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# From Gay Sheep to the Runway: Grindr celebrates queer identity with launch of fashion collection ‘I Wool Survive’
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/from-gay-sheep-to-the-runway-grindr-celebrates-queer-identity-with-launch-of-fashion-collection-i-wool-survive/
- Published: 2025-11-14T10:00:17.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-14T10:45:59.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: News

***All photos Randy Brooke.*** 

**Grindr** has taken fashion activism to a new level with the debut of *I Wool Survive* \- hailed as the "world’s first truly gay fashion collection". 

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-5--Sailor---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

****Photo by Randy Brooke**

The collection, which launched in New York, is the result of an unexpected collaboration between **Rainbow Wool** \- a German non-profit that rescues gay rams from slaughter - and acclaimed designer **Michael Schmidt**, whose star-studded client list includes **Beyoncé**, **Lady Gaga** and **Cher**. Together, they created 36 handcrafted looks spun entirely from Rainbow Wool yarn, with designs inspired by iconic gay archetypes: from Leathermen and Daddies to Firefighters and Sailors.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-15--Jock---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

****Photo by Randy Brooke**

Beyond its striking visuals, the project carries a powerful message about connection and diversity. “The gay sheep get discarded, get forgotten, are seen as not valuable,” said **Tristan Pineiro**, Grindr’s SVP of Brand Marketing and Communications. “But through them, two people who would never otherwise have met - a German sheep farmer and a Los Angeles designer - got connected and together created something beautiful.”

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-12--Cop---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

****Photo by Randy Brooke**

The show highlighted the natural diversity that exists across species and challenged lingering prejudices. Schmidt explained: “The mistreatment of animals that exhibit same-sex attraction is a painful reminder of the prejudice that continues to affect LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Hopefully, by illustrating that homosexuality exists throughout the animal kingdom, we can help put to bed the false and damaging notion that being gay is a choice.”

The *I Wool Survive* runway show took place at **The Altman Building** in Manhattan, followed by an after-party at **The Eagle NYC**. Select pieces will be auctioned to support LGBTQ+ initiatives globally, while Grindr continues to champion Rainbow Wool’s mission throughout 2026.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-32--Wrestler---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

****Photo by Randy Brooke**

Rainbow Wool’s founder, **Michael Stücke**, summed up the ethos behind the collaboration: “Scientific studies show that around one in twelve rams naturally prefer other males. Our farm offers them a different fate. This partnership proves that being gay is part of nature itself, and I’m proud our sheep can help people see love and diversity in a new way.”

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-1--Adam---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-3--Knight---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-8--Greaser---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-17--Auto-Mechanic---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-22--Cowboy---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-30--Daddy-Next-Door---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-35--Leather-Daddy---Look-36--Leather-Pup---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/11/Look-33--Pizza-Delivery-Guy---Grindr-x-Rainbow-Wool-_I-Wool-Survive_-Designed-by-Michael-Schmidt.JPG)

****Photos by Randy Brooke**