On May 17th, 1990, the World Health Organization officially eliminated homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. An enormous goal which finally made the world understand that love is not something that needs to be healed, studied, or even deleted, and that has given courage and hope to many people. Love is love, on this there is not, nor will there ever be doubt. From that year, every 17th May the International Day Against Homophobia is celebrated, a moment that invites to reflection and openness, and that condemns the hate and discrimination that unfortunately continue to afflict the LGBT community.
An industry that has always sided against homophobia is certainly fashion, and in recent years designers have found a way to honour homosexuality through its most famous symbol: the rainbow. Many different colours which together create something wonderful: this is the message that the LGBT community, as well as fashion, seeks to convey.
For his last collection for Burberry, Christophe Bailey combines the classic tartan motif of the maison with the bright shades of a psychedelic rainbow; Lorenzo Serafini printed it on Philosophy‘s fluctuating and super-feminine dresses, while Alberta Ferretti created an oversize and super-coloured pullover with a nostalgic 1980s mood. Gucci makes it bohemian by intertwining it with the GG monogram on skirts, accessories and sport suits, while Chanel declines it in an ultra-chic version in delicate pastel tones.
Even the celebs have given their contribution to spreading an ideal of union and respect through their outfits. In the front line there’s certainly Lady Gaga with Born This Way, song that become the anthem of the LGBT Community, who at Pride 2018 shows off Marina Hoermanseder‘s Rainbow Buckle Jeans decorated with belts in treated leather. Singer Janelle Monaé is a living rainbow at BET 2018 with a Nicolas Jebran dress and a Swarovski clutch by Judith Lieber, while Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner parade at the 2017 London Pride hand in hand with a total-rainbow Texas hat.
Last but not least, at this year’s MET Gala the CAMP theme has shown all the possible nuances on the red carpet, a tribute to the LGBT world of Drag Queens that have made extravagance their daily bread, among which stands out the multicolour Cara Delevingne’s look by Christian Dior. Your True Colors Are Beautiful Like Rainbow, for love and against hate, always.