Fashion is an instrument for expression and experimentation – and who better an example of that than the queer community? We have them to thank for most of the trends that we see come through the decades.
So next time you’re feeling spendy and want an excuse, you can peruse and shop these queer-owned and/or inclusive NZ brands under the guise of ‘supporting local.’ Dog-ear this page, would ya?
Infamy Apparel:
Amy Lautogo started Infamy Apparel in 2019, a brand dedicated to fat advocacy through fashion, and in their words, ‘decolonising fat fashion one garment at a time.’
Based out of Tāmaki Makaurau, Infamy can do custom designs made for you or have ready-to-wear designs too! The designs are unapologetic, bold and funky with Amy being motivated primarily by her mood and senses. Any brand that has a story and principles behind the clothes has my heart.
She’s taking a break for now, but when she’s back…. *slams card on table*
Papa Clothing:
This Pacific-run clothing label sucked me in with its focus on natural materials, sustainable values, and emphasis on mending and repairing your clothes (a sustainable fashion girlies wet dream). The diversity of their customer base tells all, ranging across age, size, gender, and culture. Papa clothing’s silhouettes are easy to wear for anyone.
‘Inclusivity to us means amplifying the beauty of those that are often marginalized by the fashion industry, especially those within the queer and Pasifika communities that the Papa brand has roots in.’
They are mostly made to order, but some pieces are available to be shipped out ASAP.
I Want Fluff:
Run by Azure Sky Elis, I Want Fluff is a jewellery brand based out of Christchurch.
All handmade to order with a huge range of goodies to choose from (like seriously, just doing research for this article almost had me adding to cart many a time).
Creating badges, necklaces, earrings, mirrors, and even portraits, this gal has you covered for cute, queer, and unique pieces to adorn your body or home with.
Her ‘not today coloniser,’ ‘land back,’ ‘spread your legs not covid,’ and pronoun dangly kupu earrings are personal faves. (Is it still considered a fave if there’s more than one?)
Agnes and Edie:
After feeling frustrated with the lack of suitable NZ-made binders, Margot founded Agnes and Edie. This queer-owned and-run Aotearoa boutique is full to the brim with accessories, clothing, books, and gender-affirming and queer-affirming products.
Based in the North Island, it’s your one-stop-shop for information, education, and accessible help.
It’s bloody hard out there, so all of Agnes & Edie’s gender-affirming wear is sold as close to cost-price as possible to minimize how spendy it is to source gender-affirming products for the New Zealand queer community.
If this sounds like a bitta you, and you have any questions, flick them a message – no matter how big or small they’ve gotcha back.
