In 1978 an artist called Gilbert Baker hand-dyed pieces of fabric and made them into a beautiful rainbow flag to march under during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. It instantly became a symbol of protest against oppression and hope for a free future. One theory suggests Judy Garland’s singing of Over the Rainbow inspired Baker but popular consensus is that it was derived from The Flag Of Races which was used at peace demonstrations throughout America during the 1960’s.

The flag which was emblazoned on everything from T-shirts to guitars comprised of five horizontal stripes - red, black, brown, yellow and white – symbolising the different skin colours of the human race. Baker liked the notion that a flag can belong to a community not just a country and created his with a similar thought process. Each stripe holds a specific meaning: pink for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic and art, blue for serenity and violet for spirit. Of his flag, Baker says: "There's an old saying among flag makers: A true flag can never be designed, but is torn from the soul of a people."

The Rainbow Flag joins the Peace Symbol, the Black Beret, the Anarchy emblem and countless others as an important part of our visual history. Clothes have long been used in both propaganda and protest to send everyday messages to the government, a sovereign, even parents. Punks, Skinheads, Beatniks, Goths – all of these groups chose fashion as a way to highlight their rebellion. Protest clothes are the most immediate way to let someone know your position without needing to say anything at all.