The fashion world was recently shaken up by the debut of a unique knitwear collection in New York City. Grindr, the popular queer hookup app, joined forces with celebrity designer Michael Schmidt to showcase a 36-piece collection made from wool sourced from the world’s “first flock of gay sheep” in Germany. The event, titled “I Wool Survive,” took place at Manhattan’s Altman Building and featured designs that were truly one-of-a-kind.
The wool used in these exquisite pieces came from a farm in Löhne, Germany, run by Michael Stücke. Stücke, an openly gay man, is known for rescuing “gay rams” – male sheep with a sexual orientation towards other males. These sheep are often at risk of being slaughtered because they do not contribute to procreation. Rainbow Wool, Stücke’s company, proudly displays the statistic that up to 8% of rams exhibit same-sex behavior on their website.
The collection, inspired by themes of fantasy and fetish, featured designs such as knit leather daddy, slutty Adam from Genesis, Knight, and a woven Greco-Roman figure. These pieces will be auctioned off to benefit LGBTQ+ causes in the near future.
For those looking to support this cause, Rainbow Wool offers the opportunity to sponsor a homosexual ram, affectionately referred to as a sponsor sheep. Sheep with names like Horny, Franz Kafka, and Wollie Wonka can be sponsored for $25, with every dollar going towards ensuring the well-being of these gay sheep on the farm.
Designer Michael Schmidt emphasized that while the collection was light-hearted, it brought attention to serious issues such as the mistreatment of homosexual animals and discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Stücke echoed this sentiment, stating that the fashion collection served as a powerful message that being gay is a natural part of life.
The wool from these special rams is not just a material – it is a symbol of freedom and love for animals who are allowed to live authentically. The collaboration between Grindr, Rainbow Wool, and Michael Schmidt has not only produced stunning fashion pieces but also sparked important conversations about inclusivity and acceptance in the fashion industry.
