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Create and publish online surveys in minutes, and view results graphically and in real time. SurveyMonkey provides free online questionnaire and survey software.

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Changing the mix of materials can significantly reduce the environmental footprint for brands. For example, replacing conventional cotton with organic cotton can cut the corresponding environmental footprint by one quarter.

Recycled denim is no longer a niche category, as a growing number of mass-market brands make post-consumer recycled cotton jeans accessible on a commercial scale. A 2016 study by H&M found that employing recycled cotton “for the stages up to when the fibre is ready for spinning” reduces climate and water impacts by up to 90%.

Asos.com has partnered with Spanish textile recycler Recover to source post-consumer denim fibres that are mixed with African virgin cotton to create yarns strong enough for respinning. 36 of Mud Jeans’ 40-plus styles are up to 40% post-consumer recycled cotton – twice the industry average. Candiani’s Re-Gen denim comprises 50% Refibra and 50% pre-consumer recycled cotton with no fresh, raw cotton woven into the denim.

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Wrangler's foam-dyeing innovation

The iconic US denim label has announced that it will be introducing a line of jeans in 2019 that will use a breakthrough foam-dyeing process. The Dry Indigo process was developed with Texas Tech University, and is projected to eliminate 99% of the water currently required to make its denim blue.

The first of the foam-dyed fabric will be supplied by the Tejidos Royo mill in Spain, an industry specialist in pioneering innovative environmental processes, and is expected to start shipping to Wrangler by the end of 2018.

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Update slogans and motifs with hand-rendered irregular type, worn textures and sponge or lino-cut looks

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Artistic prints, including hand-drawn, painterly, brushstroke and watercolour, grow by 28% YoY across overall prints and placements. Within this mix, find further newness in minimalist iterations, such as pared-back, hand-drawn illustrations that offer grown-up calm in a season dominated by heavy print and graphics. Utilise as a premium design to lift pieces into smart occasionwear

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With all-over print and pattern increasing season to season, refreshing newness comes from artistic prints (+22%) with minimalist undertones. Look to Jil Sander and Roksanda for inspiration and direction on creating the perfect palette-cleanser for spring

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Do you shop more trend or basics?
Gender nutural?
Size would you expect?
Age?
Price?

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She becomes him, he becomes her. Call this genderless or gender fluidity, this is the strongest aesthetic and cultural trend of our time. It's the choice of those who don't want to be classified in gender categories, the ones who want to wear something without caring if it is made for men or women.

This unstoppable phenomenon, initially launched on the runways, has now landed in the fast fashion business with Ungendered, Zara's new clothing label.

A collection composed by eight pieces, among which shirts, hoodies, shorts, jeans and jogging pants, designed both for the male and female's silhouette. Relaxed items for everyday outfits, all pieces are in basic colours such as white, blue and different shades of grey.

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Zara launches 'Ungendered' The genderless aesthetic goes fast fashion | nss magazine

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She becomes him, he becomes her. Call this genderless or gender fluidity, this is the strongest aesthetic and cultural trend of our time. It's the choice of those who don't want to be classified in gender categories, the ones who want to wear something without caring if it is made for men or women.

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No, Shades of Black is not the sequel to Shades of Grey, but a new gender-neutral brand. Former Diesel Canada chief Joey Adler, who is also a longtime philanthropist, launched it in November with Trey Alligood, a former president and creative director at Gents. The brand offers a functional, 90% gender-neutral collection that is made in Los Angeles. It is produced with custom fabrications such as Japanese silks, lava fabric, Italian leather and suede, comfort stretch denim, ultra-soft French terry and bamboo cotton. The line offers denim pants and jackets, joggers, sweatshirts and hoodies along with bombers, shorts, crops and shirts in black, gray and white. Prices range from $48 to $595.

Here, the founders share their vision of the brand with us.
After spending years working for other parties, why did you start your own business at the beginning of 2017?
Joey Adler (JA): Actually my late husband and I were distributors and licensors for Sergio Valente, we were also official partners of Pepe when it initially launched in 1989 in North America. Other brands to mention are, Avirex securing their licensing for a while during the early '90s, and we secured the licensing and distribution rights for Diesel in 1985-we were the official distributors for the brand until 2006 when we sold part of our company to Diesel and became partners. So in essence, we have a long history of distribution across many lifestyle brands. We put together our own collections over the years, but certainly we had a lot of success when we concentrated on Diesel exclusively, which we were very proud of.

Having Trey as a partner is a wonderful experience as I get to live through the development journey through the eyes of the new generation.
Was this a long-cherished dream that you had pre-planned?
JA: The minute we started brainstorming with Trey and he kept bringing up the idea of a collection focused on a color palette of black, gray and white, I knew he was onto something. I felt I might have a good sense of understanding that the consumer, especially Millennials, were headed towards a less is more mindset.

Trey Alligood (TA): The concept and name has been percolating in my head for some time, I just needed to find the right partner to help me bring it to life.
What was missing in the collections of other brands?
JA: I don't want to say that anything is missing, but I do believe the fashion industry is in flux. Great brands are struggling to find their way; some of it is in the business model which is to some extent outdated. More importantly, retail is changing and the supply chain is changing, which makes it difficult for bigger brands to pivot. Innovation is what's missing. Creating new opportunities and reasons for the consumer to purchase, more importantly the Millennials are looking for brands that are authentic in their values. In today's retail climate, we are completely exposed, there is no concealing, and everything we present as our story must be transparent and truthful and resonate with authenticity.
Why did you launch Shades of Black as a gender-neutral brand?
TA: We started to develop the brand with five or six unisex pieces, and it quickly evolved from there into an entire gender-neutral collection. It just started to come together and naturally progress and grow in that way.

JA: We started out with the belief that less is more meaning exactly that- this was not about making a statement or riding the wave of a political movement we are living in now. Shades of Black is not about leveraging a social dialog, we support all personal freedoms and the inalienable right to every individual living their lives as they feel they want to, as long as they are not hurting anyone. Shades of Black is really about understanding that we could make a collection where couples could travel light and share each other's wardrobe, while still maintaining their masculinity and femininity-we wanted to support this notion that you could mix and match a few pieces sharing clothes while on the go, from day to night
Is the name resemblance to the bestseller Shades of Grey purely coincidental? I was immediately reminded of that.
JA: Purely coincidental. We just thought it was a good brand name for the concept of collection and messaging.
What distinguishes the brand from others? Apart from gender neutrality?
TA: The versatility to have each piece work with another. The collection was created to be worn and layered, you can create so many looks from the line and it works across any gender. Our concept is the idea that you could get dressed in the dark, and come out looking stylish and put together. As an example, you can take three of our tops and two bottoms from the collection and create around 16 different outfits.
What challenges arise for the design of a gender-neutral collection?
TA: The fit and sizing has been the most challenging. You have to fit on so many different shapes and sizes to make sure the product works for everyone.
What do you have to consider regarding silhouette, shapes and material?
TA: You have to take into consideration all of those things. The silhouettes can look completely different depending on how you wear them. Some people like to wear styles that are oversized and others prefer a more fitted silhouette. The beauty is every SOB piece looks great any way you decide to wear it. It all comes down to personal styling.
Can you remember the feeling when you held the first samples in your hand and felt that it was getting serious?
TA: Yes! However, it has always been serious for us from the outset. We're really focused on making SOB a long-term success, we know and understand our audience; we speak to every gender, age and size-for us it's a step in the right direction.

JA: There was one piece that encompasses everything we set out to do; the gender-neutrality, the color and the subtle intricate detailing that Trey created, this piece is the Erin Eyelet Cardigan, this is when I became very excited.
What are some of the key items within the collection?
TA: Some of the key styles to mention are the custom Lava Phoenix Pullover and Leslie Lounge Pant, Jordan Destroyed Grey Denim Jacket, Corey Cut-Off Varsity Jacket, Erin Eyelet Cardigan, Karter Sleeveless Hoody and the Loverboy Jean.
What is your favorite piece in the collection?
TA: That's impossible to say. I genuinely love it all! But if I had to choose one piece it would be between the Lava Phoenix Pullover and the Jordan Destroyed Grey Denim Jacket.
In which stores will the brand be sold?
TA: At the moment we are focused on our site. We're planning on targeting between 10-15 select top retailers for spring '18 and grow organically from there.
You also have been socially extremely active via your foundation for quite a while now. How do you do it all?
JA: For the last 15 years this question has popped up often and I do have to admit that I sleep very little (but that is not the reason). I believe that the only way to achieve anything of value at any scale is to share and collaborate. Share the good and let many people come into the process, and be a part of it. For the longest time I have believed that the future belongs to the collaborator. My late husband used to say: "Better to be short on ideas and long on execution than to be long on ideas and short on executing them." When I look at what we're working hard to achieve here in Venice Beach with the Department of Good and Shades of Black, and the other 20 various partners we are gathering, I cannot stop being in complete awe as to how the universe brings likeminded people together with a shared vision, especially when they're trying to do good.

I am honored to be working with so many brilliant young talented passionate people such as Trey and others whose commitment makes the difference in achieving our collective goals, which are to help change the world while having fun.

Contact:
Shades Of Black
114 Washington Blvd, Suite B
Venice CA 90292
USA
www.ShadesOfBlackLA.com

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Label To Watch: This is the latest genderless brand you should know

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No, Shades of Black is not the sequel to Shades of Grey, but a new gender-neutral brand. Former Diesel Canada chief Joey Adler, who is also a longtime philanthropist, launched it in November with Trey Alligood, a former president and creative director at Gents.

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Clothing companies are aiming to be more inclusive (Supplied)

When you go into most clothing stores, the chances are you'll have two options: to browse the male section, or the female section.

Things are beginning to change, though. Fashion designers are combining men's and women's collections on the runway, parents are pushing to scrap "boys" and "girls" labels on clothing and a number of retailers are defying gender conventions altogether - to cater exclusively for non-binary people.

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The Phluid Project, a new shopping space in New York City which opened in March, is one of the first gender-free stores of its kind. It's not just about buying clothes, but about creating an inclusive shopping experience for non-binary customers.

"There is a paradigm shift that is currently happening in our society," says founder Rob Smith. "Today's young people are leaving behind the traditional roles and structures that constrained generations prior. They are choosing to live a freer and more self-expressive life."

"In many ways, I have created a retail space and community centre I wish I had access to as a young person."

Spaces like the Phluid Project, where customers can sip coffee, chat to others and browse gender-free brands - which are divided by aesthetic - are going to become more common, Smith adds.

"It has become very evident that people need a space which allows you to be yourself, where assumptions are checked at the door and honouring the individual is priority," Smith says.

Crucially, though, gender-free clothing is also about tackling the challenges faced by non-binary people when shopping.

"They may be challenged, or feel worried about being challenged, when shopping in stores that split their clothing by gender, particularly if their external appearance leads staff or other shoppers to believe they fit into a binary gender category," says 26-year-old Nat Saunders, who is non-binary.

"They may also feel uncomfortable choosing which changing rooms to use if those are divided by gender - or, again, worry about being challenged by staff or other shoppers."

Offering genderless shopping is simply about adding another option for people when shopping for clothes - rather than ridding shops of gendered clothing completely.

"Shops which don't separate things out by gender make things easier for some people and don't really affect anyone else," Saunders adds.

"It would be simple to mark clothing with tags to indicate what kind of cut it has and what kind of body shape it will fit. Nobody loses out, and it makes things easier for lots of people - you don't have to worry about people making assumptions about you and judging you for being in the 'wrong' section, for example."

But importantly, gender-free options benefit lots of people, as well as non-binary and gender-fluid people. It creates an easier atmosphere for people to choose clothing that appeals to them with no questions asked - irrespective of gender.

Having more gender fluidity in fashion isn't just about androgynous clothing which fits a certain body shape, too. In 2016, Zara released a collection of gender-neutral clothing but faced criticism for only using thin, white models to promote the line.

This defeats the point of aiming to be more inclusive, says Amy Bender, co-founder of the US-based genderless shopping app RIGit. Instead, it's about taking clothing that might have originally been designed only for a male or only for a female and styling them in a way that can appeal to a wider audience.

"We show the same items on both male and female presenting models," Bender explains. "One of our brands sells these incredible skinny cargo pants, they actually look good on anyone who puts them on. I'm a curvy 5'3" and they fit me amazingly well, and one of our male models is a thin 6'1" and they look incredible on him.

"We believe that any article of clothing should be worn by anyone that likes it."

Removing the gender we often assign to inanimate objects - whether it's sunglasses, a top or jeans - is also important in breaking gender stereotyping too, Bender says.

"When we claim a pair of jeans are women's jeans, we are saying much more than they are simply designed for a woman's body. Clothing that is deemed 'women's clothing' has the connotation of being feminine, sexy, and soft," she says.

"You aren't forced to choose a box that says man or woman before we show you any clothing. For folks who identify as non-binary, or wake up some days identifying with different ends of the gender spectrum, traditional shopping can feel judgemental and anxiety-ridden," Bender says, adding this is something RIGit co-founder April Mellas has struggled with.

"She has always shopped in both the men's and women's departments and it is almost always an uncomfortable experience," Bender says. "Most of the time when she walks into the men's department, the sales associates would ask if she is shopping for her brother, father or boyfriend - her response always came with a hesitation because she didn't want to admit she was shopping for herself."

"The goal behind RIGit is to create a world where any item of clothing can be for any person, where a person can put on clothes that they believe best represents their style and individuality."

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How the rise of genderless shopping is transforming the fashion industry

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When you go into most clothing stores, the chances are you'll have two options: to browse the male section, or the female section. Things are beginning to change, though. Fashion designers are combining men's and women's collections on the runway, parents are pushing to scrap "boys" and "girls" labels on clothing and a number of retailers are defying gender conventions altogether - to cater exclusively for non-binary people.

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Pros and Cons

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PinkNews - Gay news, reviews and comment from the world's most read lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans news service

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International retailers ASOS, River Island and John Lewis are among an increasing number who are introducing new gender-neutral collections.

While on the surface, this is surely a step in the right direction, there are some problems with the new gender-neutral revolution that seems to be taking place within the fashion industry.

The main issue is: the collections themselves are pretty misogynistic.

Baggy t-shirts, loose-fitted hoodies and neutral colours all seem to feature in mainstream gender-neutral collections, but fewer brands seem to be celebrating femininity.

While female models don masculine styles, the male models don't really push many boundaries when it comes to their gender, sticking to the hoodies and shirts normally associated with men.

This decision by retailers to avoid marketing feminine style pushes the notion that only masculine clothing is worth being worn by both genders.

Many trans and non-binary people have expressed frustration with mainstream retailer's interpretation of the term gender-neutral, arguing that while these brands claim to be progressive, they always end up creating clothes designs that er on the masculine end of the spectrum of fashion, thus pushing femininity to the side.

Others argue that retailers are attempting to profit off of LGBT issues without actually doing anything meaningful for the community.

It has long been known that it is more socially acceptable for women to dress in masculine clothing than it is for men to dress in feminine clothing.

If retailers really want to make their brands more inclusive, they should include items from the entire gender spectrum, not just from the masculine side.
Mainstream gender neutral brands
Taking a look at these new gender neutral collections from major retailers, a common theme can be seen. They usually focus on simple styles, baggy fits and neutral colours such as grey and black.

The new River Island collection is described by designer Ashish as "something lazy and a bit dreamy", the clothing within the collection is intended to be "relaxed enough to slouch around the house in, yet stylish enough to be taken out".

While the collection is advertised as gender neutral, the released illustrations showing a woman in a dress and large jumper don't seem to offer much in terms of pushing gender boundaries. Similar styles of clothing for women can be found in their regular collections.
Visit River Island
ZARA

Zara announced their gender-neutral options without much fuss, by simply creating an "Ungendered" section on their website. However, a quick search of this term on their site reveals once again a pretty dull selection of baggy shirts and loose trousers, and no masculine bodies in site.

Zara received some negative backlash for their designs, with shoppers complaining the basic styles were hardly revolutionary.

ASOS

ASOS is the most recent retailer to announce their new gender-neutral collection, teaming up with leading LGBT advocacy organisation GLAAD to deliver a number of unisex items including hoodies and t-shirts.

All items have the word "unity" printed on the front in rainbow colours, with accessory pieces featuring the '&' symbol.

While this is certainly a step in the right direction when it comes to queer representation in the mainstream, the pictures released so far show clothing of a similar vein to other gender neutral collections: jumpers and loose fitting T-shirts.

The androgyny that's coming out of these clothes is usually based on women wearing items typically deemed menswear, but not the other way around.

Of course, the fact that major retailers are seeking to be more inclusive by exploring clothing options outside the binary is a sign of progress.

Visit Asos
Are there any better alternatives?

A number of retailers have taken better steps when it comes to their gender neutral lines, by attempting to actually break down barriers instead of using gender neutral as a buzzword.

JOHN LEWIS

John Lewis recently faced backlash from members of the public after announcing they would do away with "boys" and "girls" sections in their kids clothing range.

The ridiculous categorisation of clothing for boys and girls has long been the way of the world in department stores.

However, John Lewis' is one of the most well-known retailers to make childrenswear gender neutral, doing away with separate areas for boys and girls and replacing labels that say "boys" and "girls" with "Girls & Boys" or "Boys & Girls."

What John Lewis did right was to make their entire range gender neutral, as opposed to only a few items. They still have floral dresses as well as jeans and shirts, but by refusing to label these clothes they are making the point that these clothes are made for everyone.

Speaking on the decision, Caroline Bettis, head of childrenswear at John Lewis, said: "We do not want to reinforce gender stereotypes within our John Lewis collections and instead want to provide greater choice and variety to our customers, so that the parent or child can choose what they would like to wear."

Of course, plenty of members of the public did not take well to John Lewis' move, with Piers Morgan being amongst those to share their views...

Thankfully, other people had more positive reactions to the retailers decision.

A number of LGBT-centered and androgynous brands have emerged in the last few years that I believe take a larger leap when it comes to representing "gender neutral".

Instead of just producing grey jeans and t-shirts, these brands are specifically made for gender non-conforming people and are run by LGBT folk.

GENDER FREE WORLD

Based in London, Gender Free World was born out of the creator's frustration with "the highly gendered world of retail". Instead of the traditional "man" or "woman" labels, Gender Free World offers clothing sizes based off of body shape as opposed to gender.

The store offers three main sizes which fittingly all have gender-neutral names: Alex, Billie and Charlie.

Alex and Billie are made for people with wider hips and bust, and Charlie is designed for people with a more traditionally masculine body shape. Gender Free World offers a range of different items from T-shirts, button ups, hoodies, to hats, kids clothing and other accessories, all designed to fit the person, not the gender.

According to their website, Gender Free World wants people "to be seen as an individual regardless of physical or sexual characteristics" and to celebrate "masculinity and femininity across its spectrum in the spirit of free expression".

WILDFANG

The popular women's fashion brand with a tomboy-chiche style began in 2010 and since then has amassed a large following and has been endorsed by a foray of badass female celebrities and self-described tomboys.

The brand seeks to "liberate menswear", by offering male styles that aren't just t-shirts and sweats. Wildfang offers everything from bowties, button ups and tailored trousers.

Famous musicians Tegan and Sara teamed up with Wildfang recently to create a new line of clothing called "The Future is Fluid". The line features slogan tees, hoodies, jackets and pins and all proceeds will go to the Tegan and Sara Foundation - a foundation dedicated to LGBT+ women.

A video was made for the collection, which featured "20 queer, non-binary and trans individuals who represent non-conformity in their gender identity, expression, sexuality and relationships." The inspiring video encourages people to embrace gender fluidity.

Despite this collection being for a fantastic cause, and certainly more interesting than some other brands, the line itself is still very masc-centred.
Male celebrities embracing womenswear
Some male celebrities have gone beyond the binary when it comes to menswear, providing some hope for the future.

Jaden Smith has been an outspoken advocate of not conforming to gender roles, and at the tender age of 17 he was featured in a womenswear campaign for Louis Vuitton wearing a skirt.

Jaden has worn skirts on other occasions too, and when asked why, he said he was doing it for "future generations".

Other celebs such as Kanye West and Jared Leto have also been seen smashing male stereotypes by wearing skirts.

While it's great to see these celebrities embracing traditionally feminine clothing, we still have a long way to go when it comes to mainstream retailers accepting that feminine clothing is for everyone just as much as masculine clothing is.

Ultimately, moving towards gender neutral clothing is a good thing. But this move needs to be more revolutionary than just selling the same baggy t-shirts and jumpers with a bit of pink of them and calling it gender neutral.

Masculinity and femininity is for everyone, and this should be reflected in gender neutral brands.

Once retailers start celebrating femininity for both sexes as opposed to just celebrating masculinity, then they will really be making some progress.

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Gender Neutral clothing: is it always a good thing? We investigated

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International retailers ASOS, River Island and John Lewis are among an increasing number who are introducing new gender-neutral collections. While on the surface, this is surely a step in the right direction, there are some problems with the new gender-neutral revolution that seems to be taking place within the fashion industry.

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FashionFixDaily.com | Fashion News | Beauty Tips | Shop Our Style

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|Gender neutral fashion is all about diversity, feminism and style. Get the inside knowledge on why High Street Fashion Brands are jumping on this bandwagon!

Article by Fashion Fix Daily guest writer Aleah Kristine.

Eagle-eyed shoppers were quick to spot something different in Zara's new collection on its website. The Independent detailed that some of their clothes are presented by members of both sexes, despite being categorised as belonging to a specific gender. For instance, a coat bearing the Zara Man label also appears on the selection of women's outerwear.

Zara's latest collection is further proof that gender-neutral clothing continues to be a big hit in the fashion world. In fact, some industry experts have said that unisex clothing is not just a trend; it's now the norm in fashion. GQ claim that the right question to ask is not 'Why bend the gender rules?' but rather, 'Why not?' They pointed out that closing the gender gap in fashion is not revolutionary - it's evolutionary. It reflects how modern society is becoming more relaxed in terms of perceptions about gender.

Some even argue that the widening acceptance towards unisex clothes serves as another step for promoting gender equality in general. It comes in light of the fact that gender-neutral clothing provides people with more options for self-expression.

In truth, identity is the main reason why more people are now embracing gender-neutral fashion. The distinctive line that separates the identities, which can be expressed by a man or woman, is now blurred. While it's become more acceptable for women to be seen wearing clothes traditionally associated with men, actresses such as Emma Watson, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston display non-conformity by attending red carpet events in suits. On the other hand, there are men who now wear skirts and dresses even during regular days, with celebrities like Jaden Smith, Kanye West, and David Beckham at the forefront. The daring choices of such personalities help spread the message of gender-neutrality: expressing yourself and not allowing the status quo to dictate who you should be.

The movement has influenced even some of the titans in the industry. Take Part reports that other major fashion labels such as Gucci, Prada, Givenchy, and YSL have included androgynous clothing in their ranges. This initiative, coupled with the celebrities who embrace the style caused a trickle down effect. Other non-high fashion labels, like the streetwear brand American Apparel, are now incorporating the trend as well in the majority of their high-profile clothing ranges.

What's more, unisex clothing is not just limited to adult wear. Fashion retailer John Lewis recently removed the 'Girls' and 'Boys' labels on their children's clothes earlier this year, favouring the more gender-neutral "Girls and Boys" section.

But like Zara, John Lewis is not the first to introduce unisex clothing for children. Kate Pietrasik, the founder of gender-neutral clothing line Tootsa, revealed her reason for starting the children's clothing brand in an interview with the Telegraph. It stemmed from her frustration that there was a clear gender divide in infant wear. "I was dismayed to find baby clothes restricted to pink and blue, and even segregated by gender into separate aisles within the stores," she said. This motivated her to create colourful, age-appropriate, and hard-wearing clothes that kids, regardless of their sex, will enjoy wearing.

Given that the projection is for the continued proliferation of gender-neutral clothing in the future, you can expect bolder clothing ranges to make their way to fashion stores in the months ahead.

Header Image by Tegan & Sara - Shop the collection at Wildfang. Proceeds to the Tegan and Sara Foundation.

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Why High Street Fashion Brands are Going Gender Neutral

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Article by Fashion Fix Daily guest writer Aleah Kristine. Eagle-eyed shoppers were quick to spot something different in Zara's new collection on its website. The Independent detailed that some of their clothes are presented by members of both sexes, despite being categorised as belonging to a specific gender.

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High street fashion targets Gen Z customers with gender neutrality and inclusive sizing

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Gender neutral, inclusive sizing and body positivity are the buzzwords as retailers look to reset the high street for a Gen Z customer. Phoebe Luckhurst reports on a fashion gamechanger

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Two thousand seventeen was the year that fashion brands got political, using their platforms to support organizations fighting the good fight for equality. ASOS is the latest retailer to offer apparel benefitting a worthy cause-and its efforts go beyond putting a slogan on a T-shirt: It teamed up with GLAAD on a gender-neutral capsule collection, with part of the proceeds from each sale benefiting the LGBTQ+ rights organization's Together campaign.

Every item in the collection includes GLAAD's ampersand logo as a symbol of unity, a value the line lives up to by eliminating restrictive gender labels. (This marks the first time ASOS releases product that's specifically marked as gender-neutral.) To match its inclusive messaging, ASOS and GLAAD cast models across the gender-identity and sexuality spectrum to front its campaign, from Richie Shazam to 13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman.

"It's exciting to be a part of the first GLAAD collaboration with a major brand, especially one with such a big reach, like ASOS," Dorfman tells Glamour. The collection aligns with the actor's vision for fashion, one that's more inviting than what shoppers may already see. "I think fashion should always be open, flexible, gender-nonconforming," he explains. "It's important for people who identify as fluid and nonbinary to also have a place to shop that doesn't force them to pick a gender that doesn't feel right."

Despite the gender-inclusive branding and accessible price point (items start at $13 for a ring or necklace), Dorfman did note one area for further improvement in this collection: In future capsules and collaborations, he'd like to see inclusive options for shoppers that aren't rooted in traditionally "masculine" styles, such as skirts and dresses-feedback that other mass retailers that have released gender-neutral clothing have received in the past. All in all, though, it's progress to see a major brand showing its support for customers beyond the traditional categories we see represented in mainstream retail. "Raising awareness globally for marginalized or at-risk groups, funding organizations, and educating their clients" are important steps Dorfman thinks that ASOS has taken with this collection.

See the ASOS x GLAAD collaboration in the gallery, ahead.

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ASOS Just Dropped Its First Gender-Neutral Clothing Line

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Two thousand seventeen was the year that fashion brands got political, using their platforms to support organizations fighting the good fight for equality. ASOS is the latest retailer to offer apparel benefitting a worthy cause-and its efforts go beyond putting a slogan on a T-shirt: It teamed up with GLAAD on a gender-neutral capsule collection, with part of the proceeds from each sale benefiting the LGBTQ+ rights organization's Together campaign.

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ASOS website | Source: Shutterstock

By Bloomberg October 17, 2018 10:01

LONDON, United Kingdom - ASOS, the UK's largest online-only fashion retailer, plans to capture sales from a new generation that doesn't want to be categorised as male or female.

"We look through the eyes of customers," ASOS chief executive officer Nick Beighton said on a call with reporters Wednesday as the company reported stronger-than-expected profit. Members of Generation Z, who are now coming of age, "choose to be free to select their fashion the way they want."

The campaign, titled "Collusion" includes items like a digital-print leopard shirt for £20 ($26) and high-waisted skinny jeans for £15. Many of the items are worn on the site by two models.

ASOS partnered with "influencers" who have thousands of followers on Instagram to help develop and market the line. In its first week of sales in October, it was the No. 4 brand out of 850 ASOS labels, Beighton said, without citing exact figures.
By William Mathis; editors: Eric Pfanner, John Lauerman.

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ASOS Focuses on Growing Its Genderless Offering

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ASOS website | Source: Shutterstock By Bloomberg October 17, 2018 10:01 LONDON, United Kingdom - ASOS, the UK's largest online-only fashion retailer, plans to capture sales from a new generation that doesn't want to be categorised as male or female.

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With fashion being one of the most fun, creative forms of self-expression, now more than ever people are choosing not to dress in clothes that denote their assigned gender at birth. People are beginning to question why, when walking into a shop, the girls section has pink frilly dresses and the boys section has blue shirts with superheroes on, from very early years. The fact there are gendered sections whatsoever. Why should our clothes be gendered, why in an industry brimming with amazing designs by amazing designers, must we be restricted to only wearing clothes that encourage society to put us in gender boxes? These unisex, gender-neutral fashion brands are the answer to that question...
Unisex loos may be popping up here and there and understanding and acceptance of people who identify as gender-neutral or gender-fluid may be better than it was in the past, but there's still a long way to go in the journey to equality, diversity, representation and inclusiveness of all humans, no matter how they identify. The following innovative and exemplary fashion brands are the alternatives in a world of strictly male and female. Their clothes are gender-neutral or gender-fluid, meaning they're for everyone and anyone. Discover them, understand them, love them, and shop from them.

All brands come recommended by those who identify as gender-neutral or gender-fluid.

8 Gender-Neutral Fashion Brands to Know and Love

If you identify as a cis-gender hetero woman who loves stealing your boyfriend's clothes, Agender is the ideal brand for you. The pieces are strong, pulling in both typically masculine and feminine traits but overall, are flawlessly genderless. The Check shorts are perfect for a working day, and the shirts from the SS18 collection are great for layering this winter. Inspired by art collages, the 'UNTITLED' uses screen printing silk screen, PVC press and embroidery. The silhouettes are flattering and elude to the authentic craftsmanship of the designers. Simply put: we want it all. Shop via us.wconcept.com or agender.co.kr

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnqquj_lfK0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Telfar, a unisex clothing line created in New York in 2005, is 'not for you - it's for everyone'. Sold internationally, Telfar's most recent Spring Summer 19 collection was a hit at New York Fashion Week as excited guests saw an unusual runway show that was an audio-visual experience, something founder Telfar Clemens is excellent at producing. On the website, you can find select pieces from the SS18, FW18 and C21 Capsule Collections, including cosy hoodies perfect for winter and high-quality leather belts and shopping bags.

Gender neutrality was forefront at their recent Spring/Summer 19 show, with bold prints such as red and white stripes and a glorious cowhide design that would work on any and all genders. Found in prestige shopping locations across the globe such as Dover Street Market in New York, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, Matches in London alongside Net-A-Porter and Ssense online, Ekhaus Latta designer Mike Eckhaus explains 'we relate to gender identity a little less aggressively. It's less binary and I think that's something we have always felt attuned to.' eckhauslatta.com

Toogood, a beautifully artistic fashion brand created by sisters Faye and Erica Toogood offers sustainable, gender-neutral garments that are inspired by utilitarian workwear. Each collection has a backstory, for example, Collection 003 which highlights the importance of embracing one's individuality and leaving behind conformity and convention. We have our eyes on the Toogood Denim collection, entirely designed and constructed in Britain, using Britain's only selvedge denim fabric and manufactured in a century-old mill in Lancashire before being completed in a London atelier. Buy directly from their website, which doubles as a sort of online art exhibition in itself, or find them in Selfridges in London amongst department stores worldwide. t-o-o-g-o-o-d.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHX6hjlnqm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

For gender-neutral basics ideal for creating a minimalist and stylish capsule wardrobe, look no further than One DNA. The emerging designer based in New York City creates ready-to-wear apparel that suits a multitude of body shapes and sizes. Getting unisex clothing right is notoriously difficult, but One DNA have hit the nail on the head with their clothes that break down the womenswear/menswear barrier without sacrificing its style DNA. onedna.earth

Artist, photographer, film-maker and designer Rad Hourani celebrates neutrality in the form of genderless fashion and in 2007, started the first gender-neutral unisex collection in fashion history. The website welcomes you with undeniably cool pieces including monochrome shirts and jersey turtlenecks, alongside art prints. Invest in the cosy-looking coats in time for winter and treat yourself to the cotton caps for bad hair days. radhourani.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkCvrh5jN2y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Inspired by fashion, music, art and nature, Africa Fashion International Young Designer of the Year in 2014, Rich Mnisi, is a South African based brand showcasing a genderless, contemporary look. The NWA-MULAMULA: MOTHER '18 collection is particularly striking and unique, featuring bold prints, asymmetric hems and flattering shapes that wouldn't look out of place on a red carpet or equally at the pub. Mnisi's clothes are glamorous and modern and just one piece would infuse anyone's wardrobe with enough style to make a statement on any street. richmnisi.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjbuAYDhjTs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

London-based design studio Bethnals are the experts at creating denim that is completely undefined by gender. Inspired by the diverse cultural hub that is London, Bethnals offer comfortable fits that put a contemporary spin on the classic jean staple. Layer on top of the Indigo Max Dungarees, dress up or dress down the Charlie Selvedge jeans and keep warm in the Tommy Borg jacket, all at very reasonable prices. bethnals.com
11 of the Best Sustainable & Ethical Fashion Brands to Know

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8 Gender-Neutral Fashion Brands to Know and Love | Style

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With fashion being one of the most fun, creative forms of self-expression, now more than ever people are choosing not to dress in clothes that denote their assigned gender at birth. People are beginning to question why, when walking into a shop, the girls section has pink frilly dresses and the boys section has blue shirts with superheroes on, from very early years.

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Is The Fashion Industry Really Committed To The Eradication Of Gender-Specific Dressing?

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Would you wear this?" Pierpaolo Piccioli asked me as he slipped into a greige plissé trench coat from his Valentino women's SS19 collection in September. I would. Whether it's fashion's impact on me or an evolving mentality affecting designers, the feeling for 'genderless' fashion has never been stronger than it is now. It ran through the veins of the entire spring/summer 2019 season in Paris, and culminated on closing night in three particularly eye-catching looks at Louis Vuitton: two sharply structured suits and a bomber jacket with a somewhat boxy trouser, styled on short-haired young models.

In an old world you would have called them androgynous, a term so retro it's gone out of style; but more on that later. At Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière was challenging us in the language we are all learning to speak in a public forum more focused on gender identities than ever. Was it menswear? "There was a clear ambiguity, but that was the idea. Sometimes people think when a woman dresses like a man it gives her power, but you can be very vulnerable when you're wearing a suit as a woman," he said post-show.

As it turned out, the first of the three models was a Canadian trans man named Krow, while the second, Jessica Espinosa from Mexico, identifies as female but goes by 'Jay.' The third of the 'men's' looks was modelled by Alyssa, a young woman from Paris. For fashion's tone-setting designers, the new mood for neutralising the gender-specific labels of garments and accessories we've always so blindly accepted is entrenched in the mainstream trans enlightenment currently sweeping through our time.
Read more: 5 Things To Know About Louis Vuitton SS19
At the Maison Margiela show in September, John Galliano debuted Mutiny, his first fragrance for the house; named so, because it stands for a young generation's mutiny against archaic gender codes. "When rules are broken collectively, communities transform into families. Like creativity, scent has no nationality, gender or creed. It speaks a universal language. It is the empathetic sentiment of solidarity through individuality," the Maison said in a statement. Projected on the walls of its Grand Palais venue, short films featured trans female model Teddy Quinlivan and Hanne Gaby Odiele - the female model born intersex and initially raised as male - reflecting on their experiences and views of the world.

Throughout the show - opened by trans model Finn Barrett - Galliano liberally styled staples such as dresses and heels conventionally defined as womenswear on models, whose characteristic read as male, and vice versa. The point, of course, was to erase those gender-specific presumptions, allowing the audience to covet things regardless of their own sex and the labels that would normally be attached to clothes. It followed a Maison Margiela men's presentation in June, which drew on the same values.

Read more: Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2019 Menswear

"I'm exercising the craft of dressmaking. We call it 'men's' and traditionally I've used it for women's, but hey, why not?" Galliano said of that collection. "Pre-ordained conformist ideas of masculinity and femininity..." he paused. "What is masculinity and femininity today? I hope this is a journey to help us discover a new sensuality, a new sexuality, breaking down pre-conceived ideas of what's masculine and what's feminine." In September, Galliano fused his sales showrooms, effectively labelling his entire spring/summer 2019 collection 'unisex.'
Read more: Better Together: Gender-Neutral Beauty
No one said that word, though. Like 'androgyny,' 'unisex' is so retro it actually seems to reflect the antiquation of the old world order that designers are breaking with today.

Clare Waight Keller didn't use any of those terms to describe a Givenchy collection rooted in the idea of man and woman mirroring their wardrobes, nodding instead at the his 'n' hers looks of Lou Reed and Nico during their romance in the 1960s, and introducing a new muse in the shape of Annemarie Schwarzenberg, a stunningly attractive writer, who identified as female but dressed in men's clothing during the 1930s Weimar Republic.

Read more: Givenchy Spring/Summer 2019 Ready-To-Wear Details

In the press notes for Hedi Slimane's first Celine show, we were simply made aware that all "men's looks" would be made available as womenswear. And no comment was made on the boys, who hit Alessandro Michele runway clad in dresses on the opening night of Paris Fashion Week. It seemed natural, not only in the context of the sensory overload that defines his Gucci aesthetic, but in that of the point we're at in fashion now.
Read more: 5 Things To Know About Gucci SS19
At Louis Vuitton, the very idea of women's and menswear has been entirely shaken up after April's arrival of men's designer Virgil Abloh, who has been dressing female celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid in his menswear for the house. (And Ghesquière, of course, was already putting Jaden Smith in his own womenswear in 2016, when he cast him in his womenswear campaign.)

In a fashion industry that has steadily been reorganising itself in recent seasons, with some designers merging their men's and women's shows into co-ed shows, and others quietly ignoring the gender labels of clothes when it comes to celebrity dressing, the spring/summer 2019 shows felt like a resolution of sorts. Regardless of fashion weeks billed as 'men's' or 'women's', the industry is now taking a more determined leap towards the eradication of gender-specific dressing. In a store like Machine-A, in London's Soho, clever shopkeepers are leading the way, merchandising men's and womenswear together so customers don't know what they're looking at. And, as a result, don't think about it.
Read more: JW Anderson Subverts Gender Binaries Once More By Going Co-Ed With His Shows
For a while now, I've found myself switching to the 'women's' side of major online stores if I couldn't find anything interesting on the men's pages, so often filled with uninspiring buys that bear little resemblance to the exuberant collections from which they're derived. While shopping across the gender aisle can pose some inescapable anatomical issues - I mean sizes, not attributes - it's not as if a garment was born male or female.

Now, decades after designers including Jean Paul Gaultier and Dame Vivienne Westwood put men in skirts, it actually feels as if the societal stigmas related to staples such as dresses and heels could finally get broken down, in a great historic synchronisation with the mainstream acceptance and normalisation of gender identities that once seemed foreign to some. When it comes to fashion, we like to tell ourselves that everything has been done before. This moment in time, however, is decidedly ground-breaking. And if it means I can branch into Valentino womenswear, by all means - let the evolution begin.

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Is The Fashion Industry Really Committed To The Eradication Of Gender-Specific Dressing?

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Would you wear this?" Pierpaolo Piccioli asked me as he slipped into a greige plissé trench coat from his Valentino women's SS19 collection in September. I would. Whether it's fashion's impact on me or an evolving mentality affecting designers, the feeling for 'genderless' fashion has never been stronger than it is now.

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LONDON, United Kingdom - Alessandro Michele's womenswear debut for was, by far, the most anticipated show of Milan Fashion Week. How would Michele attempt to re-reinvigorate 's ailing cash cow, after chief executive François-Henri Pinault said in December that the brand needed a fresh point of view and more daring shows?

The answer: bookish, pussy-bow wearing boys and girls, sharing both the runway and the same , shoulder-length locks and cut-glass cheekbones. Indeed, the show eradicated the last vestiges of Gucci's hyper-sexualized era, which had, at times, chimed within Frida Giannini 's vision for the brand. Instead, Michele's outing was a celebration of an aesthetic that transcended gender differences.

Michele is not alone in his exploration of what it means to clothe both sexes in a time when gender stereotypes read as traditional, even archaic. Prada, Givenchy and Saint Laurent have all featured both men and women in their shows, the models and the clothing so similar that 'guess the gender' is fast becoming a favourite fashion week pursuit.

But will genderless work at retail? Are end consumers really ready to retire the gender codes that have dominated the way we dress for centuries and shop alongside each other?

Perhaps not. But there is evidence that change is afoot.

"We get men buying into women's brands such as Céline and we have women buying into the Givenchy men's collection as it has a bigger sweatshirt/tee offer which appeals," noted Lianna Mann, vice president of womenswear, home and jewellery at Lane Crawford.

"For decades, we've carried interesting clothes. Today, we look to Shayne Oliver's Hood By Air and JW Anderson. Ultimately, it is more about beautiful clothes that are rare and special; it is more of a sidebar note that these clothes are stylistically less rigid than what we perceive to conform to a definition of masculine versus feminine," added Tom Kalenderian, executive vice president and general merchandise manager for menswear at Barneys New York. "Certainly, it's not everyone, but someone we all know."

According to a recent report by Trendwatching.com, "People of all ages in all markets are constructing their own identities more freely than ever. As a result, consumption patterns are no longer defined by 'traditional' demographic segments such as age, gender, location, income, family status and more."

"Probably around 30 percent of the total menswear buy is genderless. JW Anderson, , Saint Laurent... It has already changed the way we style products," said Monica Pascarella, chief menswear buyer at Luisa Via Roma. "It definitely changes the concept of 'department' stores. For us, as a concept store, it has less impact, but I think it will be more noticeable as we move forward."

In March, British department store Selfridges is launching Agender, an experiential, gender-neutral pop-up that will span three floors of its Oxford Street flagship and have a presence in its stores in Birmingham and Manchester. "It is something that we have definitely seen coming for a while. It is no secret. It is out there and it is quite zeitgeist-y," said Linda Hewson, creative director of Selfridges.

While the gender-bending runway styles that have grabbed the most headlines generally focus on menswear collections importing feminine styles - be it tennis dresses at or suede skirts at JW Anderson - data collected by Selfridges showed that, when it comes to shopping collections designed for the opposite sex, women are leading the way. "What we have noticed from a retail perspective is a lot of women are shopping on the men's floors," said Hewson.

Agender will include product from a wide cross-section of the store's buy. "The traditional department store model is very much about categories, men's floors and women's floors. We wanted to carve out space throughout them. It is from streetwear right through to avant-garde like Haider [Ackermann] and Yohji [Yamamoto] as well as unisex haute couture from Rad Hourani and Nicopanda by Nicola Formichetti, so what is interesting is the crossing over throughout very different price points and categories," she continued.

Doing away with gender altogether is not without significant challenges, however. "Obviously, sizing doesn't cross over always, and it is one of the things that we have had to talk about a lot. How do we make it really simple for our customers? How do we communicate that a men's medium might be a size 12 or 14?"

One of the biggest challenges Selfridges faced was reimagining the store environment. Freeing a department store of the visual cues that guide customers to where they should shop was a big undertaking, for which the retailer called on Faye , an interior designer who has worked with Hermès, Comme Des Garçons, Kenzo and Alexander McQueen. "I want people to walk into a very neutral space. I am making a series of sculptures that are my take on a mannequin, but they are genderless in form. I managed to convince Selfridges that by bagging all of their product in white canvas, I am removing all visual merchandising, branding and any sense of demographic in terms of gender," said Toogood.

"This is really a practical experiment for us, for a new retail environment and experience," added Hewson. "It could be a retail space in itself in the future. Or is it about making the existing space more open to that? For the first time, the buyers have mixed price points and genders in their buy, so it will be very interesting to see how they take that approach forward when they buy their collections [for the rest of the store]. We have always had these limitations. Maybe that should become much more fluid. Maybe we will start to create departments that are much more about identity and personality."

"It's the future. The lines will continue to blur and there will continue to be less difference between collections," said Luisa Via Roma's Pascarella. "Even men and women's physical appearances are becoming more similar: super thin physiques, thicker, equally groomed eyebrows, barely there makeup for both - the list goes on."

"Retailers will need to change with the consumer, as they have already done outside of fashion," observed Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at market research firm NPD, pointing to the way young people shop for tech accessories and activewear. "Kids and young adults today shop together no matter the gender. This clearly plays into fashion."

But the days of major retailers going genderless, beyond a short-lived pop-up, are still a long way off. "It's not really significant for Lane Crawford," said Mann. "It is not really on our radar," added a spokesperson for US giant Neiman Marcus.

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LONDON, United Kingdom - Alessandro Michele's womenswear debut for was, by far, the most anticipated show of Milan Fashion Week. How would Michele attempt to re-reinvigorate 's ailing cash cow, after chief executive François-Henri Pinault said in December that the brand needed a fresh point of view and more daring shows?