Rainbow Fashion Week (RFW) is taking over New York City for the third consecutive year, just in time for the pre-Pride events with “Eight Days of Queer Fashion Shows,” June 17-24, 2016.

However, New York is taking it to the next level. Being one of the four fashion capitals in the world, the goal is to be the one with the first carbon neutral week. Founder and Executive Producer E. Jaguar Beckford (Jag) is mixing love affairs with social responsibility, hosting this revolutionary week.

Since there are no other events representing the LGBTQ community, New York aims to support the business of queer style as well as voice an active platform to promote sustainability. The city wants to address major issues the LGBTQ faces such as global water crises, anti-bullying, anti-domestic violence, body positivity, marriage equality, trans-justice, and LGBT youth homelessness.

Back in June 2013, Rainbow Fashion Week was first introduced in New York. It’s amazing to see three years go by and the upbringing of more than one important message being encouraged. This third edition of Rainbow Fashion Week will officially kick off Friday, June 17, celebrating 50 extraordinary achievers in the LGBT community for their efforts in fashion, beauty, media, and community.

Jag and RFW are focused on the effort to create a morally accountable fashion week, with the end goal to reduce their electric energy consumption by 1/3. Using solar powered generators and panels, urging New York City to mandate dog waste through its Rainbow Pets event, recycling, and re-using clothing through its Dumpster Divers event are all ways this event plans to take action. RFW’s mission statement is “to make it a global pledge to educate new designers of the responsibilities they bare when ordering, utilizing, and disposing textiles, to consider bio safe vendors and consider several re-purposing ideals,” and that is exactly what is going to be accomplished. 

Endorsed by Mayor Bill DeBlasio, RFW also brings “fashion at its finest,” while displaying the talented skills of LGBT fashionistas. They are scheduled to set the tone for this year’s Fall/Winter looks, with extravagant prints, colors, styles, and patterns on stage. 

The glam squad who will be featuring their latest collaborations include Andre Soriano, Dwight Eubanks, JagandCo, Karen Gravano, Milan Chris Gordy, Jimmy Crystal, Coogi, Ashley Stewart, Barron Wise, Robert Negrin, Egypt Ukele. Other brands that will be featured are Lainy Gold, Trans is Beautiful Clothing, The Mannequin Project, Pretty Boi Couture, Kesuave Clothing, Sinister Apple, Stud Fit Nation, These Pink Lips, GorinBrothers, Tickle Me Pink, Thuy Custom Clothing, Pretty in Pink, Intimate Grind Identity and The Glamour Queenz. 

To make this event possible though, many sponsors paid their contribution. These consist of Crayola, Zipbuds, Eubanks Collections, Blue Moon, Cavodka, Estylz, VH1, Concrete Frames, Creative Group, Out Hotel, NYLA Tequilla, AARP, HMI, JagandCo, Dreamhouse BMG, Housing Works, Samsung, Sound Exchange, GAP, Razor, Puma, Champion, and Coogi. Meanwhile, Viridian, Blue Water, Gem Pawnbrokers, CERES, and Earth Justice will assist Jag with educating audiences about new ways to reduce our carbon foot prints.                           

Eight days of exceptional queer fashion shows with daily themed runways is something you do not want to miss. Get your tickets now at http://www.rainbowfashionweek.com/tickets/ and stay tuned to see what’s in store at this year’s Rainbow Fashion Week in NYC. 

WRITTEN BY GINA GARGIULO

EDIT BY SUSAN SCHELL

PHOTO CREDIT: RAINBOW FASHION WEEK