Joy, Power, and a Runway with Purpose: Recapping the 11th Annual GARRAS Fashion Show
Last Saturday, November 15, the TransLatin@ Coalition lit up the Pacific Design Center for the 11th Annual GARRAS Fashion Show—a celebration of trans brilliance that once again blended activism, glamour, and community power. And while we couldn’t be there in person (trust us, the FOMO is real), we’re here to bring y’all a full recap of everything that made this year’s show one of the most meaningful yet. Because let us tell y’all…this year was stacked.
We got fashion. We got looks. We got walk-after-walk-after-walk. We got community. We got representation. We got activism woven right into the seams. Held during Transgender Awareness Week, GARRAS continues to stand as one of the most vital events uplifting Two-Spirit, transgender, gender-expansive, and intersex creatives. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t just present fashion, it reframes who gets to be seen, celebrated, and centered. It’s about reclaiming space, telling stories, and celebrating trans brilliance on our own terms.
And that spirit took center stage when TLC honored performance artist and advocate Gia Gunn with the Trans Spirit of Resilience Award, spotlighting her work amplifying 2TGI empowerment and visibility. Marilyn Howard received the Spirit of Allyship Award, recognizing those who stand alongside the community and actively champion its well-being. TLC leaders Bamby Salcedo and Maria Roman-Taylorson welcomed honorees, designers, and guests, joined by familiar faces such as Joella (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17), Vincent Rodriguez III (With Love), actress Lara Martorell, artist Lyle Anthony, and influencers Victoria Rose, Heaven Lee, Laron Gigger, Jessica Daley, and Margarito Perez.
But as always, the heart of GARRAS was the runway itself, this year featuring a lineup of designers whose work embodied authenticity, innovation, and unapologetic self-expression. From men’s couture to bridalwear, from upcycled pieces to unisex designs, the range of artistry reinforced something we heard Bamby tell us during our interview: “This is a place where our community is empowered in more ways than one.” And this year’s collections showcased exactly that.
Antonio of He by Luhan sent sharp, sculpted men’s couture that balanced structure with fluidity. LEANDRAG’s Leandra Rose brought high-glam queen energy with pieces that belong on stage and in your dreams. Dreams Bridal by Enrique Montes (The King of Fashion) brought stunning formalwear perfect for weddings and quinceañeras. BornXNaked, led by Vanessa Cervantes and Metzli, delivered bold intimates rooted in confidence and softness. Müko turned sustainability into art with upcycled creations that reimagined what clothing can become. Ayo of ObaAyo presented exquisitely tailored unisex garments, and Simi Creations—the grandmother-granddaughter duo—stole the show with generational creativity stitched into every look.
Beyond the lights and the runway, GARRAS is also a fundraiser for TLC’s essential community work, the kind that keeps people fed, housed, supported, and safe. This year, the event also introduced two $5,000 vocational scholarships to help trans and gender-expansive people pursue education, training, or the basic tools they need to succeed. It’s a reminder that yes, the runway is fierce, but its impact is deeply real.
And perhaps that’s what makes GARRAS so special: how seamlessly it merges art with purpose. Year after year, it proves that trans joy is revolutionary, and trans creativity isn’t just part of fashion; it is fashion. And even from afar, even watching through photos, livestream clips, and behind-the-scenes moments shared online, the power of this year’s show was unmistakable: celebratory, defiant, creative, and overflowing with talent. For those of us tuning in through screens, every moment made it clear why this event matters so deeply.
As we look ahead, we’re grateful for the organizers, designers, and community members who make this event possible. And we’re already looking forward to what next year brings. Because if the first eleven years of GARRAS have taught us anything, it’s that this runway isn’t just a stage, it’s a movement. So here’s to many more years of fashion with purpose, and many more runways where trans artistry continues to shine.
Until next year, y’all. Until then, check out some selected pictures from this year’s GARRAS Fashion Show at the gallery below, courtesy of our friends at TLC.
For more information about the TransLatin@ Coalition and GARRAS, please visit their official website. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of the TransLatin@ Coalition. Photo by Roberto Hannibal.
