It wasn't long ago that Calvin Klein released their first collection of Pride-themed jockstraps. It was 2019 in fact, and the brand dropped a limited edition 5-pack assortment of jockstraps. Each was monochromatic and together they composed various colors of the Pride flag. Since, other brands have also gotten in on the game. Last year, Versace dropped their own jockstrap, this one with a rainbow waistband as a part of their Pride collection. Now comes Balenciaga.
First previewed in the brand's Pre-Fall 2021 collection, Balenciaga is releasing a capsule range this June for Pride. Available in select stores and online, it includes baseball caps, shirts, hoodies, underwear, party bracelets, and more. There's even a magnetic metal pride brooch. And yes, there's also a jockstrap with a rainbow waistband.
" I'm gay. I grew up in a society where I couldn't have worn that, and there are places in the world that you cannot today," the brand's creative director Demna Gvasalia told Vogue back when the pre-fall collection debuted. Gvasalia grew up in Georgia, a country where in 2019, hundreds stormed and attempting to prevent the screening of a gay film. "It's important to push through against homophobia. I'm not someone who goes out in the street and shouts. But this is the political fashion activism I can do."
In lieu of particularly thought-provoking designs, Gvasalia opted instead for simply printing "gay" on the pieces, much like merch collections. 15% of sales will be donated to The Trevor Project.
