Androgynous Fashion & Models Creating Clarity for LGBTQ Communities

"Transgender" and "Unisex" Blurring the Lines of Runway Standards

Gender norms have long existed on international runways for decades - how much skin female models expose, how high and obtuse their heels should be, the defining body structure and type regarding thinness and curvy plus-sizes, among others. Although more flexibility exists with male models, they too have seen their share of scrutinizing - and for a smaller industry share, have more difficulty maintaining the same high demand and competitive income levels as their female counterparts. But all of this is slowly unravelling and changing well into 2015...Starting with the grey area of identifying as a "female" or "male" model in the first place...

Enter Casey Legler

Former Olympic swimming champ turned Ford model

Thirty-seven year old Casey Legler identifies herself as a female, but hangs with the guys in front of the camera. She has appeared on spreads such as Numero Homme and walked for Michael Bastian in structured and tailored menswear suits and jackets.

 

 Watch her story of her early beginnings here: 

Also, take a look at another model, Andreja Pejic

Formally known as Andrej

Former male model, Andreja Pejic identifies herself as a transgender who underwent sexual reassignment surgery in early 2014, crossing over from both menswear and women's wear with Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Jacobs in 2011 to appearing at London’s Fashion Week 2015 in women’s wear for the likes of Giles Deacon.

Pejic (left) and Legler (right) seen together

Unisex fashion is also a commonly recurring theme on the runways..

The Fall 2015 collaboration of the Kanye West x Adidas unisex collection also turned heads with some of its flesh-toned, bare bones apparel. It hovered over the concept of the human body acting as a naked canvas - literally where clothing could adorn both a male or female’s body and their clearly defined physiological differences .

As a fan of menswear-inspired fashion myself, I am won over by the popularity, exposure, and growing acceptance of this cross-pollination so to speak - girls wearing boxy, structured overcoats, penny loafers, and fedoras; guys in florals, cropped tops, and platforms just to name a few. Of course the idea is nothing new, each generation brings about the same cycle of trends from an existing decade - but the fact that bloggers, streetstyle photographers, and fashion lovers young and old are embracing it is such a refreshing view. 

What are your thoughts on androgyny, whether in fashion or upon models? 

Is it old or new news? Are there still many misconceptions about "gender" in the fashion world?

Leave your feedback and thoughts in the comments below.

References:

1. http://www.shewired.com/box-office/2013/05/03/15-reasons-swoon-over-casey-legler-fords-stunning-female-male-model
2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2014/11/11/andreja-pejic-and-the-rise-of-transgender-models/