Tan France Launches Genderless Outerwear Label Was Him: “We Want to Be an Inclusive Brand”

Tan France, one of Queer Eye‘s Fab Five and host of Next in Fashion, has partnered with retail platform and brand incubator thmbl to design a genderless line of outerwear. France liked the idea that a coat is often the one thing you remember about someone’s outfit, and saw the need for more affordable, luxe-looking pieces in the market. His solution is seven different styles that retail for USD $375-$475 and will be available to shop come November (so you better sign up for the wait list).

Of course, Tan styled a beautiful campaign to go with the drop. The inspiration behind the jackets and the detail you see on all of them is personal – but it all starts with Tan’s middle name, Washim. In a video for thmbl, Tan discusses being one of seven brown people in his entire school growing up. He recounts moments of bullying in which kids would separate his middle name and say, it “was him” to place blame throughout his earlier days.

“I wanted to take that memory that was actually kind of painful and put a positive spin on my name. Was Him is for everyone, regardless of your gender, regardless of your ethnic background, regardless of where you were in the world once. It’s about where you are now and how you want to present yourself to the world. This is what we are offering with Was Him – a powerful moment that speaks to all of you. we don’t want to be an exclusive brand, we want to be an inclusive brand, and that is what we are offering here,” he said.

Tan’s husband Rob, who is from Wyoming and was raised on a ranch, created the embroidery for the western inspired collection, helping Tan shape the line into a representation of his life in America, interwoven with his British and Pakistani roots. You can click through to see the full range in all of its mixed-media, colourblock glory, and watch this space as we await launch day and get right to shopping.