June 9, 2021
The Most Fabulous, Over-the-Top Pride Shopping List EVER!
Andrew Villagomez READ TIME: 7 MIN.
Curated by Andrew Villagomez, written by Matthew Wexler.
Who said, "less is more"? Nobody who's ever marched in a Pride parade, attended an LGBTQ festival or demanded equality at a social activism rally. June kicks off a season of celebration, and as we emerge from a pandemic hibernation, queer folk are ready to strut their stuff in rainbow colors first conceived by artist Gilbert Baker as a representation of our community.
Baker's flag has seen variations emerge over the decades as our community takes ownership and pride in all our beautiful forms of self-expression and identity, from gender-fluid and bisexual to our transgender brothers and sisters. Brands worldwide have also embraced the LGBTQ community, partnering with organizations and nonprofits to further the services that reach our most vulnerable populations by creating queer-specific products and capsule collections. Sure, who doesn't love rainbows and rhinestones? But their commitment to the causes that further equality for all is what Pride is really about.
Here's a look at some of our Pride collections for 2021.
FASHION-FORWARD
UGG
If you think UGG is all about cozy winter boots, think again. The brand's 2021 campaign, "Proud Prom," in partnership with the Pacific Pride Foundation and GLAAD, showcases Lil Nas X, Hari Nef, Maya Samaha and Jordun Love in a limited-edition collection. Our top pick is the all-gender Highland Hi Cali Collage hiker-sneaker. ($120)
New Balance
Run, don't walk to discover New Balance's Pride 2021 collection, "Everybody's Welcome," created in collaboration with queer Hong Kong visual artist Zoie Lam. The activewear brand will also premier a short film later this month that tells the story of the 40-year-old LGBTQ running group, Front Runners New York. New Balance's charity partner is GLSEN, to which they've committed $100,000 over the next two years.
Skagen
Go global with Danish brand Skagen, which has released two versions of its Aaren Pride Three-Hand Multi-Colored Silicone 41mm watch ($125). The timing couldn't be better – no pun intended – with WorldPride and EuroPride scheduled for Copenhagen this August and travel restrictions lifted for vaccinated U.S. travelers.
DKNY x HMI
DNKY and the Hetrick-Martin Institute partner for the third year in a row, this time featuring a limited-edition "Ask Me About My Pronouns" T-shirt ($49) along with other leisurewear items.
Teva
Take a hike in Teva's new Pride collection, which features two different sandal styles in the brand's signature strappy style. Teva is also donating $35,000 to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. If you're looking for comfort, go for the Original Universal Pride ($50), but if you want to elevate with a multi-inch platform sole, go for the Flatform Universal Rainbow Pride ($70).
K-Swiss x NOH8
K-Swiss's Classic XL gets an iridescent rainbow makeover with a message of "Equality" imprinted on the soles. K-Swiss will also be donating $90,000 of product to NOH8 Campaign, and Foot Locker, Inc. will be contributing an additional $10,000. Available on Kswiss.com, Foot Locker, Champs and Footaction June 16.
Mavi
Originally incorporated in Istanbul in 1991, it's taken this denim brand 30 years to officially celebrate the LGBTQ community, but they've come in big. The "All For Love" gender-fluid Pride Collection will donate 100% of net proceeds (June through August 2021) to the Ali Forney Center and Egale Canada.
FRESHEN UP
Herbivore Botanicals x Trevor Project
Herbivore Botanicals skips the synthetic ingredients, instead relying on Mother Nature. Company founder Julia Wills first envisioned the Prism collection while spending time in Seattle's Volunteer Park, a longtime gathering spot for LGBTQ Pride. One dollar from each sale of the Prism Exfoliating Glow Facial and Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum will be donated to The Trevor Project with a minimum commitment of $75,000
Every Man Jack
Conceived in San Francisco and manufactured in the U.S., Every Man Jack continues to grow. Thanks to a mention by media mogul Oprah Winfrey in 2009, the men's grooming brand is now a household name and can be found in both Target and Whole Foods locations. Its limited-edition Pride Set features four body washes, with 25% of proceeds donated to Rainbow Railroad, which helps LGBTQ people around the world facing oppression and violence.
Beekman 1802
Who knew goat milk grooming products were going to last? Apparently, gay entrepreneur-husbands Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Founded in 2008, the brand has expanded to the HSN and QVC empire, where viewers can binge shop 24/7. Their Goat Milk Pride Collection includes six favorites, or hop over to Ulta.com for a limited-edition Bloom with Pride skincare starter kit with 100% of profits donated to the Ali Forney Center.
NYX Professional Makeup
"Welcome to the ballroom," exclaims NYX's Pride collection landing page, where each year the professional makeup brand gathers a "global network of allies." From glittery liner sticks to icy highlighters, this year's collection offers a color bomb of fun as we emerge from our solitary cocoons. NYX partners year-round with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and will also host
TOA Waters
LGBTQ-owned TOA Waters creates "invigorating scents for bold bathers," enriched with whole milk, B vitamins, calcium and more. Ten percent of sales from the brand's most popular bubble bath, Casanova, will be donated to the Human Rights Campaign. "Being a gay man that started my own small business, I am forever grateful for the individuals who fought and continue to fight for my freedom to live my life in truth and without fear," says TOA Waters founder Javier Folgar.
LET'S HAVE A KIKI
Barefoot Wine
If you've been to a Pride parade or event in the past 30 years, you've likely seen Barefoot Wine – that's how long the budget-friendly winemaker has been an ally to the LGBTQ community. This year, the brand showcases an all-new varietal, Barefoot Bubbly Sweet Rosé, available wrapped in the Pride and transgender flags. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold will directly give back to Free Mom Hugs and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Stagedoor Candle Co.
Ready for company? Caskey Hunsader founded Stagedoor Candle Co. at the height of the pandemic after losing his job as a stage manager on the national tour of "Miss Saigon." The wick has been burning bright ever since, and now the impromptu entrepreneur is lighting up Pride with a six-scent collection inspired by Broadway's favorite LGBTQ characters such as Hedwig (raspberry lemonade scent) from "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Ten percent of sales go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Pottery Barn x Trevor Project
Pottery Barn's latest Pride collection features thoughtfully designed home items that will look great any time of year. The pick stitch quilt will spruce up your bed, while the Pride picnic throw is ideal for outdoor gatherings. Twenty-five percent of the purchase price of each item will benefit The Trevor Project.
Lord Jones
CBD has taken the consumer market by storm. Enter Lord Jones, which began as a small collective in West Hollywood, and is now available online. The Pride hemp-derived CBD gumdrops come in three flavors – pineapple, mango and honeyberry – with 20mg of broad-spectrum, hemp-derived CBD per gumdrop. Fifty percent of profits from each box will be donated to West Hollywood-based LA Pride to support its efforts with PLATform, a policy, leadership, and advocacy training program to support and educate the transgender and non-binary communities on how to engage in activism and policy reform.
Funko
Pride isn't just for grown-ups! Funko creates pop culture collectibles and turns its attention toward several Pride collections this June, including Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Pixar's Wall-E, Marvel's Deadpool, a Star Wars Stormtrooper, and Bob's Burger's Tine Blecher. Funko has made a donation to the It Gets Better Project, while Disney funds 10 different LGBTQ organizations and dozens of rainbow-hued products.
Andrew Villagomez is a journalist and photographer covering travel, men's fashion, grooming and other lifestyle topics. His work has appeared in print and online publications including Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Essential Homme, Delta Sky Magazine, Out, Details, Thrillist and more. He is also runs his own style and travel blog, Vee Travels. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.