In these troubled times when Chechnya has been accused of gay purges and Russia’s anti-gay policies aren’t under scrutiny because…The World Cup, duh, being an ally of the LGBTQ+ community requires more than slapping on a rainbow.
If the body is political and fashion is a way of communicating then a natural way of showing your Pride Month support is by using your clothing to spread a powerful message. Watching a Pride parade – in London at least – showcases the tensions of our current socio-economic climate. Amongst the celebration and pro-Pride outpouring there is a dominating presence of corporations. Companies, like banks and supermarkets (Barclays and Tesco, for instance), sponsor floats while Transport for London paints its logo the colours of the rainbow. Though the ‘official partners’, which range from mobile networks to airlines, are championed by Pride organizers for their support to stamp out prejudice, it can be hard to see past their own insignia.
However, hundreds of brands have forsaken their bottom line to design collections in collaboration with charities and not-for-profits that spend not just Pride month, but the whole year fighting for equality. Labels, like Levi’s, Gap, ASOS, Calvin Klein and Doc Martens have devised pieces that will feedback and fund progress. It’s now up to us to show that Pride is good for business. ‘How’ you ask? By shopping these pieces, of course.
LGBTQ+ pride month fashion
1 of 10House of Holland, Rainbow Suits
Show your true colours with Henry Holland's label House of Holland's vivid rainbow-hued collection of suits that donates 25 per cent of sales to The Albert Kennedy Trust benefits.
2 of 10ASOS X GLAAD
With the motto 'Stand proud. Stand united', ASOS has partnered with the LGBTQ+ charity GLAAD on a 22-piece collection that is available in all sizes and for all genders.
3 of 10Wildfang, Feminist Pride T-Shirt
The global pride celebrations may only last a month, but show your support the year round with this Wild Feminist t-shirt, which donates proceeds to The Trevor Project
4 of 10River Island, Hearts Not Parts Collection
As part of River Island's on-going anti-bullying campaign, Ditch The Labels, their 'Hearts not parts' and '100% proud' gender-neutral slogan tops celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and donate £3 of each sale to charity.
5 of 10Madewell, Human Rights And LGBTQ Equality Campaign
In honour of pride month, Madewell has created a limited edition t-shirt and tote that donates to America's largest civil rights organization, Human Rights Campaign.
6 of 10Vladimir, Rainbow Raincoat
Don't let the weather rain on your pride parade with Stutterheim Vladimir's rainbow raincoat, which gifts 10 per cent of the price to international LGBTQ charities.
7 of 10Dr Martens, Pride Boots
Kickstart equality with Dr Martens' rainbow washed 1460 boots that have a hidden message on the sole. A portion of the sale of each tie-dye shoe goes the Trevor Project.
8 of 10Weekday, Slogan Tees
aise awareness and take pride while celebrating the life and work of the rainbow flag designer and gay activist Gilbert Baker with Weekday's slogan t-shirt collection that donates proceeds to the UN's free and equal campaign.
9 of 10Mignonne Gavigan, Madison Earrings
Make a point with statement jewellery, like these MG glass seed beaded earrings that donate 50 per cent of profits to the Stonewall Foundation
10 of 10Levi’s, I Am…Proud.
In collaboration with the Harvey Milk Foundation, Levi's has devised a line of tee's, shorts and accessories that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.