CULVER CITY – When August Getty took the microphone at the Los Angeles Blade’s Next Generation of Pride last month, his voice was gravely but his pride was beaming out.  Not only was he there to represent the Ariadne Getty Foundation, a sponsor of the event and a key supporter of the Los Angeles Blade, but he was there, entourage in tow, living it out loud and proud.

The night before, at a luxe private event in Los Angeles, Getty not only celebrated his birthday but the presentation of a years in the making fashion line, a vision he calls TINITUS. It’s a vision that he has expressed as his own gender non-conforming journey has taken him on a spiritual path, and that journey is part of what TINITUS deals with.

August Getty Atelier launched in 2014 during New York Fashion week, and has been on the rise ever since. Since his standout debut, Getty’s fashion has been seen on the world’s most exclusive red carpets – The Oscars, The Met Gala and more – and he has dressed some of the hottest celebrities including Zendaya, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry – to name a few. 

“My clothing is for everyone, every shape, every size, every walk of life. People always ask me, “Where would I wear that to?!” I simply reply, “Starbucks,” Getty told the Los Angeles Blade a week after the successful launch of TINITUS his most recent collection.

Getty’s most recent collection, TINITUS was showcased virtually during Paris Fashion Week in March 2021. Digital renderings of his haute couture gowns floated above surreal alien worlds, created in a partnership with the Institute of Digital Fashion, a London-based digital content group. TINITUS was officially launched on July 7th with a stunning collection of photos taken by prolific fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth.

One of the models, August Getty’s sister-in-law Gigi Gorgeous Getty, is especially resplendent in a stunning floor-length skirt and beaded top. Gigi Gorgeous Getty coincidentally met her future husband, August’s brother Nats Getty, at a Paris Fashion Week event for August Getty Atelier. 

Taking time off from his idyllic vacation in Italy, August Getty chatted with the Blade about TINITUS, Miami drag and wearing couture to Starbucks.

What inspired the name for the collection, TINITUS?

The collection being named TINITUS came very easily to me. I wanted a name that described a personal moment of self-acceptance and transformation—where darkness turns to light. The name comes from the word “tinnitus,” which is a hearing condition I share with a very close loved one in my life. It’s a constant ringing in the ear—but instead of viewing in a dark way, I choose to view it beautifully. 

What inspirations did you pull from to create the collection?

I pulled inspirations from many places for TINITUS, from English mythology to Salvador Dali paintings. I needed this world to be a treasure chest of artistic references. An important part of this process was looking at something that’s abstract and make sense of it in my own life, art, and vision. In some of the garments, you may even see imagery reminding you of some of my past collections. This was to evoke the feeling of familiarity and yet positive change.

What was the largest challenge in creating TINITUS?

The hardest part was entering a digital space where I had to give complete trust to our collaborators, I was entering their world while creating my own. The experience turned out to be quite remarkable. I learned a lot about both patience and trust, and I am forever grateful. I’ve applied the things that I’ve learned further into our company and into our own website.

How does TINITUS relate to your previous collections? 

A common thread between each of my collections is my craft of storytelling. Every collection is very different from the last but with detailed elements which keep the DNA of our atelier evolving. Throughout my previous work, there has also been the reference of the infamous “Getty Girl,”  a polarizing mystical being that surpasses time. This collection was different. This story is less surreal and is something more relatable and personal to everyone, not just myself.

Who do you design clothes for? Is there an abstract customer or client you create for?

My clothing is for everyone, every shape, every size, every walk of life. People always ask me, “Where would I wear that to?!” I simply reply, “Starbucks.” My personal journey through gender and coming out as non-binary has taught me so much, and it has made my work and my demand for inclusively that much louder. 

Where do you hope to take August Getty Atelier next?

Oh my gosh, I just finished my collection! Let me sit down for a moment!  I’m just kidding, I am already working our next collection for Paris Haute Couture Week next fall. You’ll have to wait and see though—I’m sworn to secrecy.

Tell us about the casting process for modeling – who do you choose to rep your work and why?

The model casting is such a fond memory of mine. Something that photographer Ellen von Unwerth and I wanted to evoke was personality and passion, so it was important to select a diverse cast who embodied this. I invited Ellen to The Palace, a very well-known drag bar in Miami. I introduced her to my friends, and she watched them perform. I think she was quite amazed, and we couldn’t stop smiling. All our models are so incredible, and we remain close. 

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The collection has a beautiful story of self-acceptance, what compelled you to spotlight that?

Self-acceptance—and acceptance overall—is something the world needs, and especially with the tough year in 2020, I needed to do my part. To use my craft and hopefully show just one person that they are not alone, to let people know they’re going to be okay. I’ve been there, I’m still there, but now we have each other. 

Biggest design influence? Who inspires you?

You do, our beautiful LGBTQIAA+ community. 

To learn more, visit www.augustgetty.com. Instagram @augustgettyatelier.