Despite being the first Black trans woman designer to show at NYFW in February 2019, No Sesso founder Pierre Davis is far from finished with her mission to break the fashion industry's glass ceiling. A self-described "transgressive fashion designer," she is not only a recognizable figure in her home city of Los Angeles, but has already paved the way for many other LGBTQIA+ designers to follow suit.
No Sesso's ethos is simple: to challenge the norm and uplift the people it serves. They're a community-powered brand that embraces and celebrates people of all colors, shapes and sizes.
Their collections are bursting with prints, fabrics and reconstructs that aspire to break the mold of traditional fashion and challenge the way we think about the world around us. Their designs are inspired by people's lives, and their collection includes clothes for women, men, and children of all shapes, sizes, and gender identities.
Upcycling and thrifting have always been important to the fashion world, but they're increasingly becoming a staple in queer fashion. Gogo Graham makes all her clothing out of recycled thrift materials, and Diego Montoya uses reclaimed thrift materials to create his art pieces and dresses for gay performers.
Then there's Jannike Sommar, a lesbian fashion designer who ditches the traditional heteronormative approach to her designs and is all about bold colors and innovative patterns. She's also working to promote inclusivity in the fashion industry by including queer models at her runway shows and using sustainable fabrics for her apparel.
Another queer designer that's changing the game in the fashion world is Automic Gold, a jewelry brand that incorporates reclaimed gold into their pieces. They're also recyclable and have a variety of options to choose from.
While upcycling has been a major trend in the fashion industry, it's especially important for QTPOC (queer, trans, and POC) designers to take a look at their own wardrobes to see what they can recycle. This will not only help to reduce the waste created by creating new pieces, but will also inspire them to create more repurposed pieces that they can sell.
This is a great way to get into the fashion game and to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community! You'll find everything from handbags to t-shirts, and even a pride-themed swim collection.
With their Spring/Summer 2020 line now available, No Sesso is aiming to continue challenging the way we see ourselves in the fashion industry. They're collaborating with an array of queer-owned businesses and are working to make their collections more accessible to their community.
A sexy, sensual look is the signature of No Sesso, and their upcoming couture collection is no exception. With a lineup that includes dresses crafted out of metal pearls, asymmetrical sportswear and an assortment of dresses that are sure to have everyone's heads spinning.
No Sesso's latest collection is full of pieces that are both fun and practical, making it easy to see how their work has shifted the conversation around diversity in the fashion industry. The label's most recognizable piece is their smiley tee, which has been selling out everywhere since it debuted on the No Sesso FW19 runway.
