Hey Hey Hey Guys, Gals, and Non-Binary Pals! It’s us again, the Apocalypse queers from over yonder on Pearl St. Summer is on the horizon and we are manifesting Miu Miu mini skirt glory for our sunny weather walks 😍 Speaking of Miu Miu, it’s time to talk FASHION. We aren’t just talking about any old fashion, we are talking about non-binary, TRANSformative, gender-queer realness. It may seem like the future is here, but gender beyond the binary has actually existed since the beginning of time. We are grateful to anyone and everyone that has been brave enough to defy the gender binary and return to the fluidity of our true nature 🌈💜🦄
Degender Fashion
This month, we are moving beyond boring old binaries and talking about #degenderfashion, a movement propelled forward by icon extraordinaire, Alok Vaid Menon. It’s a movement about love, acceptance, and authentically expressing the entirety of our inner beauty. #degenderfashion breaks down the imaginary gender binary that divides and confines so we can instead liberate our true expression through what we wear. Alok reminds us that degendering fashion is not just for people in the Queer community – it’s a movement for all people regardless of identity. So, to celebrate the boldness and bravery of queerness, let’s pull on our big non-binary skirts and look at some Queer creatives shaking up the fashion world 🤩
Indigenous Imprints
Our first brand celebrates Indigenous identities and the beauty that comes from eyes unclouded by the gender binary. IamAninsihaabe, a native fashion brand led by Delina White, from the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, designs apparel and jewelry employing native techniques and materials. In 2019 IamAnishinaabe held a fashion show that exclusively features two-spirit Native models. Two-spirit is an anglicized term that Indigenous people use to describe gender constructions outside of the binary. Historically, Native communities around the world have viewed gender much more fluidly than western societies. It wasn’t until colonization that the binary world view was violently enforced upon the Native communities. Indigenous fashion that includes two-spirit models is an act of decolonization in itself, breaking the hegemonic norms of western imperial ideals of beauty and style. And just LOOK at those prints!!!
Bad Bunny Boldness
One of today’s most popular musical artists, Bad Bunny, also plays with gender in fashion. As a Puerto Rican megastar, he uses his own expression as a way to challenge a pervasive and restrictive binary worldview. In 2020, Bad Bunny released a music video for his song “Yo Perreo Sola” which loosely translates to “I Twerk Alone”, in which he is dressed in drag as a woman. In the video, he wears a tight red latex skirt while dancing around and shaking his booty. No surprise the video garnered immediate international attention, as it portrayed a Latino masculine person breaking the norms of gender and sexuality in front of a world-wide audience. The bravery it must take to challenge the traditional idea of masculinity is not lost on us! Bad Bunny has continued to weave androgyny into his red-carpet looks and campaign photoshoots, most notably his looks made by Queer, French fashion designer Jacquemus. Way to go Bad Bunny, you are truly a border breaking icon!
Mini-Skirt Glory
I did mention it’s mini-skirt weather, right? Let’s turn the spotlight towards Miu Miu’s FW 2022 collection to see how mini-skirts look hot on literally everyone, regardless of gender. The collection includes pristinely tailored clothing that hints to traditional gender stereotypes but is mix-and-matched on models to create an overall gender-bending effect. Femme neck ties and masc mini-skirts alllll damn day!
Billy Porter Power
How can we talk about non-binary fashion without mentioning one of our personal favorite, Billy Porter? Consistently slaying in breathtaking runway looks, Porter makes us all question our gender identity and personal style. He often breaks down the binary for us, noting how femme clothing actually makes him feel more masculine. We especially love Porter’s 2019 Tony’s red carpet look, a jaw-dropping outfit which was designed by Celestino Couture and was made using up-cycled materials, including the curtain from the hit Broadway musical he starred in, Kinky Boots. Porter subverts ideas of elegant dressing by mixing elements that are both traditionally masculine or feminine. He also questions our culture’s misogynistic double standard of how women can wear pants but men can’t wear dresses, asking “What is masculinity? What does that mean? Women show up every day in pants, but the minute a man wears a dress, the seas part.”
Harris Reed Realness
Our next designer is one who celebrates gender fluidity like we have never seen before! Harris Reed, a 26 year old British-American designer is rocking the fashion world with his androgynous fantastical creations. Reed describes his brand as “romanticism gone nonbinary”. Sam Smith performed at Reed’s 2022 fashion show, amplifying the gayness of Reed’s whole vision. The show was called “60 years a Queen” and was inspired by a 1897 novel of the same name about Queen Victoria. Well, watch out Vicky because we have a new Queen taking over, and he is so much gayer thank god
Pride Fundraising Party
To celebrate Pride month, we are hosting a fundraising event next Saturday, June 17th to benefit the Transgender Center of the Rockies. 20% of our sales from the day will go towards their mission to support local trans and other LGBTQ2S+ individuals. PLUS, we’ll have a DJ from 4p-7p, as well as refreshments, hand drawn temp tats, & a raffle with prizes from local queer artists. Make sure to follow our instagram for updates!
Ok dear Apocapatrons, know that we are always here for all of your #degenderfashion needs and that we work hard to be a brave space for the queer community. We wish you the QUEEREST pride month ever and can’t wait to see all of your Pride #apocafits!
