When Section 377 was decriminalised in India, after years of activism and fighting for their rights, the LGBTQ+ Community was able to creatively express themselves. Artists, designers and performers could embrace their diverse gender identities and sexualities. This is around the same time that gender-agnostic fashion started rising and has not stopped since then. Technicolour prints, brand language or tech-first minimalism, more young creatives have challenged societal norms through their sartorial collections.
Gagged
The founder from Ghaziabad, Ruraksh Rawat, founded Gagged in 2022 to make fashion free from gender and sexual orientation. This designer takes most of his inspiration from the lush colours of nature and the aesthetics of romance, this is also unique in that each piece is custom-made and painted making every style a true exception of art. From canvas, tote bags with expansive palm trees or button-down shirts reminding one of the seaside, sun and waters.
Vulgar
Enthralled by the powerful visuals and movement of fabrics, designer Akshay Sharma began their clothing label Vulgar at the end of 2021. It basically aims at challenging preconceived notions of what it actually means to be vulgar. Their gender-neutral clothing includes bodycon dresses with detachable gloved sleeves, technicolour shirts printed with orgasm-inspired artwork, euphoric cutout denim and hot pink leather thongs. These pieces are all short on diverse models of varying height, size and colour.
Subculture
This Jaipur-based designer Randhir Singh takes his inspiration from eroticism rooted in Indian culture from generations past and brings it to the forefront to celebrate fetishes through fashion. All these pieces have been handcrafted and made into experimental leather pieces such as buckle corsets, love lock studded chokers, pastel pink harnesses and suspenders as well as cheeky jockstraps, handcuffs and cat-eyed masks. Their brand openly supports kink and expression through their leather pieces.
Rainbow Monkey
Designer Priyal Thakkar’s clothing line is straight inspired by a Pinterest post and has derived its inspiration from it. Chromatic colours of the rainbow have been used in each clothing item making it appear like a colourful and vibrant rainbow. It has a vintage silhouette and an additional look to it. From patchwork midi-dresses, oversized button-down shirts and more coordination sets for adults to scribbled-inspired outfits for kids, this Ahmedabad-based brand represents gender-free- playful fashion.
Shared By : Sahana Sridhar
Author’s Bio :
Hi my name is Sahana Sridhar! I love eating and travelling to different places and am always ready for new cuisines. Most times I enjoy being at exhibitions and handicrafts draw my attention and since I love photography, I prefer clicking anything ranging from food to travel to animals. Also, a big-time dog and cat lover.
