Washington, DC - Barneys New York has become the first major retailer to launch a campaign exclusively featuring the lives and stories of diverse transgender models and their family members. "Brothers, Sisters, Sons & Daughters" was shot by renowned American fashion photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber whose photographs have also appeared in GQ, Vogue, and Rolling Stone. Each model was interviewed by journalist, and contributing editor at Vanity Fair, Patricia Bosworth.
"Barneys New York is bringing the wholeness and internal beauty of transgender people to the public. Bruce Weber, Patricia Bosworth and Barneys New York have made transgender lives real and have given these models the chance to tell their own touching and inspiring stories in their own voices," said National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling.
Keisling added, "'Brothers, Sisters, Sons & Daughters' is a powerful reminder of how far we have come culturally as transgender people, and it will help push us further."
The Spring 2014 campaign created a safe space for models from diverse walks of life—from African American Ball culture in NYC to life in Tulsa, Oklahoma—to share their empowering struggles and inspiring victories. These stories highlight the enduring connections and support of family, friends, and community members that showcase the deep roots of transgender people in American culture and society.
"Over a year in the making, 'Brothers, Sisters, Sons & Daughters' represents an important point for the social acceptance of transgender people; a point we're coming ever closer to tipping. And this campaign, by a major cultural institution like Barneys New York, will do a lot to educate Americans about who we are, making even political progress in Washington just a little bit easier," Keisling said.
As part of NCTE's ongoing work to educate workplaces about their obligations to address anti-transgender discrimination, the National Center for Transgender Equality provided cultural competency training to Barneys New York corporate staff in headquarters and with floor associates in retail locations across the country. NCTE, along with the LGBT Center of New York, will receive half of 10% of all sales from Barneys' 11 flagship stores nationwide and Barneys.com on February 11th.
On February 11, just after the launch of the campaign, Barneys New York and Vanity Fair will hold a screening of a Bruce Weber film based on the campaign and the seventeen transgender models, followed by a discussion with Bruce Weber, Dennis Freedman, Mara Keisling and several of the models. Following these events, the Bruce Weber film will be shown exclusively on the Barneys New York site, The Window and in the Madison Avenue store's windows through March 16th.
To speak Mara Keisling, please contact Vincent Paolo Villano / vvillano@transequality.org / 202-631-9640.
The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501( c )3 organization.
