It’s the most colorful time of the year. Logos are suddenly ignited in rainbow and the streets of NYC (and may others) seem to come alive as we celebrate all things Pride. But which products make a difference for the LGBTQIA+ community beyond the checkout line? We’re here to help navigate the multicolored waters this June.
You’ve heard the saying seeing life through rose-colored glasses—how about seeing it through rainbow-tinted lenses? Five members of the edCFDA came together to design Pride-inspired eyewear for the second annual edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative that will benefit The TransLatin@ Coalition. Nordstrom created six Pride T-shirts with meaningful slogans like “Drag conquers hate,” and “Y’all means all,” with the promise to donate 100% of their proceeds to the Human Rights Campaign. A percentage of sales for a blush pink Versace bag will go towards Elton John AIDS Foundation to put an end to AIDS stigma.
Whatever your mood, style, or color, we’ve put together a list of brands looking to make a difference beyond splashing some rainbow on the product line. Here’s our pristmatic hewn gift guide that actually gives back.
Calvin Klein & This Is Love Collection
Calvin Klein joined forces with actors Amandla Stenberg and Brandon Flynn for the “This Is Love” collection. Shot by Karim Sadli, the Let It Out campaign celebrates your authentic self and what it means to truly let it out. In tandem with the campaign message, the collection features a rainbow palette across comfy cotton underwear to mix and match. In addition, two limited edition T-shirts were designed in support of ILGA World and Transgender Law Center. In line with our year-round support of the LGBTQIA+ community, Calvin Klein committed over $220,000 to nonprofits, including PFLAG National, and more in 2023.
Versace & Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)
“Pride month is such an important time. We should all be so proud of our amazing LGBTQIA+ community and I am honored to be an ally,” says Donatella Versace in a press release. The storied Italian brand is partnering with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to donate a percentage of sales from the Greca Goddess mini bag. Since the EJAF’s inception in 1992, Versace has been a longstanding supporter of the foundation’s mission to end the AIDS epidemic. This month, the powder pink shoulder bag will do more than just accessorize your look.
Amanda Lepore x Saulo Villela & Equality New York Collection
Designer Saulo Villela collaborated with the one and only Amanda Lepore to create a capsule collection called Equality New York. Championing the LGBTQIA+ community by way of Lepore’s signature red lip and standout looks, proceeds will be donated to notable charities like the Ali Forney Center during Pride month and beyond. The duo will be hosting an exclusive 3-hour pop-up event this month where fans can get their merchandise signed by Lepore. Check back on @equalitynyc for more details, but in the meantime, the collection will be available until the end of August.
Hunter & Unisex BLOOM™ Pride Clog
Marbled in rainbow hues of the Progress Pride Flag, Hunter created a unisex BLOOM™ Pride Clog that exudes pure joy. All 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the brand’s long-standing charity partner Outright International, which works to amplify the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. The clog’s design is environmentally friendly to boot. Meeting the standard EVA designs, the clog consists of algae foam, a revolutionary material helping to reduce the dependency on harmful plastics. The clogs are also available for purchase in the UK, Japan, and Europe.
Kérastase & Pride Limited-Edition L’Huile Original Hair Oil
Embodying beauty within, Kérastase’s classic hair oil features rainbow strokes front and center. The formula is the brand’s best-selling product, revitalizing all hair types with the elixir’s trademark shine. To celebrate Pride, the beauty brand made a $25,000 donation this month to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit devoted to ending suicide among LGBTQIA+ youth by providing free 24/7 crisis counseling.
Converse & Proud To Be Collection
Converse joined forces with Grammy Award-winning and LGBTQIA+ icon Big Freedia to ignite a “Proud To Be” collection celebrating Pride. Members of Converse’s global network of young artists are also featured–including singer/songwriter Eva Westphal, London-based artist Yeliz Aifoglu, multi-disciplinary creative Xavier ‘Internet X’, and photographer OJ. Rejoicing in all styles, each silhouette allows a full spectrum of self-expression. From perfectly chunky heels to classic Chuck Taylor’s, there’s a shoe for everyone. In continuation of Converse’s 2.5M pledge to donate to LGBTQIA+ nonprofits since 2015, this year’s support is going towards It Gets Better Project, The Ali Forney Center, BAGLY (the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth), and The Theater Offensive.
TOMS & The Unity Collection
TOMS’ new Unity collection features best-selling unisex styles splashed with color for Pride. There are ombre marshmallow slides or threaded classic TOMS to fit your rainbow-bright mood. TOMS support of LGBTQIA+ organizations like COLORS, which provides free and unlimited LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health care to young people under 25 years, is a year-long commitment. Every pair of TOMS purchased goes towards funding mental health resources across the board.
edCFDA & Pride Eyewear Initiative
This year, five members of the edCFDA–Blake Kuwahara of Blake Kuwahara Eyewear, Christian Roth of Christian Roth Eyewear, Gai Gherardi of l.a.Eyeworks, Selima Salaun of Selima Optique and Stirling Barrett of Krewe Eyewear–are coming together to launch the 2nd annual edCFDA & Pride Eyewear Initiative. Each of the designers will offer an exclusive sunglass design where a portion of the proceeds will go towards The TransLatin@ Coalition, a non-profit advocating for the needs of TransLatin@s who are immigrants residing in the U.S.
Nordstrom & The Human Rights Campaign
Nordstrom is partnering with the Human Rights Campaign in support of six Pride t-shirt designs available across six regional locations: NYC, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Miami. Each shirt is emblazoned with heartfelt messages like, “Y’all means all” and “Drag conquers hate.” All of the proceeds will go towards HRC, which is the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization. Nordstrom will also be hosting the Big Gay Swap Meet, a multi-vendor market shop supporting local LGBTQIA+ founded brands and vendors at the Nordstrom NYC Men’s store. The market shop will launch on June 15th and run through June 25th.
IKEA & True Colors United
Move over FRAKTA bag, the STORSTOMMA bag is taking over in all its rainbow glory this month. IKEA will be selling the multicolored bags in partnership with True Colors United, an organization whose mission is to provide care for homeless LGBTQIA+ youth. 100% of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the non-profit up to $50K. Turns out durability and style can co-exist!
Mayyur Girotra & AIKYA
Couturier Mayyur Girotra celebrates Pride with his first-ever prêt line, AIKYA. A word meaning unity, the collection exhibits Pride with a fusion of bright colors and a freeing silhouette made with South Asian textiles and techniques. Google and the Indus Google network Employee Resource Groups collaborated with Girotra to kick off celebrations with a runway show inclusive of models from the Pride community. In regards to his playful creations, Girotra said, “I dedicate a love letter to my LGBTQIA+ family through the lens of my craft. From concept to execution, Google team has been strategic partners in building my vision.” The collection will be displayed at Āve, an Indian design collective in Soho with beautiful photographs of members of the LGBTQIA+ community in India.
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