From Yves Saint Laurent to Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior, and Alexander McQueen, queer designers have been pushing societies normative boundaries for decades. Paving the way for the next generation of inspirers like LOEWE and Jacquemus, who’ve continued to challenge and encourage others to do the same, celebrating clothing as a tool of self-expression – gender roles be damned.
The brave, creative, and societal-defying efforts of these LGBTQIA+ icons are the reason our industry celebrates diversity, liberation, and representation. But we still have a way to go.
As a brand and business that celebrates diversity in all facets, we put our values into action this Pride Month, investing in the future of fashion with the return of our Pride Grant. An Australian-wide initiative, this year we pledged $15,000 to the tuition of one LGBTQIA+ Creative Industries’ student: Nathalie Coronado Quispe.
A QUT Bachelor of Fashion Design student, Nathalie’s story and talent was one we felt compelled to support. To ensure the industry we know, love, and work in continues to grow at the hands of those who bring new perspectives, new ideas, and new inspiration, we’re excited to announce Nathalie as our 2024 Pride Grant recipient.
About Nathalie:
FROM: QUT (Queensland University Technology)
FIELD OF STUDY: Bachelor of Fashion Design
INSTAGRAM: @coronado.quispe
WHO IS YOUR GREATEST LGBTQIA+ INFLUENCE AND WHY?
My greatest LGBTQIA+ influence is Arca: she is a Venezuelan trans DJ, singer and producer. Growing up, I hardly had any Latina representation let alone one who is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
There is so much homophobia and transphobia all across Latin America where I was born- so to see an openly trans woman become so successful not only in LATAM but internationally is very inspirational.
Her influence in music has completely revolutionised Latin pop, as well as her iconic sense of style and fashion.
She has also modelled for major fashion houses like Mugler- to me, she is probably the most influential figure in my design practice and also daily life.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER WITHIN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES?
As an immigrant, I was always pushed to pursue something in STEM as it’s believed that you can only be successful in a role like a doctor, engineer or lawyer.
Despite having a rich cultural background and coming from a country known for its textiles (Peru), it wasn’t until my last two years of high school when I realised I couldn’t keep living to please my parents and family.
I had always been interested in fashion and had learned to sew from my mother, so I decided to pursue fashion and be my authentic self. This was a very difficult decision, as I was also starting to process my gender and sexuality, which caused a lot of tension in my family.
WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE ON THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AFTER YOU GRADUATE?
I hope to make an impact in the Latin American fashion scene for other Latinx LGBTQIA+ people.
The entire LATAM region is rife with sexism, homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny and “machismo” due to the strong influence of Catholicism. It makes it very difficult and dangerous to be openly queer in an area where there is so much hostility.
I want to have more representation and visibility for any other Latina’s who feel like they have to hide who they are from their family and society. More importantly, I want to use fashion as a way to advocate for same-sex marriage, which is not legal in almost all Latin American countries.
My dream is to be able to get married in my home country which currently isn’t possible.
Read about our 2023 Pride Grant recipient, Blake Sutherland, here.
