Today, Gypsy Sport reflects what people – from all walks of life – should see in fashion. For 10 years, Uribe has been able to leverage Gypsy Sport to empower subcultures.
“I have been able to increase visibility for marginalized people in photo campaigns, fashion videos, and on the runway,” the CFDA member said. “Most companies do not create moments for subcultures that we speak to.
“Even photographers, creative directors, and stylists from underrepresented communities have worked behind the scenes as well,” he added. “Everyone does not want to be a model; there are people who embrace their creative gifts. I am opening doors for people within subcultures to impact change on a community level. And it trickles up.”
Uribe is forever encouraged to connect with subcultures that society overlooks. His activism is embedded in Gypsy Sport’s DNA. “Well, I grew up in different undervalued communities,” he recalled. “I innately embrace Latino people because I am that. I support other people I grew up with, Black and brown people and other minorities, in my neighborhoods. And then of course, people of different sizes, body types, and disabilities. The human spectrum of diversity is so huge. I want to make fashion an even and fair playing field for people who have never been traditionally invited or included. After 10 years of Gypsy Sport, I am surprised there are not more brands casting trans people and plus-size people. There is still a lot of work to do.”
In fashion, Uribe has opened doors for unique people, creating an inclusive brand. He is inspired by the crossover of fashion and The Ballroom Community birthed by marginalized Black and Latinx people. For Uribe, people within subcultures have impacted Gypsy Sport’s brand values.
“All of my models and collaborators are very inspiring,” the designer said. “As far as Latinx, I will say Leiomy Maldonado has always been a positive and impactful Latinx person to admire. She judged on the show ‘Legendary.’ Shehas not been one of my models yet but I applaud Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Her values and perspectives on our culture in America are truly inspirational.”
Uribe also cited Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera as making an inpact on how he sees community and values.
Cultural appropriation in fashion is still something that many people lack a clear understanding of in fashion and elsewhere. They believe cultural appropriation is simply the use of a culture’s symbols, artifacts, genres, and rituals. It is that, and the exploitation of the particular marginalized and colonized culture.
“Since the very beginning of Gypsy Sport, we have worked with friends to shed light on the underrepresented community around us,” Uribe said. It is refreshing to see designers like Uribe show appreciation not only just to his own culture but also cultures that have influenced his perspectives in and out of fashion. As Uribe put it, “When someone shows up for Gypsy Sport in their authentic self, it provides visibility and hope for queer, fat, or underrepresented youth who see themselves becoming celebrated in fashion. As a kid, I was a fat and brown boy looking at Vogue in the grocery store and hoping to one day be part of that world.”
And since launching Gypsy Sport a decade ago, he’s indeed become celebrated in the fashion world.
For this 10-year anniversary, Uribe is making his return to New York Fashion Week, his fashion direction expected to spark a new match to flames that disrupt exclusivity and provide a fresh approach derived from his Latinx culture. “There is a very Chicano vibe this season, which is a huge moment now with my culture,” Uribe offered. “Since coming back to LA, I have been celebrating, embracing, and understanding who I am a lot more. The Chicano subculture evolved within the Hispanic or Mexican American culture. We are going to continue to do what we love the most, which is celebrate people from all different walks of life and bring more light to invisible people. I am focused on the fashion aesthetics this season, while featuring new models in addition to 12 all-star models from past seasons.”
There’s even a casting call expected to draw hundreds of people to come for an opportunity to walk the runway show. “I wish we could book all of them but it is exciting to open doors for at least 30 people,” he said.
“How we are producing our clothes and directing the brand overall is a part of Gypsy Sport’s development and expansion,” he added. “It makes sense to say the brand is growing up. It is Gypsy Sport’s 10th Anniversary. We are ecstatic to showcase our beautiful collection styled on beautiful people.”
