Buy Conner Ives’ Protect the Dolls t-shirt to support trans people

The slogan t-shirt is having a moment. Specifically, slogan tees worn by all your favourite designers, as they take a bow at the end of the fashion week catwalk. We’ve had Willy Chavarria sending messages of love in New York and Egonlab making a punny political statement. But most notable is the white shirt worn by Conner Ives as he closed out his AW25 collection in London this weekend.

ICYMI the t-shirt read ‘Protect the Dolls’, a term that refers to trans women, with links to 80s ballroom culture. It comes at a crucial time for trans people, especially in the US, where Donald Trump has recently declared that the government will only recognise two genders, and citizens are already being denied their preferred gender on their passports.

“As much as we are in peril, I didn’t want to create a show that created the feeling of peril,” the American designer told Dazed backstage at the show. “I’ve been so nurtured and supported by such beautiful and incredible women. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for the dolls.”

The statement was immediately met with a “groundswell of support”, inspiring Conner Ives to make his t-shirt more widely available. It goes on sale today at 5pm (UK time), with all proceeds going directly to Trans Lifeline. This US-based, trans-led organisation delivers potentially life-saving services, including direct emotional and financial support for trans people in crisis.

“The hotline connects trans people to a wider community, offering support and resources they need to survive and thrive,” says Ives in a statement. “Resources like this are now more important than ever, given the hostility and oppression the federal government has adapted towards trans people in America. I would not be where I am without the support I have been given by the dolls, so this is the least I could ever do to say thanks.”