Brand: Off-White™
Buy: Off-White™, Farfetch
Editor's Notes: Virgil Abloh is an activist. The Off-White™ founder and Louis Vuitton artistic director has been pushing for industry-wide shifts for years, issuing "mentorships" and clear-minded messaging to further get the word out and perhaps spark change.
Even amidst the frequent OTT aggression lobbied his way, Abloh has found a groove for promoting core values; Off-White™'s latest capsule is further evidence.
As part of Abloh's greater "I Support" series T-shirts — his subtlty-free slogan tees that'd make Katherine Hamnett proud — Off-White™ has launched a two-piece "I Support All Forms of Love" collection, comprising a rainbow-tinged T-shirt and matching industrial belt (both $290).
Though America celebrates Pride Month in June, LGBTQIA History Month is observed in October for various reasons, but primarily to coincide with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
Black LGBTQ-identified activists Aneiry Simonnaeh, Kade Cahe, Uchechukwu Onwa, and frequent Abloh collaborator Trinice McNally star in the corresponding campaign. Several of them also work for and/or with the Transgender Law Center, which is directing all funds from sales of the thematic Off-White ™ goods towards its Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project.
"During this moment of LGBTQIA+ History Month, we honor those who have dedicated their life work to creating a safer space for us all," said Abloh. "It is vital that we continue to work together to continue their legacies in uplifting all persons, and support our peers who are leading the way in this battle."
"With real money at stake, brands can no longer avoid becoming more value-driven," HighSnobiety Editorial Director Christopher Morency recently asserted.
If other brands want to learn how to organically channel these cues, they'd do well to take a page out of Abloh's book.
