When you realize the effects of fast fashion on our planet it can take all the fun out of going to the mall – or lower Broadway in Manhattan. Buh-bye H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters and Top Shop. You cost too much for us!
But does becoming more conscious mean sucking all the sparkle and shine out of life? Hell no! When buying new we hope you choose the sustainable and ethical choice but there’s a whole lot of glittery goodness in second hand that you can scoop up and save from the landfill. We hope second hand/vintage clothing will become the first choice for many which is why our first original fashion editorial was produced in collaboration with Terrence Francois, the founder of Wear Versatile – a Queer and Trans Thrifting Social.
Wear Versatile events are shopping pop-ups with a focus on WOC/QTPOC brands as well as a swap and thrift section, a beauty bar, music and food. They serve not just as a safe space of “inclusivity” but a celebration of fabulous authenticity. Our models are wearing a mix of thrifted and their own clothes which make them feel powerful regardless of current trends. Sometimes sustainability can be as simple as remixing what you already own!
Did you know that 26 out of 51 states in the U.S, allow businesses to refuse to hire you based on your gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status? It’s a heart aching reality that the LBTQIA+ community faces. Given this information, how do we, LGBTQIA+ and allies show up to work?
On May 17, 2019 the Equality Act was passed to protect the queer, gender non-binary community from employment discrimination on a Federal level. However the states that did not protect our community before are slow to hold businesses accountable to this law. So let’s all do our part so the workplace recognizes the value we bring.
Shot at *The Raga Closet, we’re featuring four LGBTQIA+ people— Richard, Walesca, Dean and Lauren — who navigate intersections of professionalism, workplace respectability politics, authenticity and self-awareness.
In this capitalistic and white supremacy system, it takes vulnerability and audacity to show up as your full self. Period. As people who live in the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, dealing with pushback— be it from the administration or co-workers,—about how they present themselves is at times a reality. However, these instances are not always destabilizing. That is because they each have self-care practices that reminds them of their power… choosing to wear clothes that are expressive of who they are being one of them.