When it comes to the four fashion capitals, New York is increasingly losing its commercial rep and becoming known as a city that’s home to designers keen to push the boundaries. From Telfar to Vaquera, Pyer Moss and Barragán, NYFW is a hotbed of creativity where important conversations surrounding gender, identity, race, and inclusion are sparked and discussed (and some really great clothes are sent down the runway). 

Joining the NYFW line-up last season was yet another brand doing big things. Founded in 2015 by Arin Hayes and Pierre Davis, LA-based label No Sesso made its NYC debut with a gender-subverting collection, as modelled by a diverse cast. 

Now, No Sesso presents its latest project – a short fashion film which sees the label’s extended family and friends take to the streets to perform an interpretive dance choreographed by director Sarah C Prinz. “We loved Sarah and her girlfriend Mo’s energy when we first met them, and I was immediately drawn to her. Once I saw her work, I was sold,” explains Davis. Those featured include inspiring members of the US LGBTQ+ community, including No)one. Art House founder and dancer Chris Emile, and Voguing legends Enyce Smith and Gia Banks, as styled by Autumn Randolph.

“Arin and I spoke extensively about identity and strength and beauty and culture and vanity and hustle and perseverance and what the culmination of all those ideas actually looks like” – Sarah C Prinz

Entitled Worth, the short is an exploration of the many factors that affect and inform our self worth. “Arin and I have spoken extensively about identity and strength and beauty and culture and vanity and hustle and perseverance and what the culmination of all those ideas actually looks like. Worth is a malleable word that felt alive and activated enough to embody all of those ideas,” explains Prinz of the foundations of the project.  

As well as physically demonstrating the idea of high self worth, she also wanted to convey those moments when it’s not quite so ‘up there’. “Our self worth is constantly evolving and changing throughout our lives,” she says. “I wanted that concept to be a part of the film. The piece is all about activating, embodying, identifying, and empowering our worth in a wide series of moments. The film is really about fantasising about all the different forms of power we hold and what they feel like.”  

Shot on location around Los Angeles, each area holds a certain significance. “The ocean signifies consciousness. The underpass with the break of light stretching through it is hope. The tree, family,” says Prinz. “All of these spaces bring a different subtext to each person, and I think it’s really beautiful hearing if people share or are separate in their own subconscious interpretations.” Or, as Davis puts it: “When it all comes together, it’s poetry.”

Watch the full film below.