“Designer, photographer and entrepreneur running Monnerville, a minimalist & ethical menswear label as well as an organic gay T-shirt brand.”
I was born in Paris but spent my youth between Martinique and Paris. Always wanting to live abroad I moved to Berlin but settled in Brighton.
We design premium minimalist and ethical athleisure style menswear.
👕 Combining functionality and sleek minimalist design for a confidence boosting fit.
💥 Smart and comfortable enough to work from home in yet stylish enough for a night out at your favourite bar.
🌱 We are also passionate about sustainability, so we source exclusively organic materials and produce in very small runs locally in West London.
Our Launch garment is called Urban Jersey.
🗼 Urban because this is no workout attire.
🏉 Jersey because it’s very much inspired by rugby and football (soccer) jerseys.
Why Urban Jersey
"When I was growing up in Paris, I was always warned that going out with sportswear on was ‘risky' for young black men. This is my chance to design the sustainable, smart yet sports-inspired apparel I wish I had when I was a teenager."
Pierre-Yves Monnerville, Founder.
I started the brand because I wanted to offer funny and cheeky yet empowering T-shirts for Bi, Gay and Trans men. Unapologaytic also pays tribute to Gay culture and history. It’s very important for me to promote positive messages because as a black gay man, I grew up alongside some friends and family members who were deeply ashamed of being black. The same feelings of shame were ingrained in me growing up gay... There again, we only use organic cotton, recycled polyester and vegan inks. The T-shirts are even made with renewable energy under the supervision of the FairWear Foundation.
Coming across Mapplethorpe’s Black Book at 15 made me want to be a photographer. I’m also a big fan of Edward Hopper as well as Caravaggio and hope to someday work out the difference between art and eroticism for myself (should there be one, obviously…).
Beyond the labels, however, I am more interested in people’s feelings and love exploring what we have in common despite our superficial differences whether it’s loneliness, search for validation, love and companionship, etc.
