10 LGBTQ+ Owned Inclusive Conscious Fashion Brands to Amplify and Celebrate
by Jharna Pariani
There’s no denying the fact that the LGBTQ+ community has had significant influence on fashion and culture. In honor of Pride Month, we’re celebrating the creative individuality of LGBTQ+ fashion brands that are paving the way for a more inclusive sustainable fashion future. Expect to discover eco-minded brands that are the flag-bearers of sartorial expression.
What Is Rainbow-Washing and Why Is It the Wrong Way To Support the LGBTQ+ Community?
While it may seem visually appealing to watch every brand you follow on Instagram transform their profile pictures into a version of the pride flag, there is a very good chance that their show of support is no more than just that — a show.
Similar to greenwashing, where big corporations or brands make empty claims about their sustainability efforts, rainbow-washing is a performative tool used by brands who carelessly create rainbow-themed merchandise as a tactic to make an easy buck during a month-long celebration that is meant to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community and not commodify them.
More often than not, the brands that participate in rainbow capitalism are the ones whose messaging is rarely aligned with their actions. Last year, a study found 25 companies who’ve pledged more than $10m to anti-LGBTQ+ federal and state politicians. These brands have been equally keen to let their pride flag fly high while backing politicians who have passed damaging discriminatory laws in their governing states that negatively impact the LGBTQ+ community.
What About LGBTQ+ Representation and Inclusivity in the Fashion Industry?
Findings from the State of Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Fashion by the CFDA and PVH report that 51% of LGBTQ+ employees feel the fashion industry is highly inaccessible to them as compared to 41% of heterosexual employees.
Further, 18% of LGBTQ+ employees surveyed said they would not recommend others like them to apply for a job in the fashion industry. Moreover, 65% of LGBTQ+ employees reported experiencing microaggressions in fashion workplaces, primarily around having their competence questioned.
This report emphasizes that the fashion industry has yet to overcome its biases against LGBTQ+ individuals in fashion.
While it's important for systemic changes to be challenged from within, we can also advocate for change by educating ourselves on growing issues faced by their community, and fight for LGBTQ+ equality in the same way we show up for women’s rights and anti-racism.
As advocates for an inclusive fashion future, we want to see more LBGTQ+ owned businesses thrive. So we've rounded up ten thoughtful fashion brands led and founded by LGBTQ+ individuals that are worth getting to know.
Where to Find LGBTQ+ Owned Conscious Fashion Brands
Official Rebrand
Founded by New York-based non-binary artist, MI Legette, Official Rebrand transforms unwanted deadstock materials into one-of-a-kind pieces of gender-fluid clothing. Expect to find slogan t-shirts with empowering yet fun messaging, along with jackets and other separates that feature hand-painted abstract artwork on them.
The brand upcycles landfill-bound items like linen curtains, garments from other brands with sewing defects and other deadstock materials that lends to the brand’s apt name, Official Rebrand.
The transformative process of reviving and transforming existing textiles serves as a metaphor for the brand that celebrates fluidity by disconnecting garments from gendered categories and reintroducing them without binary constraints.
Price: $$-$$$
Suay Sew Shop
Suay Sew Shop has been in the business of breathing new life into landfill-bound textiles since 2017. From remade apparel made using post-consumer fabrics to patchwork home goods, Suay is built around a clear ethos of keeping textiles in circulation for longer.
Apart from upcycling, the sustainably-minded shop offers a community dye bath that refreshes stained clothes, creates customized furniture upholstery, provides clothing repairs, and bespoke memory quilt services owing to its in-house sewing and production shop.
The queer-owned business is also no stranger to championing garment worker rights and policy reform for fair wages. In 2020, Suay organized weekly food distribution drives for garment workers and launched their nationwide textile donation recycling program, Suay SOS.
Price: $$-$$$
Kirrin Finch
After facing a tough time searching for menswear pieces that were tailored to fit and suit their bodies, the Brooklyn-based couple Laura and Kelly Moffat took it upon themselves to create a brand that fitted and catered to a menswear-inspired aesthetic.
Whether it’s shirts, blazers, dress pants or even vests, Kirrin Finch prioritizes fit and the female form so wearers don't have to experience "ill-fitting menswear or overly frilly womenswear ever again." Their shirts are designed and fitted to avoid any unsightly gaping at the chest but don’t feature any darts that hug your curves either. Think of it as inclusive menswear with added comfort — minus the conformity.
Price: $$-$$$
Homoco
With clothing categorized as "Versatile Tops" and "Power Bottoms" on their website, it’s easy to guess that Homoco is a brand that enjoys infusing a healthy dose of fun into its range of colorful swimwear and summer-ready pieces. From camp collar shirts to swimming trunks and briefs, their vibrant prints are sure to put you in a mood to set course for the beach this summer and show them off.
Made from 90% REPREVE® (recycled plastic), responsibly-sourced Tencel, and organic cotton, a small range of their T-shirts are also naturally dyed using avocado pits, black beans, and turmeric.
Founded by queer designer Daniel DuGoff, Homoco donates a portion of its sales to organizations that champion LGBTQ rights.
Price: $$
Phlemuns
A Black-owned unisex fashion label founded by James Flemons, Los Angeles-based Phlemuns is a celebrity favorite among artists like Lizzo, Lil Nas X and Miley Cyrus.
The brand utilizes deadstock materials to create unique pieces like backless tees, shirts with slips attached, and denim chaps among other streetwear-inspired separates.
Watch out for the Pride edition pieces that include a fun rainbow overlock stitch detail.
Price: $$-$$$
Chromat
One of the few queer-owned labels that have repeatedly showcased their collection at New York Fashion Week, Chromat’s claim to fame comes from its bold swim and bodywear line that’s consistently been modelled by trans, specially-abled, and plus-sized people of color, whether it’s on their campaigns or the runway.
Worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Madonna, Chromat makes shopping on their website just as diverse as their runways by showcasing their inclusive swimwear on models of all sizes and ethnicities.
The brand uses regenerated nylon spun from fishing nets and post-consumer plastic bottles recovered from ocean waste. They also work with ethical, fair-wage factories in New York City and Bulgaria.
Price: $$-$$$
Origami Customs
Origami Customs is a Canadian brand that understands the intimate-wear needs of the trans and queer community.
The brand offers a diverse range of gender-affirming intimates and swimwear with free custom-sizing for everyone that can also be altered at no additional cost. Right from binders and compression gaffs, to bodysuits and swimwear, (even a line of garters and harnesses!) their styles are suited for every need and body type.
Using materials like deadstock fabrics, recycled polyester, regenerative bamboo and modal, Origami Customs has also partnered with LGBTQ community organizations across Canada to provide necessary, affirming products to people with limited access at low or no cost.
Price: $$-$$$
Wildfang
Wildfang is a label that’s tossing away the conventional gendered fashion playbook in favor of clothing that embraces masculinity, femininity, and everything-in-between.
Unique styles with a high-fashion aesthetic, Wildfang creates printed blazers, coveralls, button-ups, pants and vests that are size inclusive and appropriate for work, play, and beyond.
Founded by Emma Mcilroy, who identifies as a queer woman, the brand works with audited factories, minimizes textile waste, and is intent on creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
Price: $$-$$$
Nicole Zïzi Studio
Nicole Zïzi Studio is a Black, queer-owned, genderless brand that specializes in streetwear.
Exuding a minimalist aesthetic with pared-down styles that’ll outlive trends, these size-inclusive separates are bound to become your next wardrobe mainstays.
With a central focus on delivering quality, Nicole Zïzi uses quality materials like organic cotton, recycled denim, cactus leather, and algae ink on their graphic shirts. The brand also offers a made-to-measure service on their existing range of styles for a customized fit.
Price: $$-$$$
Beefcake Swimwear
Beefcake Swimwear creates 1920s-inspired swimsuits that are size-inclusive, from XS to 5X.
Their swimsuits are made using recycled polyester and produced in small batches with a transparent breakdown of their cost listed on their website.
We love the fact that despite selling only one style of swimsuit in various prints, they offer a custom style to fit long torsos — because no body type is the same!
Price: $$
About the Author:
Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers.
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Cover Image credit: Suay Sew Shop