This LGBTQ+ Designer Is Speaking Up: "The Fashion Industry Must Take Several Big Seats"

Published on 6/17/2020 at 5:40 PM

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Ty McBride launched "INTENTIONALLY ___________." in 2014 in Los Angeles, and six years later, the accessory brand is thriving. Perhaps you've seen those amazing "Per my last email" baseball caps on influencers or the coveted Willow sandals on Instagram. (Solange Knowles owns the Jones sandal, and when she posted them on her IGS, Ty said it was quite the moment.) Ty, who recently opened a store in Hudson, NY, and already has an outpost in Los Angeles, has one everlasting intention: to create the pieces that help you fill "____________s" in your personal style philosophy.

"We need diversity, and not just for queer people, not just among campaigns and social media, not just when people are watching."

I wanted to chat with him now more than ever because June is Pride Month, and Ty celebrates every year. (One of the charities his company recently funded is the Trans Justice Funding Project.) On a broader scale, Ty has some important messages for the fashion industry as a whole, which could stand to learn a few things about supporting the LGBTQ+ community as well as the Black community amid this time of horrible racial injustice spread across America.

Ahead, read more from my conversation with Ty, which focuses on his LGBTQ+ fashion heroes, his bestselling shoes, the new menswear line he just dropped, his nongender clothing (naturally, the amazing slogan hats fall into that category), and his current mission, which I now want to help him shout from the hilltops: "The fashion industry can start by taking several very big seats, and also several very big listening sessions. We need diversity, and not just for queer people, not just among campaigns and social media, not just when people are watching — we need it at the administrative level, at the editor/creative realm, at every level."

POPSUGAR: How are you personally celebrating Pride Month this year?
Ty McBride: I honor the space we are in and the evolution we have made since the year before. One great resource for those wanting to take a different view of Pride this year is checking out the LGBT History Instagram, which reminds us of the amazing events, people, and spaces that have gotten us to where we are.

"I truly believe that the gay community has to step up for our own, cherish our own, and heal our own community as we push for the same from society at large."

This year I will be celebrating Pride in a much more reflective and quiet space. My heart is currently thinking about our community, but especially the Black trans members of the LGBTQ+ family — the time for justice, equality, and honor for them is now. I truly believe that the gay community has to step up for our own, cherish our own, and heal our own community as we push for the same from society at large. Pride was started by our strong lesbian and trans sisters of color — it is time the community as a whole steps up to support the entire spectrum of the rainbow.

PS: Who are your Pride heroes in the fashion industry?
TM: André Leon Talley, I love old Marc Jacobs, and I recently rewatched Unzipped and fell deeper in love with Isaac Mizrahi. A lot of early tastemakers and trendsetters have paved the way for small LGBTQ+ brands like myself to be openly queer, totally out, and free to create: the Halstons, the YSLs, and those who pushed gender boundaries before us when things weren't as open. I love that there are a bunch of queen indie brands blazing trails loudly and boldly in 2020! (I love Noto Botanics, Lockwood51, Syro, Patrick Church, Seeker.)

PS: What can the fashion industry be doing to be more supportive of the LBGTQ+ community?
TM: The consumer base is more diverse than ever — brands are reaching every corner of the globe, so let's reflect that in the DNA of our own brands, platforms, and companies. I also have room to grow in this area, and I am here for the challenge. I want to push myself to really open my eyes to opportunities for inclusivity and a much-overdue relearning on the personal/brand level.

PS: One of the key features of your collection that sticks out is your use of color — the shoes are bold and bright and the shape unique. What does this say about the wearer?
TM: I truly strive to create shoes that are and can be seen as accessories and vehicles of personal style. This season, more than ever, I have punched up the color selection, and fans love it. Of course, we have styles in our staple black and neutral palette as well, but our washed-out brights, muted pastels, and poppy neons are getting lots of attention. With the state of things at the moment, we haven't truly been getting dressed for fun or expression like we normally would. I hope my brand can still speak to that true power of dressing for our clients. We are huge proponents of personal style, the power of personal style, and the power in that expression.

PS: What has been your bestselling shoe in 2020 so far?
TM: "INTENTIONALLY ___________." is an item-based brand. I work to create a broad offering that speaks to a myriad of people, events, and styling needs. I think that is reflected in our top two sellers this season. Our Willow sandal is a summer favorite, and we have her in several colors this season. Albany has been a surprise winner. It's not very opened up or sandal-y, but I think clients love the versatility for styling and the very clear '90s vibe.

PS: Do you have any dream-worthy celebrity moments in your shoes you can recount or people you'd love to see rocking your shoes?
TM: We have a great crop of clients and love seeing our shoes on the street! Even now, at six years of being a brand, I still get quite excited to see someone in their favorite IB. When Solange [Knowles] turned up on Instagram in our Jones sandal (now sold out), that was a favorite moment as I personally love her. Abbi Jacobson has been spotted in our Honcho. Jenny Lewis, whose music I adore, has a pair of Albany. I am holding out to see a pair of IB on Dolly Parton, Tracee Ellis Ross, or Parker Posey — and my ultimate celeb crush, Amy Sedaris.

"I like to do some things that might be unexpected for a traditional men's shoe because I couldn't give a f*ck about gender roles or expectations."

PS: You recently launched a men's line — how do you plan on expanding, and would you ever considered a nongender approach to footwear?
TM: The vibe of the men's offering is exactly the same as the women's — minimal shapes with maximal colors or details. I like to do some things that might be unexpected for a traditional men's shoe because I couldn't give a f*ck about gender roles or expectations. We have never truly considered a fully nongender-based approach to footwear, but with that being said, we sell shoes to everyone regardless of gender. We're working on creating more sizes on that spectrum to allow for more reach. The launch of our men's shoes is a nod in that direction of just wanting to spread ourselves out to more people. There is one shoe brand I love that makes heels in men's sizes. If that is your thing and you aren't familiar with Syro, you are missing out.

My Favorite Pieces

Intentionally Blank Willow in Sage ($180)

This LGBTQ+ Designer Is Speaking Up: "The Fashion Industry Must Take Several Big Seats"

My Favorite Pieces

Intentionally Blank Hiya in Yellow Patent

Intentionally Blank Hey Jessica in Lilac

Intentionally Blank 29 Cream

Intentionally Blank Cyrus Black

Intentionally Blank Gal Hologram

Intentionally Blank Hannah Terracotta

Intentionally Blank SO Cream

Intentionally Blank Rina Mustard Python

Intentionally Blank Cream Cream

Intentionally Blank Willow Hologram

Intentionally Blank Sum Cheetah

Intentionally Blank Grace Melon

Intentionally Blank Hiya Baby Blue Patent

Intentionally Blank Willow III Mustard Satin

Intentionally Blank Paco Clear

Intentionally Blank Love My Gays Cap

Intentionally Blank It's Human Nature Hat in Khaki/Blk

Intentionally Blank Fun Mom in Wht/Red

Intentionally Blank Per My Last Denim/Wht

Intentionally Blank I Mean Cap

Intentionally Blank Should I Get Bangs Sand/Black

Intentionally Blank They Them Black