Equality Trend Week is again and can happen from Wednesday to Could 19 in Los Angeles.
The inclusive occasion was based by Nik Kacy of NiK Kacy Footwear and took a hiatus throughout 2020 as a result of pandemic, however Kacy continued her work elevating funds together with her Queer Promenade occasions in 2022 and 2023.
“I by no means acquired to go to promenade, so it was for all of the folks like me who couldn't go as ourselves. After Queer Promenade final yr, I started the arduous activity of opening casting requires fashions and elevating funds for EFW,” Kacy stated. Kacy acquired over 150 purposes to take part on this yr's honest.
Timed to coincide with AAPI Heritage Month and as a precursor to Pleasure Month, EFW will characteristic an intersection of queer and AAPI identities. As the primary LGBTQIA+ vogue week in Los Angeles, Kacy says EFW's mission goes deeper than showcasing expertise; and goals to interrupt down limitations and foster unity throughout the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, significantly amongst underrepresented members of the queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and other people of shade communities.
Kacy teamed up with Lodge Ziggy and The West Hollywood Version to current EFW. “For me, regardless of going by means of large difficulties elevating funds to host such a extremely produced occasion, it’s vitally vital to proceed creating inclusive and various occasions like these to point out illustration to people who find themselves so underrepresented,” Kacy stated. .
Manufacturers that can be featured embody Dapper Boi, Origami Customs, Sharpe Suiting and Adolfo Sanchez, from Netflix's “Subsequent in Trend.” Traditionally, runway reveals are the centerpiece of vogue weeks, however Kacy sees her occasion as one thing greater: “Conventional vogue weeks focus solely on runway vogue as a result of they’ve entry to consumers and retailers. LGBTQ+ vogue manufacturers are sometimes small companies created to supply options to underrepresentation. “We use our financial savings and crowdfunding to create these small productions, as LGBTQ+ folks have little or no entry to funding and capital.”
Kacy may also be bringing again “Queer Market” occasions, the place you should buy items proven on the occasion, offering the chance to study extra in regards to the taking part designers, “in addition to help different native queer small companies who’ve joined as distributors.” , Kacy stated. This yr, they’re partnering with The Queer Mercado for the market, which may have over 100 distributors on Saturday and 30 distributors on the closing get together that Sunday.
This yr's occasion may also characteristic an academic element, known as the E3 2024 summit, which stands for educate, enrich and empower. “One factor I noticed during the last two years of planning for the EFW was that it was nonetheless lacking an training element, particularly after the pandemic. Many in our neighborhood and past have been struggling. From psychological well being and habit to monetary well-being, queer elder points and legacies, cybersecurity and know-how, entrepreneurship and queer intersectionalities,” Kacy stated. “I hope that individuals, whether or not queer or allies, will take the time to return study and take heed to a really various vary of figures and specialists.”
“Once I created Equality Trend Week and my vogue model, NiK Kacy Footwear, it was at all times about equality for all folks, and meaning inclusion, not division. There may be nothing like this occasion within the nation proper now and I hope it helps get extra folks concerned,” Kacy stated.