challenge intentions.

topic: "fashion is a change of attitude" - Yves Saint Laurent 

Not a play on sexuality.

The latest fashion controversy leaves me questioning the value of contemporary design direction.

We have all dwelled on exaggeration and elaboration, even on fashion mayhem but never did I expect such lack of creativity to the point of humiliation.

Since the 1970's woman's liberation movement there is no doubting that androgyny is a timeless and well respect trend, but that was before it was overwhelmed by the extremities of designers such as John Galliano and Commes des Garcons.

Just because we have all taken to and adapted the women's tux and the mens satchel it does not give just cause to designers to undermine societies conventions?

Getting to the point, a man in a ruffled skirt, gold sequined tights or a fuchsia bomber jacket is not socially correct!

Whilst I don't condemn androgyny in sub-cultures nor as a fashion influence I find it demeaning to strip a man of his masculinity and dress him in woman's clothes!

Androgyny refers to the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics and it is clear that over time fashion has been attempting to blur such exteriors. It goes without saying that for the most part, this movement has been successful and influential but I cant help question why this way of styling has turned into mens dress up and stand up comedy!

Is a grown man strutting down the runway in a wedge heel, wait sorry, in a medge, classified as powerful? Im all in favor of gender equality and females taking a stand against passive stereotypes but I'm yet to meet a man that will voluntarily strip himself of his manhood.

The goths, punks, hippies and rockstars have it down, they have perfected the art of androgyny, but I don't see an average joe who follows mainstream fashion rocking a crop top any time soon!          

And as the industry does, if thats not enough, why not push the boundaries even further.

Meet Andrej Pejic.

Who, at only 19, is one of todays top paid models on the grounds that he can be whatever his designer wants him to be, literally.

He passes off as both a man and woman dependent on the clients requirements, double the chances of booking a job means double the income I guess.

Whilst I admire his courage and his evident self-esteem, I cant help question the intentions of our clearly unrestricted industry.

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3

Image Sources:

http://www.theurbanapparel.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Mens-Skirt2.JPEG

http://images.nymag.com/images/2/daily/fashion/08/07/28_skittedmen_lg.jpg

http://www.teampeterstigter.com/uploads/2009/12/BARRETT_MCFS10_055.jpg

http://www.anneofcarversville.com/storage/Andrej-pejic-damon-baker03.jpg?

http://socialitelife.com/andrej-pejic-blurring-gender-boundaries-02-2011/andrej-pejic-02222011-02