T-shirt featuring the band Sabbath's logo with a yellow lion emblem.
A black T-shirt with yellow and white graphic design resting on a gray metal surface with "BLACK CABBRATCH" cut out.
Memorial display at Black Sabbath Bridge featuring four black-and-white cutouts of band members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and others, along with a Black Sabbath t-shirt with yellow lion logo, set on a metal bench with engraved names and Birmingham, Alabama, sign in the background.
Cutout illustration of a man with long hair and mustache wearing a cross necklace, adjacent to a flag with the words 'West Ham' and a yellow lion emblem.
Black t-shirt with white text saying 'Black Sabbath' and yellow lion graphic.
Back of a black jacket featuring a yellow lion emblem and the words 'Affliction' and 'Harbor' in large gray and white font, with a street sign and part of a display with a religious cross and images in the background.
A person standing on a gray bench hanging a large colorful banner on a brick wall. The banner features a yellow dragon with wings and the date "July 5" at the bottom.
Person wearing an orange jacket creating graffiti art on a surface with a yellow spray paint can, featuring a shield emblem with a lion and the words 'The Dark Society'.
Nighttime city sidewalk with graffiti-covered walls and a promotional sign for Black Sabbath, with cars and shops visible in the background.
A nighttime city street scene with a pedestrian walking past a brick building with a crest on the wall, street signs, and parked cars in the background.
Text saying 'Fairies Wear Boots' in bold white letters on a black background.