5 need-to-know Queer Brands that are leading the way in Sustainability
To celebrate the start of pride month we at Contemporary Fashion wanted to highlight some of the amazing LGBTQIA+ brands that are leading the way in sustainability. Looking at designers and brands who are breaking down gender binaries, creating pieces for the full spectrum of gender, size and ability.
Image via @offical_rebrand Instagram
Official Rebrand
The New York based non-binary artist MI Leggett is the genius altering and regenerating clothes stripping them from gendered confines. Leggett shares – “This thesis is for anyone who wears clothes and wants to contemplate the significance of clothing as more than just a social and climatological necessity.”
A former food justice advocate with a background in sustainable agriculture, video art and painting, they now transform unwanted materials into stylish clothing and sculptures. Leggett challenges the boundaries between art and fashion through upcycling clothes into fashion forward garments, whilst paying reference to the psychological, political, and environmental consequences of excessive accumulation and consumption.
Shop Official Rebrand - https://officialrebrand.shop/
Image via Rebirth Garment’s site.
Rebirth Garments
A brand with a mission to create non-conforming gender wearables and accessories for people on the full spectrum of gender, size and ability. Founded by the creative Sky Cubacub (They/Them) is a non-binary queer and disabled Filipinx human from Chicago, IL. Sky created the unique and colourful line of wearables for trans, queer and disabled people of all sizes and ages in 2014. Challenging the mainstream beauty standards that are sizest, ableist, and conform to the gender binary. Instead, Rebirth maintain the notion of Radical Visibility, a movement based on claiming our bodies and, through the use of bright colours, exuberant fabrics, and innovative designs, highlighting the parts of us that society typically shuns.
The garments are truly inclusive, stylish, and forward-thinking, each hand-crafted and can be fully customisable. Rebirth practices slow fashion and prides itself on being a zero-waste company using all the fabric cut-offs. Bigger scraps are used in workshops Sky teaches and littler scraps are used for Sky’s mother’s art classes at her grade school, usually for decorating puppets!
Find out more about Rebirth Garments - http://rebirthgarments.com/about
Image via Automic Gold’s site.
Automic Gold
The Millennial run jewellery brand Automic Gold is out to change the industry for the better, size-inclusive, diverse and for all genders. Their fine sustainable jewellery is truly for everyone. Each piece is made from reclaimed gold and arrives in recyclable packaging.
Created by New York-based Al Sandimirova, the mission is to create jewellery that is more inclusive, accessible, and honest. “…majority of today's jewellery is designed by old men with big money, is marketed using skinny models with pale skin and is un-inclusive and un-diverse.” Breaking away from the industry standards such as rings only being made in sizes 4 to 9 Automic Gold offer sizes 2 to 16.
Shop Automic Gold - https://www.automicgold.com/
Image via Kenneth Nicholson’s site.
Kenneth Nicholson
The Los Angeles-based designer Kenneth Nicholson is redefining masculinity through his advanced approach to menswear. Challenging the often-narrow rules that accompany the genre by evolving historical points of reference with empirical application. Nicholson’s designs emphasise construction, movement, textures, strong silhouettes and innovative techniques.
Earlier this year Nicholson landed on Depop with a capsule collection called “Divison 332” made entirely out of deadstock. The gender-neutral collection was a nod to his time in the U.S Navy with boxer and crewneck sets emulating boot camp gear and the use of military greens.
Shop Kenneth Nicholson - https://www.kennethnicholson.us/
Image via @ludovicdesaintserninx Instagram
Ludovic de Saint Sernin
Ludovic de Saint Sernin celebrates beauty, sensuality, and sexuality through design. Created in 2018 by French designer Saint Sernin, a Fashion Design graduate from l’ESAA Duperré, who had experience at several French fashion houses before launching his own line. Ludovic de Saint Sernin is made for guys and girls, with most pieces being designed without a gender in mind. With their forward thinking and inclusive garments Ludovic de Saint Sernin have built up a community of like-minded individuals on their Instagram account - @ludovicdesaintserninx which acts as a platform for free expression.
Ludovic de Saint Sernin ensure sustainable practices are closely followed, making the majority of their clothes and accessories in France. They consciously shorten their supply chain and maintain a close relationship with all their ateliers.
Shop Ludovic de Saint Sernin - https://ludovicdesaintsernin.com/