Interview: LA Label No Sesso Talk Nonconformity & Community Building

Italian for “no sex/no gender,” No Sesso is the Los Angeles fashion house founded by Pierre Davis in 2015. She helms the brand with Autumn Randolph and Arin Hayes; together they’ve created a line that challenges the conventions of fashion, art, culture and design. A community powered brand that focuses on empowering people of all colours, shapes, and identities, No Sesso have become known for their dynamic collections featuring plentiful prints, reconstructed materials, and most notably, their signature hand embroidery. Championing nonconformity, No Sesso celebrates the community it serves with their collections, fashion presentations, parties and educational initiatives. To learn more about the label and what the team have planned next, Something Curated spoke with No Sesso’s Pierre Davis, Arin Hayes and Autumn Randolph.

Something Curated: Can you give us some insight into your respective backgrounds; how did you enter this field?

Arin Hayes: I was born and raised in LA by super Christian and conservative parents, along with my two other siblings. I feel like I was always really into fashion. Maybe because I’m a Taurus and we’re ruled by Venus, but there is no way I inherited it from my parents. But from a young age, I always gravitated to the arts — drawing, painting, singing, acting, etc. and my parents and grandmother really helped facilitate those activities. In high school, when I had a lot more autonomy in how I presented myself, I started doing a deep dive into fashion, and my overall appearance. I took in as much fashion as I could from Tumblr, films, articles, YouTube, etc.

When it was time for me to decide on my plans for university, being 17, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to go to NY. My dad convinced me to apply to USC, his alma mater, and he knew I was also interested in working in film. I ended up getting accepted into their School of Cinematic Arts. By my sophomore year, I knew the film industry was not for me for the time being. Mentally I checked out and started spending more time in the LA artist/underground party scene. That summer, I met Pierre, and the rest is history.

Autumn Randolph: I was born and raised In Los Angeles with my parents and four siblings. With me being the youngest, I definitely learned a lot from them through academia or athletics and their drive. My mother and I created a lot together, and I have watched her make anything out of nothing and this has definitely been the gateway into my art, style, and design career. I spent most of my youth and school experiences dancing and got somewhat into fashion. After high school, I did some schooling in California, some dancing in New York, some retail and other creative projects, but I never knew I would be heavily involved with a brand or space that didn’t feel outside of myself.

SC: How was No Sesso born, and how would you describe its ethos?

Pierre Davis: No Sesso was born because I couldn’t relate to the clothing I saw in retail stores. I wanted to make garments that fit me, and people who identify like me.

AH: I’d say the ethos is ‘total freedom.’ It’s about self-power, and liberating your spirit, mind, and then the body. Of course, we especially champion Black femmes and Black/QPOC, but No Sesso is for everyone.

SC: What are you working on at present, and how has the pandemic affected your way of working?

PD: We are currently working on our SS2021 collection. Because of the pandemic, we were forced to work at a slower pace. The fashion district closed for a while, which stopped us from getting the materials we needed. However, I have been enjoying working at a slower pace.

SC: Could you expand on your collaborative dynamic?

AH: First, off we’re not only friends or even family. We’re kind of a coven. The energy we have between us is so thick and palpable, and it feels like it gets stronger all the time. We don’t agree on everything, of course, but we are always thinking and feeling on very similar wavelengths. We go about most projects in a very collaborative fashion. We all have input on just about everything, but we know how to navigate and come to a happy medium without stepping on anyone’s toes.

SC: What materials or processes are you enjoying exploring currently?

PD: During the pandemic, I started embroidering more because of the time I have to do it.

SC: What do you want to learn more about?

PD: I’m always studying the art of couture and different techniques to use on garments.

AH: I want to learn more about how we can effectively and quickly save our planet.



Feature image: No Sesso FW20 Campaign / Images courtesy No Sesso