Looking back on LGBTQ+ history month, GUCFS would like to reflect on the strong influence that the LGBTQ+ community have on the fashion industry. We were delighted to speak to Omar Bayoumi, designer and founder of his own genderless label, and Fran Dunaway, founder and CEO of Tomboyx, a high quality apparel brand that is both trans and size inclusive. We asked them a few questions regarding LGBTQ+ influences on the fashion industry and spoke to them about how inclusivity can be improved.
What inspired you to adopt an LGBTQ+ inclusive format for your brand?
Omar: The story behind the brand begins with my curiosity of my ancestral roots, having my paternal side from Egypt. Thus, the inspiration behind the visual concept is a fine blend between architecture, antiquity and geometry. The motif is a perfect triangle that represents the base trinities of human essence: mind, body and spirit; past, present and future; creation, preservation and destruction. Thus, the inspiration behind adopting an LGBTQ+ inclusive format is represented by the triangle motif. As the base trinities of human essence represent both the physical and spiritual aspects of humanity, I decided that should be the only element to be taken into consideration when designing.
Fran: Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, it was a no brainer to being inclusive. I know first hand what it’s like not to be included or ’seen’ by the fashion industry and wanted to do things differently. We launched the company thinking about inclusivity, not only of sexuality but of size as well. Why should you have to pay more or shop in a ’special’ section of the store just because you are larger bodied? We also wanted to challenge the notion of brands having the secret sauce to make you ‘cool’. We think you’re cool just the way you are and we celebrate you.
Do you think LGBTQ+ creatives play a large role in the fashion industry?
Omar: Since its founding, the LGBTQ+ community has significantly evolved and people that identify within, have managed to make their voices heard. So yes, LGBTQ+ creatives are playing a huge role in raising awareness about the importance of inclusivity and visibility in fashion. Earth is not what it used to be as humans have evolved, passing the summit of human intellectual potential, where sexuality and sexual orientation can be observed from a spectrum. One soul can live in a body where they don’t feel comfortable with, or can just be more than the physical definition of simply male/female. Without the LGBTQ+ community, this evolution would not have taken place.
Furthermore, LGBTQ+ designers, photographers, makeup artists and all creatives in general have contributed to the easing of gender fluidity in fashion, meaning that with their help, the word “unisex” increases its significance. The community has also changed the meaning of “freedom”, having a massive impact on how one expresses themselves through fashion, the technique and procedure in which colours and prints are manoeuvred , and the way freedom is used to express and surpass the conventional.
Did any of your personal experiences influence the image you had for your brand?
Fran: Absolutely! We wouldn’t have started this company had I not been frustrated by the lack of decent button up shirts for women. Turns out the shirts did well but what our customers were most craving was comfortable underwear. So, we obliged. And today we also carry sleepwear, loungewear, swimwear and soon, active wear.
Do you think there is room for improvement in the fashion industry in terms of accommodating for the LGBTQ+ community?
Omar: I believe that nowadays people are more aware of the importance of inclusivity and visibility among the fashion industry and all businesses that are working with consumer goods. The only way in which I can see ways of improvement, is for most fast-fashion and high-street brands to include other categories of fashion, other than menswear and womenswear. In my opinion, these are the two forever most acknowledged categories, and for some it won’t be enough, but might make one feel neglected. Furthermore, I believe that in order to be more inclusive and progressive, we need more diversity in fashion, being more than just a marketing strategy that profits off Pride Month. Brands that haven’t been fully supportive of gender fluidity should do so, and with all due respect towards the massive advertising campaigns happening during the Pride Month, an all-year round approach should be embraced, as inclusivity should forever be celebrated.
Fran: I think the fashion industry is changing as they realize there that the beauty standards are changing and as individuality is seen as the ultimate expression of beauty. We need to show more people who fall outside of the so called ’norm’. It takes all kinds to make this world a thing of wonder and beauty. Let’s show all of it!
Why do you think it is important for brands to create an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ people?
Omar: Without LGBTQ+, the creativity and the freedom of the fashion industry today wouldn’t have been the same. It is important to create an inclusive environment for everyone, nonetheless LGBTQ+. Everyone should feel loved, regardless of their sexuality, social class, religion or political beliefs. The inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community is essential for supporting people equality, as well as the equal market options for all people. I stand by my original statement that we are all souls, living in bodies that we are blessed to have. Omar Bayoumi creates clothes for the souls. I believe everyone should be able to feel love, and it is our generation’s duty to speak out about the importance of gender equality.
Fran: I think it’s important for humanity to find ways to connect and lift one another up. Divisiveness is so prevalent and so damaging. And if you think about it, fashion has been a part of promoting perfection, symmetric beauty standards, size standards and essentially pointing out the fact that we are all so imperfect that we should buy their product and aspire for such privilege. Now, they cause models to starve themselves and photoshop any perceived imperfections, all to try to sell us their latest fragrance or uncomfortable shoes. We gay people have known a long time that we have a right to be seen and heard and we started celebrating all of our imperfections and diversity in Pride Parades around the world. And what a glorious celebration to be a part of. We need to spread some of that rainbow magic all over the world!
There is much room for improvement in the fashion industry in terms of LGBTQ+ representation and creating an environment that is trans and queer inclusive. It is simultaneously undeniable that the LGBTQ+ community have been at the forefront of the fashion industry for a long time and they will be for years to come.
We would like to thank Omar and Fran for their insights on this topic and we hope you check out @thegenderlesslabel and @tomboyx on Instagram. These brands embody inclusivity and are suitable for all genders, sexualities and sizes!
Kim Farren (she/her) - Vice President GUCFS 2021