A Story Led From Within

The vision for this team was clear: create a moment for Pride that feels authentically human, grounded in lived experience, and aligned with Oribe’s fashion heritage.

Rather than outsourcing the narrative, the “Proud to Be” campaign was built entirely in-house—an intentional choice that defines Oribe’s cultural programming. Every element of the campaign—from concept development and casting to production and final creative execution—was brought to life from the power of internal collaboration. Fourteen team members across Creative, Education, Marketing, and Digital came together to bring the vision to life, resulting in a campaign that is deeply rooted in the people and values of the brand.

Amanda Lepore

Model, singer, performance artist, night-life diva and self-proclaimed "international blonde bombshell."

“I met Oribe Canales at a party. He was really sweet! He lived for me, and what a kind, beautiful soul”

— Amanda Lepore

Anania

Internet personality, performance artist, and host of the digital quiz show Gaydar.

“The thing that keeps bringing me back is realizing I don't need to be perfect. I'm going to make mistakes. But I also am still worthy. I'm still talented and I'm great to be around. I'm a fun time.” 

— Anania

Ceyenne Doroshow

Performer, activist, and public figure in the trans rights' movements.

“I am proud because we are the most amazing people. We are resilient. We are not going anywhere and we have to fight for tomorrow, even if it looks like the end. We're still fighting.” 

— Ceyenne Doroshow

Maya Margarita

A DJ and multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores the deep connections between culture and music.

“The thing I wish people knew about trans people is just that we’re human. We laugh the same. We live the same. I'm proud of my trans sisters for continuing to exist and take up space. I'm proud of continuing to be resilient in the every day.”

— Maya Margarita

Hair as Archive: The Oribe Lens

Hair has always been more than style within the Oribe universe—it is identity, attitude, and storytelling material.

For Pride 2026, the hair looks drew direct inspiration from archival work by Oribe Canales, reimagined through the contemporary lens of stylist Joey George. The styles reference the expressive, editorial spirit of Oribe’s heritage while embracing the individuality of each talent.

Key Oribe products used to bring these looks to life include:

Maximista Thickening Spray

Thick Dry Finishing Spray

Superfine Strong Hair Spray

Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick

Each look reflects a balance between structure and freedom—polished yet personal, editorial yet deeply individual.

Artist Collaboration: Paco May

"Proud to Be" extends beyond photography through an original series of artworks commissioned by Brooklyn-based artist and illustrator Paco May.

A natural extension of Oribe's roots in artistry and fashion, the collaboration brings Paco's signature visual language, shaped by pop culture, drag, and the LGBTQIA+ communities of New York, into the campaign's creative universe.

Legacy: Proud to Be

At its core, “Proud to be” is about continuity—between generations, between artists and audiences, and between Oribe Canales’s legacy and the communities that continue to shape the brand today.

Pride lives in the people who built Oribe, who style it, who shoot it, and who speak for it. It lives in the chair where Oribe Canales once made space for everyone, and in the creative teams who continue to honor that ethos through action.

This campaign is not just about visibility—it is about belonging, care, and the ongoing work of telling stories that reflect the full spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Proud to be is not a statement. It is a lineage.