Bella Ramsey launches model search with trans-owned apparel brand “Both&”

You could star in a new campaign for a trans-owned apparel company, thanks to a collab between Both& and Bella Ramsey.

The The Last of Us star posted to their Instagram Monday morning announcing the collaboration and contest. Ramsey shared that they discovered Both& when they were “just becoming comfortable with myself and my nonbinariness.” They added: “I was like, ‘Oh cool, clothing that actually fits and makes me feel good. So hard to find for us gender-nonconforming trans folk.”

Both& is an ethical, sustainable clothing brand founded by Finnegan Shepard, who is himself transmasculine. The clothes are mostly basics tailored specifically for transmasculine bodies, including a “post-top-surgery muscle tee” and “the perfect binding tank.” The brand also features a “pay it forward” program, in which people can donate between $25 and $250 to provide free shirts to people who can’t currently afford them.

In their video, Ramsey shared that they are collaborating with Both& for a London-based photoshoot at the end of August, which they are creative directing. To enter, participants must purchase something from the Both& website or make a donation to the “pay it forward” program within the next week. According to the site, purchases or donations of $50 count as one entry, up to $200 counts as two entries, and anything over $200 (big spender!) is three entries. After making your purchase or donation, you’ll receive an email survey that you must answer in order to be considered for competition. The competition is only open to people based in the US or UK who are over the age of 18 and runs until July 31. A winner will be announced on August 4 and flown to London for the shoot.

“We’ll work together to create this cool fun thing, and you’re going to be part of a major Both& campaign,” Ramsey said. “It’s going to be actually a lot of fun, we’ll just laugh and have fun, no pressures or stress.”

After Ramsey posted the video announcement on Monday morning, many fans went to the comments to share excitement about the collaboration and praise Ramsey’s advocacy. However, some also expressed dismay at not being able to afford the entry fee, noting that it presents a barrier for low-income trans people. One commenter with the handle @insideamagneticplanet also noted that modelling itself is work, writing, “It seems a bit weird to have to spend money to be considered for a job.” Still, we’re glad that Ramsey is using their platform to uplift a sustainable, trans-owned brand, and we hope that cis people donate some money to Both& on trans contestants’ behalf.

More information can be found at Both&’s website.

This story was originally published on Them.