As pride month approaches, brands are already launching their celebratory collections. From subtle sneakers to rainbow-tagged underwear, there’s no shortage of ways to express your support of the LGBTQIA+ community. So check out these five brands’ 2021 pride collections to cop from to embrace pride. By the way, each of these brands are working closely with initiatives, organizations and charities to create a better life for the queer community, so as a consumer, you really are changing lives.
CONVERSE
To launch their 6th annual pride collection, Converse tapped five creatives part of the global All Stars community which include Caleb, Rocio, Tereza Ty and Xandro. Inspired by their own personal stories. Together, they have created a capsule titled ‘Love Without Barriers’ which celebrates joy and identity, as well as the struggles on the journey to self-love. The collection includes graphic sliders as well as high-top and low-top sneakers. In addition, Converse is partnering with long-time collaborator It Gets Better Project in order to empower the community through educational storytelling on TikTok and Twitch. Converse will also donate its annual grants to Ali Forney Center, BAGLY and OUT MetroWest, organizations all dedicated to helping the LGBTQ+ youth.
LEVI’S
As a love letter to the community, Levi’s has launched their ‘All Pronouns, All Love’ collection which features a range of unisex items. The denim brand revisits their classic jeans, which features a new rainbow graphic, as well as creating graphic tees, a tank top, sport bra and accessories. The highlight of the collection is their Liberation Trucker Jacket, which reads “they/them, she/her, he/him, we” on its back. Levi’s is also donating 100% of all net proceeds to Outright Action International, an organization which seeks to advance the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide.
DR MARTENS
A long time symbol of rebellion, resilience and self-expression, Dr Martens have always been popular within the LGBTQIA+ community. For pride 2021, the footwear brand has launched a one-off shoe which features a rainbow flag embroidery heel loop and laces as well as a stitching through the uppers. Just like previous years, Dr Martens will donate $100,000 to two queer-focused chairties; akt, a youth homelessness charity and The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organisation.
BALENCIAGA
Balenciaga goes skimpy for pride 2021. Offering thongs, jockstraps, boxers and bras all emblazoned with the symbolic rainbow, the collection is unapologetically proud. The capsule also offers more subtle options, such as baseball caps, t-shirts and hoodies with “GAY” printed in varsity letters – maybe not so subtle after all. Creative director Demna Gvasalia told Vogue “It’s important to push through against homophobia. I’m not someone who goes out in the street and shouts. But this is the political fashion activism I can do“. In addition, Balenciaga will donate 15% of all its sales from the Pride capsule to The Trevor Project, in order to support the community.
ADIDAS
Adidas revisits its Forum Low and Nizza shoe, this time with a DIY-inspired colourful twist in celebration of pride month. Floral embroidery can be seen on the Forum Lows as well as a “Love Unites” message on the lateral heel. The Nizza sneaker embraces a rainbow colourblock and features ‘Love’ embroidered on its upper. In addition, adidas has also released a range of clothing, from tracksuits to socks, tees, shorts and just about anything you would need to attend a pride parade. The sportswear giant will also be making its annual donations to Athlete Ally and Stonewall in order to promote inclusion worldwide within the sports community.
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