In a world craving new narratives and inclusive spaces, Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit emerges not just as a fundraiser but as a vibrant celebration of trans joy, creativity, and resistance. Spearheaded by actor Bobbi Salvör Menuez and Willbees founder John Mollett, this three-part campaign harnesses the power of fashion, community, and activism to support the Trans Justice Funding Project, a grassroots organization dedicated to redistributing resources to trans-led initiatives across the United States. With a runway show, auction, and party, plus artist collaborations and surprise closet sales, the event encapsulates a decade of collaboration, collective spirit, and an urgent reimagining of societal myths rooted in patriarchy. It is a beacon of hope, resilience, and beauty that redefines what it means to protect and uplift trans communities today.
The genesis of mother, daughter, Holy spirit
Not every fashion event commands front-row seats from icons like Madonna or features star-studded attendees such as Cynthia Nixon and model Alex Consani. Few have the honor of dressing Connie Fleming in Pedro Pascal’s 2023 Oscars suit—now auctioned as part of the fundraiser. But Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit is no ordinary fashion show. It is a groundbreaking hybrid of runway, auction, and party, born from the partnership of Menuez and Mollett, marking their fourth major fundraiser yet their most ambitious to date.
Their previous collaboration, the 2021 “I <3 Me” campaign supporting G.L.I.T.S. (Gays & Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), laid the groundwork for this expansive project. With Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit, they aimed higher—to create not just an event, but a community-driven movement. “We wanted to go bigger,” Menuez explains, underscoring the deep commitment behind the project. Mollett recalls the early days, feeling the urgency amid the 2024 election cycle: “Let’s put our brains and creativity together. Who knows if it will succeed? But here we are now.”
A platform for trans joy, creativity, and resistance
The inaugural event, “Mother,” took place in New York’s One for One, blending traditional runway glamour with the raw energy of ball culture. The show was a kaleidoscope of style and expression—archival Jean Paul Gaultier mingling with streetwear, vibrant blue eyeshadow with vintage leather, and even playful touches like paper grocery bags filled with flowers and baguettes. The crowd, just as eclectic, mirrored this vibrant patchwork.
While designers like Willy Chavarria, Tanner Fletcher, Vaquera, and Diotima showcased spectacular pieces, the true heart of the event lay beyond fashion itself. It brought together an unprecedented mix of people, from Chase Strangio, the first openly trans attorney to argue before the Supreme Court, to media personalities like Mia Khalifa. The runway was less a commercial display and more a powerful statement: celebrating trans lives through beauty as a form of resistance. “It was about creating beauty and joy as a form of community and resilience,” Mollett says. “People were looking for something that could uplift and unify.”
Building a village: Collaboration and community
From the outset, Menuez and Mollett envisioned a multi-faceted initiative—one that could harness their networks, engage a broad audience, and raise funds effectively. But as the project evolved, Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit took on a life of its own. “It became about calling the village into the square,” Menuez reflects. This meant combining high fashion with accessible art, incorporating designer pieces alongside artist t-shirts, and ending with a celebratory party.
The team’s network organically expanded, fueled by shared passion. Mollett connected with stylist Julie Ragolia, Menuez ran into Paloma Elsesser who linked her to Alex Consani, and unexpected friendships blossomed. Production head Lío Mehiel joined after a casual Instagram message, drawn by the project’s mission. “There was a force beyond us flowing through it,” Menuez says, describing the magnetic energy surrounding the fundraiser.
This energy translated into a unique curation style—less about strict criteria, more about who was engaged and committed. “We planted seeds,” Mollett explains, “and some grew into wildflowers.” The open, inclusive approach allowed the community to thrive and expand naturally.
Creativity as activism: Designer and artist contributions
Designer Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen, known for transforming discarded textiles into sculptural garments, describes her collaboration as a “dream.” She created a stomacher tank and bustle skirt from linens once used at Menuez’s wedding, infusing personal and historical meaning into wearable art. For Whalen, the project was about using beauty to uplift a threatened community amid a hostile political climate.
Her work exemplifies how Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit fuses artistic innovation with social activism. Other designers contributed runway pieces and closet sale donations from notable figures like Julia Fox and Chloë Sevigny. The “Daughter” closet sales, ongoing through May, feature surprise drops combining runway looks and iconic wardrobes, including Pedro Pascal’s Oscars suit.
Reimagining patriarchy and centering matrilineal wisdom
Beyond fundraising, Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit carries a deeper cultural message. It challenges the entrenched “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” mythology that underpins patriarchal society, offering instead a vision rooted in matrilineal wisdom and community care. Mehiel reflects, “Queer and trans communities survive through chosen families and the love of many ‘trans mothers.’ What if we allowed ourselves to rewrite the stories we live by?”
This reimagining speaks directly to trans people and children everywhere—offering affirmation that a loving, joyful community exists, one that embraces beauty and life. “We aren’t going anywhere,” Menuez affirms. Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit stands as a testament to the power of collective love, creative resistance, and the unyielding fight for trans liberation.
Looking forward: More than a fundraiser
As Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit moves into its next phases, Menuez, Mollett, and Mehiel emphasize this is just the beginning. The project taps into a widespread hunger for life-affirming, community-led activism that centers trans voices and celebrates trans lives.
This fundraiser transcends fashion or charity alone. It is a movement, a vibrant community, and a radical call to reimagine society on terms of love, creativity, and justice. For trans people everywhere, it sends a powerful message: you are seen, you are valued, and your beauty and joy are revolutionary.
