AGX

“AVANT-GARDE EXPRESSION,” WAS A QUEER-OWNED STREETWEAR BRAND AND SHORT FILM SERIES CREATED BY ALICE “AJ” NICHOLS, AND CREATIVELY CO-DIRECTED BY BREA HAZELTON.

The earliest ideas for AGX’s geometric clothing came from AJ watching Marco Marco Fashion Shows, which showcased confident, queer people and drag artists in futuristic garments. Also, the costumes in AJ and her twin brother’s favorite childhood series-- Cartoon Network’s “Acceleracers” Series (2005). In the summer of 2015, AJ was unhappy with her life as a high school boy, and discovered RuPaul’s Drag Race. and Marco Marco. Marco Morante and Violet Chachki inspired AJ to begin sewing and designing clothes, so she asked her grandmother (who was a former seamstress) to teach her.

IT STARTED WITH AN AESTHETIC…

By the fall of 2017, AJ had begun her transition, and was living in a tiny concrete dorm room in Boston with a sewing machine on her desk. She had started watching Project Runway that Summer, as well, and wanted to become a designer. She joined Northeastern University’s Fashion & Retail Society, and in the Spring of 2018, picked up the Global Fashion Studies minor and took Margaret Koerber’s Fashion Construction & Patternmaking class. That is where the first AGX collection was born.

Picture by Chau Hyunh (IG @_rachelhuynh) outside Speare Hall at NEU (Fall 2017)

Picture by Chau Hyunh (IG @_rachelhuynh) outside my freshman dorm, Speare Hall at NEU (Fall 2017)

This was a drag-inspired look made from a deconstructed safety vest (Spring 2017)

…THE FIRST COLLECTION CAME OUT

SPRING 2018

AGX 1.0

“GENESIS”

“GENESIS” was intended to represent futuristic and progressive-styling through storytelling, and geometric, color-blocked and appliquéd streetwear. It opened the door to an aesthetic and a brand that would go on to make bold statements about finding self-confidence in identity and expression.

Model Cheryl Lin (IG @cheroarlin) wearing the "Buckle-Up" Crop Top. Shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) in Spring 2018 at Northeastern University.

AJ wearing a custom jacket (her final project for Fashion Construction & Patternmaking Class), and matching shorts, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) in Hermon, Maine.

Melody Rose wearing a custom bandeau, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) in Hermon, Maine, Summer 2018.

AGX customer wearing his shorts in Boston (Can't remember his name) Spring 2018

AJ wearing shorts at Northeastern University, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) in Spring 2018.

Model Cheryl Lin (IG @cheroarlin) wearing the "Buckle-Up" Crop Top in the basement of NEU's Speare Hall, Spring 2018.

AGX 1.9

“MORE THAN JUST A CLOTHING BRAND”

Before we released our second collection, we wanted to make a statement that AGX was more than just about clothes. We wanted to help other queer people feel confident in their bodies with androgynous clothes that they didn’t have to define themselves to wear.

"AGX is more than just a clothing brand, it's a fire inside of all of us. it empowers us to be proud of who we are."

“URBAN FIRE” was designed to show the ignition of a revolution. The concept of fire was meant to represent empowerment and uprising, coming out of a dark, underground place, where queer people exist safely. The grey and black sweatshirt fleece made the orange rayon appliqués pop, and the color-blocking and appliqués gave a cool, fresh streetwear look to an otherwise basic hoodie / sweatpants outfit.

“It’s a fire inside of all of us…”

Abhishek Majumdar (IG @abhi_traveller) wearing "URBAN FIRE" at Northeastern University, shot by Matt Woody (IG @mattwoodyyy) Fall 2018

AJ wearing "URBAN FIRE" at Northeastern University, shot by Matt Woody (IG @mattwoodyyy) Fall 2018

AJ wearing "URBAN FIRE" on Northeastern University's Renaissance parking garage, shot by Lauren Moy (IG @beta_alaurine) Fall 2018

Abhishek Majumdar (IG @abhi_traveller) wearing "URBAN FIRE" on Northeastern University's Renaissance parking garage, shot by Lauren Moy (IG @beta_alaurine) Fall 2018

AJ and Abhishek Majumdar (IG @abhi_traveller) wearing "URBAN FIRE" on Northeastern University's Renaissance parking garage, shot by Lauren Moy (IG @beta_alaurine) Fall 2018

AGX 2.1 “THE UNKNOWN” + AGX 2.2 “NIGHTMARE”

“UNKNOWN” and “NIGHTMARE” were designed to be the beginning of a narrative series, where AJ began talking about her transition openly for the first time. The videos introduced the color violet as a symbol of embracing and facing mystery and fear, especially with going into a gender transition and not knowing who I would become or how people would treat me.

“A step off the edge of what is familiar…”

AJ wearing a custom "Acceleracers - Silencerz" -inspired jacket, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) in Hermon, Maine in Winter 2018.

AJ wearing a custom "Acceleracers - Silencerz" -inspired jacket and helmet, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) in Hermon, Maine in Winter 2018.

AGX 2.3

“DYSPHORIA”

This campaign was directed exclusively by Brea Hazleton, designed to express the feelings of gender dysphoria that were tearing her body apart while she began her transition. Dysphoria was originally meant to be more of a documentary showcasing the early stages of Brea’s transition, and the events that led up to her taking those steps in her journey. However, due to production setbacks, it became more of a performance piece, personifying what dysphoria feels like.

"My body is like a puzzle, with all of the pieces forced together in the wrong way."

For our third collection, we decided to focus on how societal gender norms put pressure on and limit the expression of queer people and people in transition.

We mashed together the traditional “pink for girls” and “blue for boys” on the clothing, to represent gender diversity and fluidity. We also used grey to represent that there is a lot of grey area in the gender spectrum.

This collection also landed us a magazine article in FTM Magazine, and a feature on Northeastern University’s College of Arts, Media and Design website.

"Gender roles are like acid rain... corroding the self-esteem of young people."

Outtake of Camden Ador's (IG @rookandpine) FTM Magazine Shoot at Fordham University in NYC, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) Summer 2019.

AJ in a custom jumpsuit in Central Park, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) Summer 2019.

Adam Hyson (IG @adam_hero13) wearing "ACID RAIN," shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) Summer 2019.

AJ wearing "ACID RAIN," shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) Summer 2019.

AJ and Adam Hyson (IG @adam_hero13) wearing "ACID RAIN," shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) Summer 2019.

Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) wearing "ACID RAIN," Summer 2019.

AGX 3.1

“THE EXPERIMENT”

“THE EXPERIMENT” was designed to explore how AJ’s transition felt like a medical experiment, because she needed medications and surgeries to just be herself and acceptable to the male gaze.

The video is inspired by Mewtwo breaking out of the scientists’ lab in “Pokemon, The First Movie” (1998).

“LET THE EXPERIMENT BEGIN!”

AJ wearing a custom bodysuit, shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) at Cascade Park in Bangor, ME, Summer 2019.

Reagan Partridge (IG @reagan.partridge) wearing "ACID RAIN," shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) at Cascade Park in Bangor, ME, Summer 2019.

Brea Hazelton (IG @this_is_breannanana) wearing "ACID RAIN," shot by Ben Nichols (IG @ShadowPinesPhotography) at Cascade Park in Bangor, ME, Summer 2019.

“ANTHEM” was the last collection, and “last hurrah” for AGX. By the time the collection came out in the first week of December 2019, *someone else* had taken control of the brand and started “recruiting models.” AJ ended up hospitalized, and after escaping that person’s control, she gave up on the brand out of fear and embarrassment, because it was used to groom and hurt other young queer people— the exact opposite of the brand’s original mission.

The “ANTHEM” collection was meant to represent the “will of steel” queer people have to build in themselves in order to survive discrimination and violence. It was also a rallying cry for queer people to band together in solidarity, because we are stronger together.

AJ, Omolola "Lola" Ometoruwa (can't find IG) and Dino Rowan Traite (IG @dinorowan) wearing "ANTHEM," shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

Omolola "Lola" Ometoruwa (can't find IG) and Dino Rowan Traite (IG @dinorowan) wearing "ANTHEM," shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

Omolola "Lola" Ometoruwa (can't find IG) wearing "ANTHEM,"shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

AJ wearing "ANTHEM," shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

Dino Rowan Traite (IG @dinorowan) wearing "ANTHEM," shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

AJ wearing "ANTHEM" and a custom metal bandeau, shot by Lauren Moy (IG @beta_alaurine) on Northeastern University's Columbus Parking Garage, Fall 2019.

AJ wearing "ANTHEM" and a custom metal bandeau, shot by Lauren Moy (IG @beta_alaurine) at Northeastern University, Fall 2019.

AJ wearing "ANTHEM" and a custom metal bandeau, shot by Aanchal Dharmani (IG @aanchdharmani) on Cunard St., Boston, Fall 2019.

Kylee Roberts (IG @kyleerobertss) and Aung Thant (IG @dimpledumpling_) wearing "ANTHEM" on Columbus Ave. in Boston, shot by Aanchal Dharmani (IG @aanchdharmani) Fall 2019.

AJ, Kylee Roberts (IG @kyleerobertss) and Aung Thant (IG @dimpledumpling_) wearing "ANTHEM" on Columbus Ave. in Boston, shot by Aanchal Dharmani (IG @aanchdharmani) Fall 2019.

AJ wearing "ANTHEM" and a custom metal bandeau on Cunard St. in Boston, Fall 2019.

AJ in the "ANTHEM" campaign video, scene shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

AJ, Omolola "Lola" Ometoruwa (can't find IG) and Dino Rowan Traite (IG @dinorowan) in the "ANTHEM" campaign video, scene shot by (?) Ayden Georgi (IG @ayden_photo) on Huntington Ave in Boston, MA, Fall 2019.

Aunt Thant (IG @dimpledumping__) and AJ in the "ANTHEM" campaign video, scene shot by Aanchal Dharmani (IG @aanchdharmani) on Columbus Ave in Boston, Fall 2019.

"AGX is more than just a clothing brand, it's a fire inside of all of us. it empowers us to be proud of who we are."

AGX 1.9 “MORE THAN JUST A CLOTHING BRAND”
"When we are born, our hands are tied with colored ropes."

AGX 3.0 “ACID RAIN”
"Gender roles are like acid rain... corroding the self-esteem of young people."

AGX 3.0 “ACID RAIN”
"My body is like a puzzle, with all of the pieces forced together in the wrong way."

AGX 2.3 “DYSPHORIA”
"She is my puppetmaster, making my body an evil funhouse mirror."

AGX 2.3 “DYSPHORIA”

AGX

IT STARTED WITH AN AESTHETIC…

…THE FIRST COLLECTION CAME OUT

SPRING 2018

AGX 1.0

“GENESIS”

AGX 1.9

“MORE THAN JUST A CLOTHING BRAND”

"AGX is more than just a clothing brand, it's a fire inside of all of us. it empowers us to be proud of who we are."

“It’s a fire inside of all of us…”

AGX 2.1 “THE UNKNOWN” + AGX 2.2 “NIGHTMARE”

“A step off the edge of what is familiar…”

AGX 2.3

“DYSPHORIA”

"My body is like a puzzle, with all of the pieces forced together in the wrong way."

"Gender roles are like acid rain... corroding the self-esteem of young people."

AGX 3.1

“THE EXPERIMENT”

“LET THE EXPERIMENT BEGIN!”

"AGX is more than just a clothing brand, it's a fire inside of all of us. it empowers us to be proud of who we are."

"When we are born, our hands are tied with colored ropes."

"Gender roles are like acid rain... corroding the self-esteem of young people."

"My body is like a puzzle, with all of the pieces forced together in the wrong way."

"She is my puppetmaster, making my body an evil funhouse mirror."

THE LEGENDS OF AVERY (2021-2023)

THE WILL OF THE HUNTED™