Words: Sacha Dance
With Pride month kicking off in the US this June and with a summer of (hopefully) in-person celebrations planned, we’re more excited than ever to don our rainbow threads, throw on some glitter and make our voices heard.
With more brands than ever releasing Pride collections, it can be hard to tell which ones are actually putting their money where their mouth is and giving back to the LGBTQ community.
Here’s our pick of the best Pride ranges that you can wear this year safe in the knowledge that your fashion choices are supporting those most in need, including Vans, Dr Martens, Levi’s, Allsaints and more.
ARTY EXPRESSION – £9-£39
Co-created by GLSEN Student Activists, Hollister’s entirely gender-neutral collection was designed to engage with those who are most proud to be their powerful selves. Hollister is donating $250,000 to GLSEN to support their mission of working to make schools safe and inclusive for all students, adding to the $3 million that Hollister and GLSEN have already raised together.
Available at hollisterco.com (payable through Klarna)
JUST IN TIME FOR PRIDE – £69 (watch case) £19 (individual straps)
This year, Fossil is partnering with The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth. The brand has pledged to make a minimum donation of $25,000 to the organisation. Their Pride collection features a 40mm watch case and a choice of ten brightly coloured straps including the Pride and transgender flags.
Available at fossil.com
A CLASSIC WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PRIDE – £119
Self-expression is synonymous with Dr Martens: Every year the brand supports the Pride movement by donating to akt, the LGBTQ youth homelessness charity. The brand also annually donates to the Trevor Project and have stepped up to commit a $100,000 donation and year-round partnership to help share resources to those in need. Their Pride collection features an amazing pair of their classic 1461 smooth leather shoes with rainbow flag embroidery and a rainbow lace heel hoop.
Available at drmartens.com (payable through Klarna)
EMBRACE TOGETHERNESS – £18 – £78
Abercrombie & Fitch proudly present the 2021 Gender Inclusive Pride Collection. The brand is donating $200,000 to The Trevor Project, which is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organisation for LGBTQ youth.
Available at abercrombie.com (payable through Klarna)
SPLASH OF COLOUR
£10 from every sale of AllSaints’ Pride collection this year will be being donated to Kaleidoscope Trust. This UK-based charity focuses on fighting for the human rights of LGBTQ people across the Commonwealth. They fund, fight and empower by working with governments, change-makers and civil society organisations that impact the lives of LGBTQ people everywhere.
Available soon at allsaints.com (Payable through Klarna)
ALL PRONOUNS, ALL LOVE – £10 – £120
Levi’s 2021 collection features a unisex range of modern styles inspired by Levi’s classics, including a rainbow graphic inspired by the waving of the rainbow flag of the Castro District in San Francisco. Levi’s will continue to support the LGBTQIA community by partnering with OutRight Action International. This organisation works to advance the rights of LGBTQ people all over the world.
Available at levi.co.uk (payable through Klarna)
LOVE WINS – £44
Choose from three fabulous styles in TOMS’ amazing Pride collection. The iconic everyday slip-on has been artistically covered in Pride quotes, all in the name of love. With every TOMS purchase, you help to support grassroots organisations like Brave Trails, which is a leadership-focused summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth.
Available at toms.com (payable through Klarna)
RAINBOW HEAVEN
Primark have partnered with charity IGLA on this fun and accessible Pride collection. They will be donating £250k to the charity.
Available in Primark stores
ALL STARS COMMUNITY – £20 – £90
This year, a portion of the LGBTQ community funding from Converse’s ongoing partnership with the It Gets Better Project will support IGBT’s storytelling and education initiatives on TikTok and Twitch. This will empower younger LGBTQIA+ people to realise and fearlessly pursue their greatest potential. In addition to this, annual grants to support youths have been announced alongside the collection.
Available at converse.com
ALL TYPES OF LOVE
Reebok’s 2021 Pride collection was designed by Reebok’s LGBTQIA+ employee community, Colourful Soles. They have partnered with Iconic Ballroom House of Ninja to pay homage to ballroom culture. The unisex footwear and apparel collections are heavily inspired by the Pride flag, and include kids’ and infant ranges. As well as this, Reebok are donating $75,000 to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.
Available soon at reebok.co.uk (payable through Klarna)
COLOURFUL CHECKS – £12 – £95
In honour of Pride month, Vault by Vans celebrates the message of ‘Together As Ourselves’, with elevated footwear featuring woven nubuck leather in a rainbow colourway. Vans will be donating $200,000 to GLSEN, Casa 1, Where Love is Illegal and Tokyo Rainbow Pride.
Available at vans.co.uk
