Lil Nas X isn’t just modelling for Christian Cowan, he’s collaborating on a new line

Lil Nas X is many things… a rapper, singer, songwriter and Internet sensation, just to name a few. But now, he’s adding yet another line item to his already impressive (even by A-lister standards) resume — fashion icon.Lil Nas is collaborating with British designer Christian Cowan on a Spring 2021 collection. The project, launched as a digital submission to New York Fashion Week, seems like a natural professional evolution for Lil Nas and Cowan, who are hardly strangers.

the statue of liberty could never! ? smh pic.twitter.com/qj72UP7stH

— nope (@LilNasX) September 17, 2020

The pair are reportedly good friends after Cowan dressed Nas for the VMAs in 2019. This marked Lil Nas’s first major red carpet look and, with Cowan’s help, the sequin suit he wore quickly captured the attention of fans while channelling “a little bit of Prince.” As the saying goes, “let’s keep a good thing going” — and keep it going they did.The collection aims to benefit the LGBTQ+ community, of which Cowan and Nas are both a part of — specifically, the Black queer community in Atlanta, Lil Nas’ hometown. Due too ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the pair had to let their creative juices flow virtually, and then shot a film showcasing the collection over three days, and across three major cities (New York, London and Las Angeles). 100 percent of the collection’s proceeds will benefit Atlanta’s Black queer youth through a nonprofit fund launched through the Loveland Foundation.Discussing the project with Vogue, Lil Nas X and Cowan explained that they felt “a duty” to create something that demonstrated support of the (often neglected) LGBTQ+ community. “The trans community, especially the Black trans community, is one of the most looked down upon groups in the entire world, and the least cared for,” said Lil Nas.[video_embed id='2037878']WATCH: Brandy tells us what it was really like reuniting with Monica for Verzuz[/video_embed]Chiming in, Cowan explained, “There’s been so many attacks on the trans community, even within the past few months, and it’s not publicized enough in the U.S. People forget that the entire Pride movement was started by Black trans women.”Of course, the visual showcase reveals itself as epic, consisting of a notably diverse cast made up of models, designers, singers, and well-known activists. Think: wild hair styles, bright colours, a little bit of latex, plenty of eyeliner, and gallons of glitter. Oh and, of course, some high fashion flair with a 70’s punk twist.

Me for Christian Cowan & Lil Nas X new SS20 collection. ALL proceeds go to the loveland foundation for BLACK TRANS WOMEN❤️ pic.twitter.com/9d8yt0yl4A

— Drebae (@Drebae_) September 17, 2020

Vogue shares that the collection, inspired by rebellious youth, includes everything from punky graphic tees and shredded denim to full-on glamorous ball gowns. Most importantly, the looks are entirely non-binary, meaning they aren’t meant for any specific gender. In the interview, Lil Nas notes that it is precisely this style which first drew him to Cowan’s work. “[Christian’s] looks are so in between the sexes, I like how he’s so free with it,” he shared.The show-stopping outfits (perhaps even that is an understatement) will be exclusively sold on FWRD.com. Together, Nas and Cowan hope to bring awareness to a segment of the LGBTQ+ community who are, so often, neglected by or underrepresented in mainstream media. "Nas and I both saw the opportunity do something incredible together,” explained Cowan in a statement. “Especially as personal fans of the work Rachel Cargle does with the Loveland Foundation, it felt like a natural partnership."[video_embed id='2036170']WATCH: Fashion-forward masks to stay safe and stylish[/video_embed]