The Colors of Pride
Happy Pride Month to all! Pride month celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community while also serving as a memoir of the struggles of the community in securing civil rights and justice, both of the present and the past. Pride month also serves as an opportunity to help the LGBTQIA+ community through parades, working with organisations that support this cause, supporting small businesses owned by members of the community, and so on. This year, Jejune magazine has decided to be an ally by creating a list of LGBTQIA+ and Queer-owned businesses that you can support. Read on to know more!
Kirrin Finch is changing the way people are looking at traditional menswear and womenswear designs. The brand’s focus is on creating quality clothing with that perfect fit to elevate comfort and confidence. They believe in not restricting clothing to a specific gender, but trying to challenge gender norms by creating “ menswear” clothing meant to fit female and non binary bodies of all kinds. The brand, whose name is derived from “Georgina Kirrin” from Famous Five and “Scout Finch” from To Kill A Mockingbird, is built on the basic principles of sustainability - ethical factories, sustainable materials, and building a reselling platform.
Price Range: $$-$$$
TomboyX has made their name in the fashion industry for sustainably produced innerwear that transcends gender boundaries and actively works on being size inclusive. The brand’s inception was based on bridging a gap in the industry, and finding a solution to the problem. From fulfilling a need to creating an solution that is reflective of the founders’ emotions, TomboyX was born.
Price Range: $$
Alder New York is doing clean skincare like no other. From ingredients that are backed by science and include plant actives to simple products, the brand stands for all things clean, healthy and balanced. Having been certified to be safe for the planet and your skin, Alder New York ticks the two checkboxes of sustainable skin care - vegan and cruelty free - helping you achieve that ‘Clean Person’ aesthetic!
Price Range: $-$$
Coffee lovers unite! Couplet coffee has a no-drama take on specialty coffee, for all kinds of coffee enthusiasts, which tastes great and is harvested in a sustainable manner. A team of baristas, poets, artists and community builders work together to bring to you coffee that is simply great! Couplet coffee also collaborates with popular artists for limited edition drops, how fun! How cool can non fussy simple specialty coffee with a side of a nice coffee equipment (if you’d like, of course!) be!
Price Range: $$
Diaspora Co. is a spice lover’s haven! The company sources a range of spices directly from India, allowing you to experience a part of the Indian culture. The company invests in regenerative farming practices and ensures to compensate the workforce proportionately (which is almost six times the commodity value, for you business and sustainability fanatics!). Diaspora co. not only sells spices but also tries to embody the heritage of each region and its spice!
Price Range: $-$$
From a twist on traditionally masculine smelling candles, to intimate apparel, to fresh home fragrances, Boy Smells has come a long way! Boy Smells tries to create experiences that are common for everyone, yet unique to each individual person. These experiences are meant to seep into your routines to escape from the daily grind. The brand has also collaborated with various notable entities in other industries, like Kacey Musgraves and Magnolia Bakery, to make their own line of candles and scents.
Price Range: $$-$$$
Nicole Zizi has an interesting take on sustainable fashion! The brand’s epicenter is the creation of genderless streetwear, accessories and home goods using material science. It is much too easy to talk about sustainable fashion brands without actually seeing innovation like that of Nicole Zizi. The brand typically works with denim and various types of organic and certified cottons that do not harm the environment. Keeping in focus the themes of quality, innovation, circularity, progress, and community, Nicole Zizi has something for all streetwear aficionados!
Price Range: $$-$$$
If you’re an ocean person looking for well fitting swimwear, Andie Swim is a match made in heaven! The brand promises a range of designs, in fits you’d love, meant for all bodies! They also have a fun little quiz on their website that helps you nail your choices down to the T! Andie Swim’s sustainability policies include being kinder to the oceans, using recycled materials in the swimsuits and eco packaging, so that you can have your fun sustainable Mamma Mia summer!
Price Range: $$-$$$
Halsey can do more than just sing! Her make up line, About - Face, features a variety of ultra pigmented products, devoid of any harmful chemicals, that are meant to elevate your basic makeup looks. Standing by the brand’s motto of ‘Makeup for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Way’, the music icon has established herself in yet another industry, bringing much needed competition to other existing brands. Multi-dimensional makeup for multi dimensional humans, we’re here for it!
Price Range: $-$$
While this is a just a short list, some light research, and staying active and in touch within your community - to keep an eye out for more such businesses - would help support them, not only during Pride Month, but also throughout the year. Happy Pride!
