NEW YORK CITY – A collision of Western wear,futuristic aesthetics,and pointed political statements took center stage at a New York City queer fashion show Thursday,as designers showcased collections reflecting resilience and authenticity in a turbulent political climate. The event, featuring brands like Soid Studios and DykeMint, offered a vibrant display of self-expression and a defiant embrace of queer identity.
The show arrives at a moment of heightened concern for LGBTQ+ rights, with legislative battles unfolding across the country.Designers and attendees alike emphasized the importance of visibility and unapologetic self-portrayal as a form of resistance. The collections presented weren’t simply about clothing; they were declarations of existence, statements of intent, and celebrations of a community navigating an increasingly complex political landscape.
Arrietty, Jace Elijah Stewart, and Jari Jones walked the runway for soid studios, embodying the show’s spirit of bold individuality. “I have chosen to be loved out loud.I have chosen to not dilute myself in a way that lets people digest me,” Arrietty said. “You don’t have to bend to get ahead in this world. you can absolutely be authentic and absolutely be genuine and still be successful.”
Fi Black, founder of dykemint, offered a different kind of advice for navigating the current political climate: “Marry your first love. Get your first divorce.” Black and their wife, Lita Bacus, who now co-runs the brand, recently wed in April while simultaneously designing their “Butches Contain Multitudes” collection. The runway featured collaged elements, shining colors, vibrant beading, and recycled materials.
“Butchness gives a different perspective of masculinity, like color and texture, and it’s dyke minted, minted by dykes,” Black explained.”With Butches contain Multitudes, we have all of this storytelling through texture, color and composition. There’s no real through line, as it’s about finding the clothes and then seeing if we’re going to subvert this history or are we going to expand upon it.”
Bacus added a succinct summation of the event’s underlying message: “Fashion is political.Queerness is political,and joy is political.”
