Seth
(he/they)
Wurundjeri Land
VEIN is a trans-owned clothing brand run by Seth (he/they). All garments are upcycled one-of-one pieces, adhering to the values of slow and environmentally sustainable apparel. At the core of VEIN is the de-gendering of fashion.
My name is Seth and I’m currently working and living on Wurundjeri Land. I’ve had a love for making things since I was little. That love has increased over the last few years, during which I’ve exhibited line-heavy, grotesque-style drawings and paintings at various galleries and nightclubs around Naarm. I’ve mostly been self/internet-taught and have enjoyed the sticky process of trial and error since entering the world of apparel.
Model: Seth (@seth_mck666)
The genesis of VEIN coincided with my fundraiser for gender-affirming surgery, which was (is) obscenely expensive and inaccessible for most trans/gender non-conforming people (read: wtf). I painted two red cherubs onto white t-shirts and was overwhelmed by how many friends/acquaintances/strangers bought them. It felt so exhilarating to make (some of) a living off my art – and I knew I wanted to do more. The t-shirt fundraiser was a learning curve in terms of sourcing ethical materials, and I have since lost all desire to buy first-hand goods. Now all my garments are upcycled or ethically sourced, in an attempt to quash my contributions to fast fashion.
Fluro Future cap on @sunni.palm
Outside of the necessity of raising funds, I have been consistently inspired by trans people around me and before me. Significantly, Alok Menon (alokvmenon) is an enby writer/poet/activist/fashion icon who advocates for the de-gendering of fashion. They outline gendered clothing’s colonial and racist histories via their online platforms. Similarly, Laverne Cox (@lavernecox) inspires me immensely and has been a trailblazer for trans advocacy over the last two decades.
Literally any femme, more specifically BIPOC femmes, have inspired me by historically being their unapologetic selves in public spaces, despite 2021 being the deadliest year for trans people in the States (which does not even count for unreported murders). This violence has disproportionately affected QTBIPOC individuals, whose existence paves the way to liberation for everyone.
My personal style vacillates between high-masc athletic – I’m talking basketball shorts, collared shirts, sneakers and baseball caps – and adorned femme – think Hello Kitty nails, pearl necklaces and tight tees. This style is reflected in the aesthetics of VEIN, which obliterate any notion of intransigent gender categories. Anyone can wear VEIN, but I particularly enjoy making garments for my trans siblings. Garments made by trans people for trans people make my heart swell.
Ali (@ali_paints_)
Your creations are an awesome mix of dreamy pastels and dark grunge.
Where do you find inspiration?
I love spending time in the cemetery (yes I am that cemetery gurl). I particularly like the cursive, gaudy and gothic aesthetics of tomb stones, which is reflected in VEIN garments.
Similarly, I’ve had a crush on the sky since I was a kid and its ability to morph and shift. The pastels of the heavens comprise part of VEIN’s colour palette.
Androgynous fashion is certainly making a rise (especially for smaller labels), why do you think this is important for the industry?
Androgynous fashion is not only important for the fashion industry, rather it is integral for the liberation of us ALL. Cross-dressing laws were introduced in the US in the mid-nineteenth century to restrict the clothing of people perceived as either men or women. These laws and their resulting moral (cis) panic largely resulted in arrests, imprisonment and violence against trans and GNC people.
For a more in-depth history of this f*ckery see Leslie Feinberg’s Stone Butch Blues, a political memoir which highlights the relentless policing and sexual violence of GNC people. More locally, colonial enforcement of gender norms over the last two hundred years has seen the attempted eradication of the vibrant and vast gender expressions of many First Nations Individuals and Communities.
Either through law or social prosecution, white supremacy is responsible for the scam that is gendered clothing norms. For these reasons, de-gendering fashion is an essential part of mitigating and ending the violence toward and murder of trans people globally.
Millie (@mmillie_mck)
Each piece does take a fair bit of time to craft, but I honestly enjoy making this stuff so much. I know it’s a cliché but sewing, dying, painting, snipping, printing and gluing for VEIN simply does not feel like work. I love heading to my studio with the knowledge that I can just make. When I’m not putting together garments for VEIN I like to read, play chess, go thrifting and foraging. The balance comes easily when I adore the creation process so much.
Lastly, what advice would you give to other young designers wanting to start their own brand?
I would say to envision yourself doing what you want and then do everything within your power to make it a reality. I consistently downplayed the significance of VEIN in an attempt to undermine it before anyone else could. I soon realised the foolishness of this and then started to take it seriously, which allowed the brand to grow. Seek help and mutual aid from Community, be it insight, funds or mental space for a vent. My DMs are always open to new designers if they need assistance or whatever guidance I can offer. If it’s not within your capacity financially, do some research on artist grants that are going (something I’ve been meaning to do for a while lol). While striving toward making what you want is important, it is also integral to take breaks and be compassionate to yourself.
My final piece of advice is to f*ck the algorithms and aesthetics of Instagram – if you want to try out a new style that doesn’t exactly fit with your existing visuals then go for it. Don’t let the parameters of the online world limit your artistic expression.