*Hosted by Nik Kacy, Rose Garcia, and Notable Queers and Allies, EFW Showcases the Power of Inclusivity in Fashion*
LOS ANGELES – In a world where representation matters more than ever, Nik Kacy Presents Equality Fashion Week® (EFW) 2024 emerges as a beacon of hope and resilience, standing tall since its launch in 2018. At a critical juncture in history, amidst a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, EFW serves not only as a platform for underrepresented voices within the LGBTQ+ community but also as a vital movement advocating for equity, equality, and diversity beyond fashion with its 4-day event.
Scheduled to coincide with AAPI Heritage Month and a precursor to Pride Month, EFW will present an intersection of queer and API identities, highlighting the event’s global significance.
As the first LGBTQ+ focused Fashion Week in Los Angeles, EFW’s mission is immensely deeper than showcasing talent; it is a historical event aimed at breaking barriers and fostering unity within the LGBTQIA+ community—particularly among the most under-represented QTBIPOC members.
A Week of Historic Significance and Global Impact EFW 2024 is set to be a landmark event from May 15-19, with a lineup of notable designers such as Dapper Boi, Origami Customs, Sharpe Suiting, and Adolfo Sanchez, of Netflix’s “Next in Fashion”, who bring their unique perspectives and wild creativity to the runway. The fashion show will also feature appearances by influential figures in the LGBTQ+ community, including Aidan Park, Alexander Tries, Bamby Salcedo, Jazzmun, Karina Samala, Maria Roman, Rain Valdez, Rosalyne Blumstein, Rose Montoya, Sepi Shyne, and even 90s pop icon & LGBTQ+ ally, Marcella Detroit, from The Shakespeare Sisters. Performances include Trans Chorus of LA, Little Dinosaur, Chihsuan, and more, with additional announcements forthcoming. Partnerships with Hotel Ziggy and The West Hollywood EDITION Equality Fashion Week proudly partners with Hotel Ziggy and The West Hollywood EDITION to host this year’s landmark events, offering beautiful and safe spaces for both the opening and closing takeovers at Hotel Ziggy, and the exquisite fashion show at The West Hollywood EDITION ballroom. These partnerships are a testament to our shared commitment to creating inclusive environments where all attendees can celebrate diversity, fashion and unity in unparalleled style and comfort.
E3 Summit Highlights: Education and Empowerment At the heart of Equality Fashion Week 2024, the E3 (Educate, Enrich, Empower) Summit at Fan Girl Cafe serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue and learning. The summit features insights from luminaries such as on-air personality and journalist, Tracy Gilchrist, published author Zara Barrie, “The Oprah of LinkedIn ” Goldie Chan, and the award-winning activist and musician Ryan Cassata, offering a dynamic exploration of the LGBTQ+ experience . Central to the summit is the “Legacy of Courage: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Elders” panel with OUTWords Archive, a tribute to the trailblazers of our community, including legend Bamby Salcedo. This condensed series of discussions aims to enrich understanding and foster unity, making it a must-attend for those seeking to deepen their engagement with the LGBTQ+ narrative. Bridging Communities with Queer Market East and West.
In an exciting partnership with The Queer Mercado, known for being the first permanent LGBTQ+ feature in the community that takes place on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month at the East LA Civic Center, Equality Fashion Week 2024 introduces the Queer Market East and West. This unique collaboration brings a special edition of The Queer Mercado to EFW, with the Queer Market East set for May 18th at the East LA Civic Center venue, and the Queer Market West, including a lively queer pool party with Pearl Pool Party, at Hotel Ziggy on May 19th, in the only saltwater pool in West Hollywood. This initiative bridges the gap between East and Westside queer businesses, fostering economic empowerment and community solidarity. The Queer Markets, as part of EFW, create welcoming spaces that celebrate diversity and unity, showcasing the power of the LGBTQ+ community coming together.
Event Highlights
● May 15 – Multi-Experience Opening Party at Hotel Ziggy: An inclusive celebration with key local queer promoters.
● May 16 – E3 Summit at Fan Girl Cafe: Addressing crucial topics from financial wellness and mental health to queer culture intersectionality’s, gender exploration and entrepreneurship.
● May 18-19 – Queer Market East & West in partnership with The Queer Mercado: Supporting LGBTQ+ small businesses and fostering economic empowerment, while bridging East and Westside queer communities.
● May 18 – Fashion Show at The West Hollywood EDITION: A groundbreaking showcase of inclusive designs and the most diverse group of models ever to be seen on the runway, affirming EFW’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. In light of the current political climate, EFW’s commitment to representation is more crucial than ever. With plans to stream the event online, EFW aims to reach a global audience, providing a space where inclusivity is not just celebrated but normalized. A Call for Support and Solidarity EFW proudly invites individuals, businesses, and allies to join in supporting this monumental event. In a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces unprecedented challenges, supporting EFW is not just an investment in representation and reach; it’s a stand for human rights, equality, and the empowerment of under-represented voices across the world. For those interested in supporting, attending, or learning more about Equality Fashion Week 2024, please visit www.equalityfashionweek.com for updates and information on how to get involved.
About Equality Fashion Week
Equality Fashion Week®(EFW) is the first and only LGBTQ+ focused Fashion Week in Los Angeles, dedicated to showcasing the talents and stories of the LGBTQIA+ community. Founded by NiK Kacy, EFW is a celebration of diversity, visibility, and economic empowerment, aiming to create a world where fashion is inclusive of all genders, bodies, and identities.
Contact:
Nik Kacy
Founder / Executive Producer
Equality Fashion Week
[email protected]
For those interested in supporting EFW as sponsors or partners, please contact.
[email protected]
About Nik Kacy Presents
Nik Kacy Presents is the innovative force behind Equality Fashion Week, Queer Prom, and many other inclusive events aimed at providing empowerment and representation for LGBTQ+ communities. As a Queer, Trans Masculine, Nonbinary, Asian immigrant, Kacy infuses their heritage, identity, and fervent activism into every aspect of their work. This fusion makes Nik Kacy Presents Equality Fashion Week the embodiment of Kacy’s lifelong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and societal transformation.
About The West Hollywood EDITION
The West Hollywood EDITION is located on the corner of West Sunset Boulevard and North Doheny Drive, where West Hollywood meets Beverly Hills. With architecture by John Pawson, and interior design by Ian Schrager, the hotel features 190 guest rooms, including 48 suites and 2 penthouses, and over 6,500 square feet of meeting and event space as well as 20 luxury residences. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, the hotel’s culinary program boasts sophisticated dining including the plant-forward signature restaurant Ardor and rooftop bar and lounge, The Roof. The Lobby Bar, a gathering place for guests and West Hollywood locals alike, features bespoke creations and classic libations with a modern approach. Found In the basement of The West Hollywood EDITION, Sunset is a modern sophisticated clubhouse, offering a modern take on Studio 54 by Ian Schrager. With a focus on wellness, mindfulness and beauty from within, The Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION offers restorative treatments and services as well as a curated retail shop stocking California- nspired products. Guests of the hotel also enjoy access to a 24/7 gym featuring state of the art equipment, weekend yoga classes, and stunning rooftop pool.
www.editionhotels.com/weho @WehoEDITION Facebook.com/TheWestHollywoodEDITION
About Hotel Ziggy
Hotel Ziggy is a boutique hotel and music venue located at 8462 Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, California. It features a lobby bar with vinyl albums, an ’80s-themed media room, psychedelic murals, and rooms with decoupage walls that have musical references.
The energy is new, but the spirit is not at Hotel Ziggy, where a celebration of the Sunset Strip’s rebellion and ingenuity that defined the music industry beats on. It’s LA’s newest music venue, pizza shop, and West Hollywood’s only boutique hotel with a saltwater pool. It’s where legends were made, groupies once played, and today’s creative renegades can gather. More of an immersive experience than a hotel, Hotel Ziggy’s lobby doubles as a live music venue where weekly events and live performances draw in music lovers, artists and guests alike.
Accommodations range from sophisticated, fully renovated suites to spirited, poolside guest rooms that act as VIP cabanas while DJ sets and live music pair with pizza, pints, and good vibes at Ziggy’s central pool scene and buzzing restaurant, B-Side Pizza. Collaboration and creativity thrive in Ziggy’s two meeting rooms, and The Shred Shed is there with instruments, record players, and more for daily use whenever inspiration strikes. https://hotelziggy.com/ @hotelziggy Facebook.com/hotelziggy
About NiK Kacy
NiK Kacy is the founder of Nik Kacy Presents, Equality Fashion Week®, as well as the first gender-equal luxury footwear and accessories brand, Nik Kacy Footwear – an LGBT-certified business enterprise. They revolutionized the footwear industry with the launch of Nik Kacy Footwear back in 2013. This groundbreaking brand challenges traditional norms by introducing a unique sizing system and shoe last proportion that transcends the gender binary, offering designs that are not only inclusive but also rooted in utility. As a Queer, Transmasculine individual who identifies as gender non-binary, Kacy’s designs are inspired by both their personal identity, style and activism. Since their successful Kickstarter campaign in March 2015, NiK has been featured in numerous publications including, but not limited to The Advocate, Autostraddle, DapperQ, Fashion Times, Footwear News, Forbes, Fortune, LA Times, Out, PBS NewsHour, SheWired, TimeOut, The Huffington Post, The Hollywood Times and Women’s Wear Daily.
Nik has appeared on countless panels, speaking as an expert on gender fluidity and the intersectionality’s of their experience as a multicultural trans/non-binary, person of color, immigrant and queer entrepreneur. Prior to becoming a designer and entrepreneur, Nik spent 20+ years in the advertising and entertainment industries, serving primarily in the roles of senior producer and project manager. During that time Nik worked on multi-million-dollar campaign projects for YouTube, Google and RPA with clients including LG, Honda, Acura, Sony, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Toyota, and BBC. Nik eventually left the corporate world in order to find a solution for footwear and fashion to evolve into a gender-equal industry so that all gender identities and expressions can be represented equally. Learn more about the brand at: www.nikkacy.com.
