Ad Age is marking Pride Month 2023 with our Honoring Creative Excellence package, in which LGBTQ+ creators revisit some of their favorite projects. (Read the introduction here.) Today, our guest editor Lucas Crigler turns the spotlight to NiK Kacy, founder of NiK Kacy Footwear. Here, Kacy writes about their eponymous brand and launching Equality Fashion Week.

Growing up as an Asian immigrant AFAB (assigned female at birth) presented numerous challenges. Not only did I face the struggles of being queer, masculine-presenting and nonbinary, but the world around me often refused to accept my true identity. Consequently, I found it disheartening and sometimes even hopeless to exist authentically. Despite working diligently to adapt and achieve outstanding grades, I perpetually felt alone and unworthy. It wasn’t until I discovered a sense of belonging within the queer community that I began to realize my purpose. 

In 2013, I made the bold decision to leave my dream job at Google and become an entrepreneur. Motivated by a lifetime of struggling to find footwear that aligned with my gender identity and accommodated my feet, I founded the first gender-equal footwear and accessories brand, NiK Kacy Footwear.

During this journey, I showcased my designs at fashion shows that celebrated queer designers leading the charge in breaking the confines of the gender binary. Our creations allowed individuals of all gender spectrums to authentically express themselves. However, as queer brands, we frequently encountered obstacles when attempting to reach mainstream retail buyers and consumers. Operating within a niche market often resulted in limited growth potential and an inability to scale. The scarcity of venture capital available to queer-owned small businesses made it difficult for many to survive, let alone participate in mainstream fashion weeks. 

Throughout this journey, I observed that the budgets for queer initiatives were typically limited, production values were low and equitable compensation was rare. Most participants (like me) volunteered their time, which hindered long-term community development and economic stability. Motivated by this realization, I set out to change the status quo.

As a brand, I sought to challenge the norm by creating gender-equal designs, prompting individuals to question why equality wasn’t the standard. If John and Jane purchased the same high-quality product at the same price, would John question why Jane wasn’t earning the same? As an event producer, my dream was to establish a high-caliber platform that uplifted queer talent and brands while ensuring fair compensation.

This aspiration materialized as Equality Fashion Week (EFW), the first LGBTQ-focused fashion week in Los Angeles, which I launched in 2018. Over the years, EFW has showcased nearly 20 LGBTQ+ designers and involved over 200 QTBIPOC models and performers. 

Although the pandemic necessitated a pause, last year I organized Queer Prom as a fundraising event to revive EFW — and this year we hosted it again on June 1 at Sunset at Edition in West Hollywood to help kick off Pride Month. Queer Prom serves as a stepping stone in our ongoing journey toward equity and visibility for the queer community. My ultimate goal is to revive EFW this October and expand its reach nationwide.

Now more than ever, our community requires support and representation across the United States. In a time in which nearly 500 anti-trans legislative bills threaten our fundamental rights—such as healthcare, housing, education and freedom of expression—it is crucial to support and represent our community across the U.S. Together, we must fight forward and inspire positive change, one step at a time.