Earth Day is a worldwide movement where people unite to drive positive actions for our planet. A worldwide movement that shares a synergy with a local Bronx clothing company led by three artists better known as the "trifecta." The trifecta who launched their brand, Equalshuman, in 2017 are artists who embody an ethos of raw, unencumbered, sustainable craftsmanship and a community movement. Founders Jess Licata, Alison Vitolo, and Creative Partner Jodi Ingham, the "trifecta," have captured the importance of being unbounded by societal expectations and transformed it into a distinctive, socially responsible brand. 

The thought-provoking brand, by all accounts, is a brand with a purpose. "We created a clothing line with a purpose," says Jess. "The Equalshuman clothing brand is a community; it's family, giving back, it's life, it's real, it's a movement, and it's who we are that creates all the madness and chaos when we come together." Both high-end and economically sensible men's and womenswear collections are underpinned by the mission "We are all equal."

At the core of Equalshumans, DNA is art. Art is in every fiber of their spirit. The trifecta partnership is a free-spirited synergistic relationship molded into creating a brand and an idiosyncratic concept. Co-founder Jess Licata is a self-taught artist who creates pioneering paintings on canvas. Her original art creations are then hand painted or printed onto many of the garments produced. An original art collection- called Spiritland was created by Jess. The "spiritland" series was turned into an NFT to bring art into the metaverse. Its symbiosis is all about understanding humanity, that we all aim to do one thing: live true to ourselves. Co-founder, Alison Vitolo, is the visionary behind the brand. Her ideas are the wheelhouse beyond the brand's concepts. Jodi Ingham, whose background is in garment construction, represents the brand's artistry through her photography and strategy. Having attended Parson's and worked predominantly with startup brands at various stages of growth, Jodi joined the team to streamline the production of their first collection and help identify the brand's ethos.

An interesting question is how three entrepreneurs come together to create a single collection. The trifecta explains their process. Jess primarily curates the art, while Jodi generally oversees the sample-making. She keeps the cutting tickets running and works with the sample makers directly. Allison is the inspiration and visionary behind it all. She envisions the concept and brings it to the table. Together, they conduct the fittings, the final design, and touches to their pieces. Developing a "trifecta" workmanship where the three are simultaneously designing. "I think we've just worked together for so long at this point that we kind of have a really good sense of what each other is going to bring to the table," says Jodi. "I deliver the more technical stitches, Alison brings the product's vision, and Jess will bring the artwork and inspiration. Then we'll say, I love this art. I want to wear it."

An environmentalist at heart, Equalshumans aims to attract a diverse customer base while maintaining authenticity and sustainability. The Bronx-based brand prides itself on sui-generis design while using natural fabrics. For this year's Earth Day, Equalshuman is joining the first-ever sustainable outlet brought to you by the House of BAV and TANGIER outlets. The brand will be doing a fashion show for sustainable fashion week on April 22nd in Atlantic City, New Jersey, including a blowout capsule campaign featuring price drops on all EQH organic cotton and terry styles. Their terry-style streetwear designs are showcased in a variety of hoodies, joggers, and tees, from their 100% organic cotton French terry trifecta seamless joggers to their "Peace Out" boxy tee with raw edge crop and hand-cut peace-sign design, to their "Pink" organic hoodie featuring spirit kreature, "Pink'' who is also an NFT. The show will be a testament to what sustainable fashion can do.

Sustainability is more than just about the environment for the brand. "We have a passion and want to get it out to help people. We understand what certain situations can do to people," says Allison. "That's our goal. To continue creating that creative community through our art, music, and fashion."

Comparing a startup brand to a powerhouse legacy fashion brand is hard. But you can't help but respect one that is disruptive to the norm in an environmentally conscious way. Equalshuman is breaking the mold in a lot of different ways. There are videos of their altruistic side. There are videos of their love for the community. Their niche for fashion is embedded in their New York City roots. The brand's ethos centers on the arts and building a community where they honor and validate differences while collaborating and designing their visions for a well-balanced world with the health of humanity and the planet. They want to be acknowledged as a serious brand for staying true to who they are while, at the same time, addressing the needs of legacy fashion and fashion organizations out there. 

For more on EQH, NFT “Pink’s” journey and to shop the brands latest collection or make a custom order, click the link equalshuman.com