While the Pride parades have been canceled this year due to the global pandemic, fashion brands are giving us a way of how we can still celebrate it regardless.
For us Filipinos, the month of June signals our independence. And up to this date, we celebrate this great freedom of ours to express ourselves in many, many ways. It can be through a gala that recognizes the best of Filipino talent such as the MEGA Pinoy Pride Ball, television networks showing historical documentaries of the country, or even doing a peaceful protest to fight for our basic civil rights when our democracy is at stake.
But apart from our independence, we also celebrate another kind of freedom. This time, it’s our freedom to be who we truly are—regardless if you identify yourself as a lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gay, queer, pansexual, or any other gender under the spectrum of the rainbow. And this was only made possible in the modern-day society because of the Stonewall riots back in June 1969.
While the LGBTQIA+ community has already made major strides for inclusivity in many industries, especially in the world of fashion and beauty, there is still a lot of work to be done. True representation and solidarity are still much needed. So, it’s just refreshing to see brands who are doing their part to make the community feel seen, heard, and donate some of its proceeds to various charities supporting the same cause.
Here are 10 fashion brands who have created their own Pride collections. And in case you want something, go ahead, you’re also supporting a cause.
Converse
This year, Converse’s Pride collection is inspired by the “More Color, More Pride” flag, a concept popularized by social justice advocate, Amber Hikes. The capsule collection includes Chuck 70 and Chuck Taylor All-Star low tops and high tops in a rainbow assortment of colors as well as tees, tanks, buckets, and more.
Converse has chosen to continue supporting LGBTQ organizations like the It Gets Better Project, BAGLY, the Ali Forney Center, and Out MetroWest.
Nike
For Pride month, Nike unveiled the BeTrue collection that aims to multi-dimensionally look at LGBTQIA+ representation. And with that goal, they focus on honoring athletes who uplift the community and use their voice for change. “The power of team reminds us that we are stronger in numbers—that when we are united, we are unstoppable,” the brand shares.
The collection showcases its new take on the Nike Air Force 1, the Nike Air Max 2090, and the Nike ACG Air Deschutz sandal. The 2020 BeTrue capsule collection also includes hoodies, cropped tees, bandanas, socks, and more.
This year, Nike celebrates Pride month by supporting more than 20 organizations advancing the LGBTQIA+ community through grants administered by the Charities Aid Foundation of America.
Diesel
Diesel has long held diversity and inclusion as core values of its brand ethos. And given the recent circumstances that are happening in society, the brand expressed its solidarity to oppressed minorities that’s “it’s more important than ever to promote and take action for freedom, fairness, and justice.”
So, for June 2020, Diesel announced its “For Successful Loving” capsule collection to commemorate the Stonewall riots. Its collection features over 49 items including graphic tees, swimwear, bralettes, bikini tops, socks, boxers, jockstraps, beach towels, and more.
Diesel is proud to support the efforts of Transgender Europe (TGEU) and the San Francisco LGBT Center.
TOMS
At TOMS, Pride isn’t just a moment in time. TOMS supports the LGBTQ+ community year-round, helping to provide everything from shoes and sight services to mental health support. So, this June, TOMS introduced its Unity collection that champions unity, compassion, and above all—love.
As part of the collection, the brand outfitted our original Alpargata in limited-edition prints that feature tie-dye, rainbows, and the words “Love is Love.” In addition, three styles of eyewear in the theme of allyship are also featured in gradient lenses and rainbow-colored frames.
TOMS has always been sponsoring the Los Angeles LGBT Center and will continue to do so.
New Balance
New Balance celebrates Pride month with its new rendition of a FuelCell Echo for women. The fun part about the latter is it has this rainbow accents on the inspired by Gilbert Baker’s Pride flag.
The performance-focused FuelCell Echo is almost entirely clad in blue and dons rainbow arrangements throughout its upper and sole unit. There’s also a selection of shirts, including “Run for Love” tank tops and singlets designed for the New York Road Runners.
New Balance has donated $50,000 to GLSEN to ensure all students are valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Puma
Cara Delevingne has collaborated with PUMA on a 13-piece capsule collection, “From Puma With Love,” dedicated to Pride Month this June. It’s actually “inspired by Cara’s passion to show love, hope, and kindness toward one another while also giving back to the LGBTQ+ community and its members,” a statement said.
According to PUMA, the collection is made to be “worn with pride, featuring vibrant colors, rainbow designs, and bold graphics.” The pack also features a waist-bag, rainbow slides, and an array of the rainbow-inspired t-shirts and hoodies.
Puma is donating 20 percent of proceeds to the Cara Delevingne Foundation, which supports LGBTQ organizations.
Adidas
Adidas’ Pride collection is back for 2020. This year, they’ve got some choice silhouettes in the collection, including the Ultraboost S&L, and Nite Jogger. The former is in a simple black & white look with colorful stripes, while the white Nite Jogger with leather overlays in rainbow tones.
The cloud-white NMD_R1 Pride Shoes has a feature responsive cushioning and a rainbow-colored midsole. In addition to these, their iconic logo gets a striking polychromatic makeover in their athleisure wear.
Adidas is making donations to Athlete Ally and Stonewall UK.
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein unveiled its latest collection of Pride clothing featuring reimagine classic styles. Embody the aesthetic of true pride with their denim jacket, which is complete with an iconic rainbow-colored finish.
Alternatively, there are also hoodies that come in modern patchwork styles that radiate color from all angles. For everyday essentials, choose from our range of Pride underwear, available in dynamic pink and yellow hues.
Calvin Klein will be supporting the onePULSE Foundation from this collection.
Kate Spade
This year, Kate Spade decided to create a Pride collection featuring a rainbow-filled capsule collection that includes bags, hoodies, earrings, and more. And the best part about the designs is that it even attempts to evoke pride as the spades have been changed from black to rainbow.
In honor of pride month, Kate Spade will be donating $25,000 to the Trevor project to support the mental well-being of LGBTQI+ youth.
Versace
While other brands are focusing on releasing a shoe or accessory collection, Versace thought of highlighting warm-weather designs and comfortable activewear. It will include tank tops, swimwear, underwear, as well as accessories, such as a bucket hat and socks. All of which are in the understated elegance of the black hue accented with the Versace logo and stripes in a rainbow palette.
Versace has partnered with two charities who will benefit from the collection. In the US, a portion of sales will go to Pride Live, and in Europe, donations will be made to Arcigay.
