Herstory is social media account that posts inspiring pro-lesbian photographs from all throughout history, and the popular Instagram handle has teamed up with Otherwild to launch a powerful lesbian clothing collection.
Otherwild x Herstory features four different items representing lesbian culture, including a tank top that reads "How Dare You Assume I'm Straight," which was inspired by an image of two women from New York Gay Pride Day in 1982. The other empowering items include a denim baseball cap that comes in blue and dark gray and reads "Gay Power," pins that say "Dyke," and a sweatshirt that reads "Lesbian Culture."
Not only is this collection powerful, but it's an attempt to change the way people look at lesbian style, which is typically called masculine and "butch." This chic collection is an attempt to change that stereotype and allow women to feel proud of their sexuality. Ten percent of the proceeds will also go towards the Lesbian Herstory Archives in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
"We want to continue to honor the messages created and voiced by the lesbians and gays of the '60s, '70s and '80s by making a collection of wears for the community today," said Kelly Rakowski, who created the Herstory Instagram account.
She and Rachel Berks, who owns Otherwild, decided to collaborate when the brand's "The Future is Female" shirt became a hot item. When Rakowski saw the success of the shirt, she reached out to Berks to see if she would be interested in creating more items based on the images and quotes she features on her page. Otherwild is also known for its other wildly successful shirt that reads "Gender Is A Drag," which the brand donates 25 percent of the proceeds to The National Center For Transgender Equality. As for the "Future Is Female" shirt, 25 percent of those sales go to Planned Parenthood.
Berks has said that the collection is about raising awareness and making clothing that people "feel proud to wear." "It is important not to lose the word 'lesbian' from our vocabulary," Rokowski added. "It's incredibly powerful to simply wear the phrase 'Lesbian Culture' across your chest."
The items range from $12 to $60 and there will be more to come from Otherwild x Herstory this spring!