The LGBTQ+ community and fashion have always been inseparable. Fashion empowers people to express their identity in their own way, and LGBTQ+ people are adept at pushing the boundaries of self-expression through clothing and accessories. While LGBTQ+ acceptance has improved over the decades, there are countless designers in the community whose work and contributions often go unnoticed, especially after Pride Month.
So we’re shining the spotlight on today’s emerging queer designers who prove showing off pride is more than just a parade. From diversifying the makeup of luxury brands to going viral on TikTok and shattering traditional gender roles, these nine emerging designers are reinventing the way we show off LGBTQ+ pride.
Batch My
Courtesy of Sophia Mitchellen
Born and raised in Houston to Vietnamese immigrant parents, designer Bach Mai, who studied under John Galliano in Paris, has never been afraid to be himself. “I express my pride by being unashamedly myself every day, and carving out space for myself as a queer Asian man, regardless of skin color or body type, is a declaration of that pride,” Mai says. “It’s a celebration of the power to embrace and celebrate who I am, free from the constraints of shame and societal prejudice.”
This celebration of confidence is reflected in Mai’s ultra-feminine, meticulously crafted fashion, which is more like a work of art than a typical dress. His designs have earned the small, independent designer a diverse fan base that includes Southern socialites, Carrie Bradshaw look-alikes, and rappers like Megan Thee Stallion.
When asked why people should support independent designers during Pride Month and beyond, he responds, “Pride is about self-expression, individuality, and authenticity. Nothing embodies this more than finding small, independent designers with a unique voice and expression that you connect with.”
Dori Hazan
Courtesy of Sebastian Milano
Dori Hazan, creative director of Italian shoe brand Sebastian Milano, believes queer culture has always been about “pushing the boundaries, rethinking and reinventing what is considered social norm,” which is why he wants the brand to avoid being boxed in by rigid notions of who, or what gender, can wear its fabulously feminine pieces.
“As a luxury brand, inclusivity is a core value, a principle embodied in our slogan, ‘Women for All.'” He says the inspiration for the brand’s latest campaign and plus-size range came from his friend Judy, who, as a drag performer, found it impossible to find shoes in their size.
From gorgeous heels inspired by Grace Jones to pumps adorned with plump “Dada” lips to showgirl-worthy stilettos, Hazan’s designs aren’t just made for women. They’re made for people with big personalities who want to show it off. And the perfect way to show off your pride, according to Hazan? “Only the tallest heels!”
Fan Guo
Provided by FANG
For designer Fang Guo, having pride means “embracing yourself, your authentic perspective, your creativity, and not succumbing to heteronormative ways of thinking and living.” “Pride isn’t just about corporate pride month in June,” he says of his eponymous knitwear brand, FANG. “It’s an age-old story: trends come from underrepresented and marginalized communities, then get promoted, monetized, and widely adopted by corporations.” But in Guo’s opinion, “it should be authentically expressed 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Indeed, with a beguiling lineup that includes barely there tops, tie-dye bodysuits, and a new capsule collection with dating app Sniffies, it’s clear that Guo wants those who wear the label to live full lives unconstrained by the fear of hiding their identity. “Pride, especially for me, is about truly expressing individuality and authenticity, often through fashion. For example, if I feel like wearing a dress today, I will, regardless of what strangers on the subway might think or look at me!”
Francesca Farago
Courtesy of Francesca Farago
Canadian-born model, social media mogul, and business owner Francesca Farago may have first found fame starring in the Netflix series Too Hot to Handle, but off-screen, she’s also found professional success with her inclusive swimwear brand, Farago the Label. More importantly, she’s living her authentic self with pride and the man she chooses to love. Over the past few years, Farago and her partner, Jesse Sullivan, have openly shared their journey as a queer couple, including Sullivan’s gender transition, and documented their path to parenthood (they recently announced they’re pregnant).
“This Pride is a special time for me because I’m pregnant with twins,” Farago said. “Especially in today’s climate, with so much anti-queer activism in America, it’s so important that I openly and unapologetically show my support for our community.”
Gunnar Deserage
Courtesy of Gunnar Deserage
Earning millions of views is the norm for viral design sensation Gunnar Deatherage. Beloved for his decadent DIY sewing videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and nearly every other social media platform, the Project Runway alum teaches how to create jaw-dropping outfits. In front of the camera, he’s recreated rainbow dresses from The Hunger Games and Fleur Delacour’s blue uniform from Harry Potter, looks that lean into the escapism and nostalgic fantasy that the queer community loves.
Deatherage’s roots heavily influence his flamboyant designs. “I’m from the South, and the small town I grew up in wasn’t a very welcoming place for weird or flamboyant people,” he says. “So as an adult living in a big, inclusive city, Pride month for me is a month of celebration and reflection on where I come from, and a reminder to always pursue my creative endeavors and be as weird and unique as I can.”
How will he celebrate his first New York City Pride?[With] “Vintage western boots, short cut-off shorts, big belt buckles, and a nice tight t-shirt with a big cowboy hat,” he says. “There’s something about cowboys…”
Kelsey Randall
Photo courtesy of Arius
Kelsey Randall is a queer designer who wears many hats, both figuratively and literally. Born in the conservative South, Randall’s designs are bold with a bombastic and, dare I say, draggy country-rock aesthetic. “My lifestyle and brand are super queer, so my pride is always on display,” Randall says. “Most of the people I collaborate with are queer and married to other women, and I have a lot of LGBTQ+ friends. My life is very gay.”
Her custom leather goods, embellished, vintage-inspired clothing, and rhinestone-encrusted cowboy hats have garnered enthusiastic fans like Lil Nas X, Julia Fox, and Rainey Wilson. “The rights and lives of queer people are still under attack in this country and around the world,” Randall said when asked why Pride is important to her. “It’s so important for people to be loud and proud in their support of the LGBTQ+ community and to be a voice for those who are under threat.”
Kingsley Gbadegesin
Courtesy of K. NGSLEY
Through figure-flattering knits, sensual silhouettes, and eye-catching hemlines, Nigerian-American, New York-based designer Kingsley Badegesin aims to reclaim and redefine how Black, queer, and female bodies are viewed in society. Of his own brand, K.NGSLEY, Badegesin says, “Our pride is always on display. It’s at the heart and intent of what we do.”
The provocative brand exists to serve these communities, using Badeghesin’s designs as a dialogue starter around gender expression. He sees this thought-provoking approach to design as an intrinsic part of being queer in the fashion industry. “Fashion has been influenced by queer culture for a long time, as have many iconic creative directors. [of] “They are the girls of yesterday and today,” he says. “They are [their queerness] Advocating for diversity and inclusion, and championing and breaking down gender norms.”
Nicole Gigi
Courtesy of Ashley S. McLean
After leaving her hometown of Broward County, Florida to study at Parsons School of Design in New York, Nicole Gigi decided to push the boundaries in both gender and sustainability. Speaking of Pride Month, Gigi says, “It’s a moment to celebrate those who came before us, those who paved the way for others to live in this world, and the incredible opportunity to be part of a community.”
Haitian-American designer Nicole Gigi Studio combines chic and cool elements with gender-neutral silhouettes. The brand’s mission is to uplift the community and minimize its impact on the environment. As the brand continues to grow and thrive, Gigi believes in advocating for others. “I encourage you to shop within your community during Pride Month,” Gigi says. “Supporting independent designers also promotes equity within our community, which is essential to our survival and allows us to maintain our creative independence.”
Laurie Robinson
Courtesy of Rory Robinson
Laurie Robinson, founder and creative director of jewelry brand Issy, believes fashion is a perfect way to express pride, as it reflects life and culture in general. “Pride is a multifaceted and complex concept. [my Pride] “My work is based on my life experiences and what I’ve learned so far about myself and the world I choose to create,” they say. “My purpose is to share and spread beauty in all its forms, which is literally what I do for a living.”
That beauty takes form in whimsically designed jewellery, from baroque pearls to glass spheres, evoking fantasies of far-flung adventures, magical moments and rebellion. Their work can be seen on Bella Hadid and And Just Like That.
“One of my favorite Isshī styles is the Desnuda necklace, which means ‘nude’ in Spanish. The idea behind it is that you never have to take it off – it’s something to wear and live in,” says Robinson. “For a lot of queer people, our skin is the hardest to live in because of outside forces that treat us, love us, care for us, don’t see us at all, or don’t show us the way we should. It’s a very simple style in the Isshī library, but the message behind it is relatable and meaningful.”