Tag Archives: androgynous beauty

What Does it Mean to be Gender Fluid?

For many people, the terms ‘gender’ is interchangeably. Both Miley Cyrus and Ruby Rose have spoken publicly how they about identifying as gender fluid. But what exactly is it and is it on the rise? If you’re not familiar with the term, gender fluidity refers to somebody viewing themselves as both male and female.

Some gender fluid people will alter their clothing depending on whether they feel more masculine or feminine while for others it’s a state of mind that they don’t outwardly express.

While you might have put Miley’s transition from girlie Hannah Montana to her current androgynous style down to fashion preference, but the child star has announced she doesn’t want to be boxed into one gender identity.

She recently told Out.

I didn’t want to be a boy … I kind of wanted to be nothing. I don’t relate to what people would say defines a girl or a boy, and I think that’s what I had to understand: Being a girl isn’t what I hate, it’s the box that I get put into.”

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Also read: Miley Cyrus: “I’m Not Hiding My Sexuality”

Meanwhile, Ruby Rose, soon to be star of Orange Is The New Black, shared a rare insight into being gender fluid in her short film Break Free, where she transitioned from an ultra feminine version of herself with long blonde hair to a masculine version in a suit.

The only reason it was a surprise was because gender fluidity doesn’t get talked about enough. Once the film went viral, the floodgate opened; to me, that said that this was something much bigger than I thought it was.”

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Gender is all around us. It is actually taught to us from the moment we are born. Gender expectations and messages bombard us constantly. Upbringing, culture, peers, schools, community, media, and religion are some of the many influences that shape our understanding of this core aspect of self. How you learned and interacted with gender as a young child directly influences how you view the world today.

However, the diversity of gender is a normal part of the human experience, across cultures and throughout history.

Non-binary gender diversity exists all over the world, documented by countless historians and anthropologists. Examples of individuals living comfortably outside of typical male/female expectations and/or identities are found in every region of the globe.

The calabai, and calalai of Indonesia, two-spirit Native Americans, and the hijra of India all represent more complex understandings of gender than allowed for by a simplistic binary model.

Further, what might be considered gender-expansive in one period of history may become gender normative in another.

One need only examine trends related to men wearing earrings or women sporting tattoos to quickly see the malleability of social expectations about gender. Even the seemingly intractable “pink is for girls, blue is for boys” notions are relatively new. While there is some debate about the reasons why they reversed, what is well documented is that not until the mid-twentieth century were notions of pink for girls or blue for boys so firmly ensconced.

So, you can make the case that “pink is the new blue!”

Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of a person’s identity, gender deeply influences every part of their life.

In a society where this crucial aspect of self has been so narrowly defined and rigidly enforced, individuals who exists outside its norms face innumerable challenges.

Even those who vary only slightly from the norm can become targets of disapproval. Yet this does not have to be the case forever. Through a thoughtful consideration of the uniqueness and validity of every person’s experiences of self, we can develop greater acceptance for all.

Not only will this create greater inclusion for individuals who challenge the norms of gender, it will actually create space for all individuals to more fully explore and celebrate who they are.

 

Erika Linder: “I Don’t Want to be Labeled”

Former soccer player and self-described tomboy from Sweden, Erika Linder is famed for showcasing her androgyny in campaigns for Tom Ford, a Vogue Italia spread, and even a Katy Perry music video.

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In fact, her first-ever photo shoot, she posed — convincingly — as a young Leonardo DiCaprio circa his Nineties film “The Basketball Diaries.” It was a gig that marked the start of a versatile career path.

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Speaking with wwd.com the model recalled that period of time

Yeah. And back then, it wasn’t really happening as much. No one was really out there doing that. This guy hit me up who runs Candy magazine — Terry Richardson and Bruce Weber had shot for it — they shoot boys like girls and vice versa. This guy said, “I want to shoot you as young Leonardo DiCaprio from ‘The Basketball Diaries.’” The agency was like, “No, no, no.” They were weirded out about it. And I said, “But I would do that even if I wasn’t a model!” So I ended up doing it anyway. It was my first photo shoot.”

Back then she was 21, now she is 24-year-old and Los Angeles-based model, who lives with her girlfriend and their dog Butters.

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I’m not out there saying, ‘I’m a guy,’ I don’t want to be labeled. At the end of the day, I’m a girl. I don’t want to have a sex change. I don’t want to only model the men’s stuff. I’m just good at doing both.”

In addition to modeling, Linder, who at times bears a subtle resemblance to model Daria Werbowy and at others the late River Phoenix, also acts, plays music and recently launched a namesake unisex apparel line.

I had wanted to launch a unisex line for like a year. My friend in L.A. was like, “I’ll run the business and you will be the face of it.” We came up with a few things like hoodies, beanies, snapbacks, baseball shirts — very plain stuff. I’m having fun with it. Things are still in production, but people have been ordering it from Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden.”

But she is not limited to just fashion, Linder has her eyes set on other things.

I wanna do movies, I wanna do music when I’m not shy about it….I love outdoor stuff. I want to go to Yellowstone. But for me, at the end of this whole crazy thing, I just want to get a house in Sweden somewhere in the countryside with my dogs. That’s it.

Kristen Stewart Flaunts the Androgynous Look for Chanel Eyewear Campaign

The now androgynous beauty, Kristen Stewart, has spent plenty of time in front of the camera as the female lead, but for her latest campaign for Chanel, she stepped behind the lens.

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The 24-year-old Twilight Saga star has been signed up to model Chanel’s sunglasses and opticals range for spring/summer 2015, but for the shoot Stewart had a bit of a role reversal, facing off against Karl Lagerfeld with a camera.

In a statement, the French fashion house said the black and white images show the actress becoming ‘a charming photo-reporter, her gaze framed by the new optical eyewear and sunglasses’.

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What we see, is that she can work a variety of frame shapes, from aviator to square frames.

On Chanel’s website, you’ll find more photos, and you can watch Kristen work all of the styles in a behind-the-scenes video.

GQ’s ‘Woman Of The Year’ is Rightly Given to Tilda Swinton

Brit-born actress, Tilda Swinton, has had an amazing year – featuring in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Snowpiercer and Only Lovers Left Alive.

However, her best role in 2014 was the same one she’s been reprising for the past fifty-four years: herself. And to honour this GQ magazine has just revealed her as their ‘Woman Of The Year’.

“I don’t really look like people in films; I look like people in paintings.”

Tilda Swinton

Swinton has honed her own signature when it comes to fashion and acting. Her androgynous beauty allows her to play everything from a Caravaggio muse to winter snow Queens.

Her fashion choices (like her movie roles) tend to stray from the Hollywood norm. From menswear-inspired pieces, to strong architectural details, and this is why the actress is key candidate for 2014’s most original and visionary women.

Here, we pick our favourite Swinton fashion moments of 2014.

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The Art of Androgyny – Androgynous Models Turning Gender Expectations Inside Out

Sexual ambiguity is in, and to celebrate we’ve listed out the hottest models to take into consideration for rocking gender identity.

Here 10 androgynous models turning gender expectations inside out

1. Ari Fitz (@itsarifitz)

It’s like an unspoken trust – that i will give them something powerful, unique, and new … every time i create.”

Ari Fitz

2. Jana Knauer (@janaknauer)


When you start your career as a fashion model, you usually know what the industry likes about you most. It is either your agent who tells you right away, or you will learn on jobs… for me: eyebrows.”

Jana Knauer

3. Elliott Sailors (@Elliottsailors)

It was a natural transition earlier on in my career, I would get frustrated because I thought I looked too masculine. I have a strong jaw, wide forehead, huge eyebrows. I thought I looked like a man wearing make-up… One of my favorite things, actually, about working in menswear is that people are much more direct about what they want.”

Elliott Sailors

4. Beck Holladay (@mickeypancake)

…dressing like a boy and having the biggest hair”

Beck Holladay

5. Erika Linder (@richiephoenix)


The fashion world always changes. You can’t keep up and it’s not something I keep up with to be honest. I think it’s hard for androgynous models to really get known or get a good gig. This world in general is hard to get into and do well I reckon. It all depends on how far you wanna go. I just imagine that I wanna be the best that I can be…”

Erika Linder

6. Courtney McCullough (@courtneymccullough6)


I find utter enjoyment in travel planning and researching rather than leaving it up to a travel agent. In another life, I’d be THE perfect travel agent; just give me a budget and what you’re looking for and I’ll create the perfect trip for you.”

Courtney McCullough

7. Agathe Mougin (@agathemougin)


8. Agyness Deyn (@agynessdeyn)


When I started modeling, I didn’t have a fucking clue what I was doing. Actually, I still don’t know what I’m doing while modeling. But at the beginning, it was like, “Oh, god, is this right? Is it not?” So I’m kind of going through that again, but I think it’s a discovery, which is fun.”

Agyness Deyn

Tilda Swinton: Suited Muse

Tilda Swinton has honed her own signature when it comes to fashion, and at KitschMix we simply can’t get enough. Her androgynous beauty allows her to play everything from a Caravaggio muse to winter snow Queens.

Her fashion choices (like her movie roles) tend to stray from the Hollywood norm. From menswear-inspired pieces, to strong architectural details; Swinton is always guaranteed to shy away from the mainstream and wear something unexpected.

There is a reason the actress and fashion muse has been touted as one of today’s most original and visionary dressers.

Here, we pick our favourite Swinton fashion moments.

The New Prince(ss) of Androgynous Style; Fashion Model, Erika Linder

Erika Linder is androgynous modelling royalty, cultivating a successful career by creating her own modelling category. Neither feminine, nor masculine.

The fashion world always changes. You can’t keep up and it’s not something I keep up with to be honest. I think it’s hard for androgynous models to really get known or get a good gig. This world in general is hard to get into and do well I reckon. It all depends on how far you wanna go. I just imagine that I wanna be the best that I can be…

I feel like you have to be to get somewhere. Not pretend to be anything that you’re not. It’s easier for me. The term of being consider as an androgynous model is not something I really care about like that, not something I think about but I love doing both. It’s fun and interesting. I love getting into character. I’d be bored just doing one of the two. I’m just having loads of fun with it.

I have has pretty much embraced everything I’ve done. To be honest I feel like one of the first photo shoots I’ve done as a young Leonardo DiCaprio for Candy magazine back in 2011 made a big difference. It was the shoot that made people realize that I could shoot as both genders. I have done so much in such little time, it’s crazy. Commercial stuff mixed with edgy work and everything goes hand in hand so every little thing counts.

That’s what’s so great about it. Everything just works well together by being completely different. I have some major stuff coming out still, campaigns, movies, music and designing so I’m looking forward to that.”

Erika Linder

Photographed by Graham Dunn at I Heart Reps

Challenging Gender Perceptions – Did Ruby Rose ‘Break Free’ Video Get this Right?

As a masculine-of-centre woman (and a lesbian at that) things are likely far from a walk in the park. Society already has harsh expectations embedded in it that suggest that it’s only ok for men to be masculine and for women to be feminine – any blurring of the lines is simply unacceptable.

So when a woman not only abandons a feminine dress sense, her perceived female identity and is open and proud about her sexuality too, there are always going to be calls against her from the groups of ignorant people.

Bring on DJ Ruby Rose then, who identifies as gay and is known for her more masculine fashion sense and her roster of impressive tattoos as much as she is for her music. In her new music video for ‘Break Free’ she challenged these perceptions by depicting her transformation from feminine to masculine over the course of the song.

The video didn’t just catch flack from ignorant people though, as it actually caused offense to those who it was meant to honour. According to Rose, the video is “about gender roles, Trans, and what it is like to have an identity that deviates from the status quo”.

However, in the video she seemed to depict a gender fluid character who let go of their femininity to become more masculine – something Rose depicted by using a binder and a fake penis. Some have called Rose out on the fact that she did not publicly identify as trans* nor gender fluid (at the time the video was posted).

Therefore she had no right to depict such an identity, which is perhaps valid given how many actual trans-men, women and those who are gender fluid already have trans* and gender fluid characters’ roles in the media given to cis-gendered people. However, after posting the video online, Ruby Rose did come out as gender fluid saying that she identifies as neither a man nor a woman.

Meanwhile, one YouTube commenter says that “I don’t like this [sic] videos idea of a male image.” failing to realise that these attributes are often accepted and even celebrated when displayed on cis-gendered men. Another plainly said “You’re going too far, it’s confusing.”

But what does Rose say to these haters? In a statement to Cosmopolitan Australia she said this,

“You know what needs to stop just as much as homophobia, bullying within the LGBT Community… A ‘bisexual’ isn’t just greedy… ‘Pansexual’ exists and isnt a cop out.. ‘Straight’ people can be huge gay advocates and blessings to the community…

You can identify as trans without surgery, you can be gender fluid… In fact guess what… you can be whoever you are and like whoever you like and WE should spread the love and acceptance we constantly say we don’t receive.”

Ruby Rose

Meet Nikki Eason, Creator of the Web Series ‘The Androgynous Model’

Thirty years old, Nikki Eason is doing something different and inspiring for the gay scene. Under the umbrella of her marketing company, Between Us, Eason has launched a web series called ‘The Androgynous Model’.

The series was created to help all people who struggle to be accepted for who they truly are in efforts of being able to offer a platform of change within the industry for androgynous people.

The Androgynous Model web series has gained attention globally in such a short amount of time. The show and I have been featured in the October ’13 weekly issue for Creative Loafing Charlotte, and the March ’14 issue of Curve Magazine. We have also had features on websites such as DAPPERQ, Iambalexander and takinoverradio.com to name a few…

My vision and the series was created to help all people who struggle to be accepted for who they truly are in efforts of being able to offer a platform of change within the industry for androgynous people.

Nikki Eason

Nikki Eason – Behind the Androgynous Model

Tomboy Beauty | How Much is too Much

As a total femme, and beauty therapist I LOVE beauty treatments, make up and anything that makes me look and feel better. But I like my girls to be, well, a kind of boys.

I like my partner to have natural (always bare) nails, no visible make up, and never EVER heels. However there are a few treatments I think tomboys can embrace.

Brows

My God brows are the absolute ultimate importance. I notice bad brows at a hundred paces, and they are all I can focus on. They frame your face – and they can be done very subtly (GuyBrows, I call them). So I can imagine most readers are sat there thinking “I have no idea if mine are good or not?”

There are a few simple rules to follow. Get to a mirror and find something with a straight edge to use as a guide….

Rule 1 Distance between brows – The start of each brow should be about in line with your tear ducts. Too far apart and you look odd. Someone said a “Lion face” once! Too close and we are in mono brow territory.

Rule 2 Taper Taper Taper – Thick to middle to thin. A gradual taper. No tadpoles, semi circles and jumps. Think natural and contoured.

Rule 3 The Arch – Look straight ahead and find the white triangle outside your iris. This is your safe zone. Draw a line up from here and that is where the highest part of your brow should sit.

Lash Tint

No you don’t have to look like you have mascara on. You can get a tint with brown or even light brown and just enhance your lashes subtly. It works and no one will know you have had them done!

Tan

A light spray tan to take the deathly white glow from your skin works wonders! Teeth and eyes appear whiter, skin healthier and more flawless, and let’s face it you always look slimmer with a tan. Gradual tans are a great option as you can build up the colour. Try Sun-Believable Gradual Tan in Medium.

Nails

Get a manicure or at least file and buff your nails regularly. When I say buff, yes you can get them to a glass like shine, but if you don’t fancy that then just miss out the shine bit! Try Trio Buffer and Crystal Nail file, both by Leighton Denny. No more biting, clipping or peeling. We want nice smooth snag free nails near our precious foof please . Don’t fancy a pedicure? See a Chiropodist – its more medical than beauty and a decent one can make your hooves look at least presentable and healthy.

Make up

You can still wear it whilst looking natural. Guys wear it on TV all the time, in fact on X Factor the male contestants had foundation, concealer, powder, contouring, brow gel and lip balm applied (Over their spray tans!)

  • Banish shine with a mattifying primer such as Benefit Professional
  • Conceal blemishes with a tinted moisturiser such as followed by a concealer such as Mac Studio
  • Finish SPF 35 Concealer (always make sure you get colour matched)
  • Or opt for a matt bronzer (no shimmer) such as Benefit Hoola
  • Brows can be kept in check with a brow gel such a Mac Brow Set in Clear
  • Clear mascara will make lashes look longer, healthy and glossy -try Miss Sporty Just Clear Mascara, or opt for a natural brown shade of any brand to enhance without drawing too much attention.
  • Keep lips kissable with a balm with minimal shine such as Burts Bees Lipbalm
  • So whatever your thing, you can still look groomed whilst retaining your natural beauty.

Breaking free: Ruby Rose Transforms From Female to Male

Watch Ruby Rose use the power of the visual to communicate her views on sexuality and gender.

Taking to Facebook this week, the 28-year-old shared her debut short film ‘Break Free’ – transforming her feminine look into that of a man (bandaging her chest and wearing a sex toy).

The video starts, with Ruby wearing long blonde hair, and the picture of femininity as she stares into the mirror. The model then sets her eyes on a pair of scissors, the music kicks in as she grabs for them and starts tapping her forehead with the blades, before another shot of the star again staring into the mirror ended the short clip.

After some consideration she starts chopping at her hair and the transformation begins – transforming her do into a pixie crop look similar to the hairstyle she currently sports. She then scrubs her smooth skin to reveal the array of bold statement tattoos that she sports on her arms and neck. Taking her transformation to the next level, she bandages her chest and straps on a dildo before swapping her fitted frock for a smart suit. Hot!

Engaged to fashion designer Phoebe Dahl, Ruby revealed earlier this year in April that she had longed to undergo a female to male transition when she was younger. Referring to her current androgynous style, she said seeing recent pictures of herself reminded her of feelings she had about her gender many years ago…

‘It’s weird, some of the androgynous photos I have taken lately really make me wonder what i’d have looked like if I did a FTM (Female to male) transition like I wanted to when I was younger,’

But Ruby then said she is now at peace with her appearance and went on to explain that in her Facebook post.

‘Happy how I am.. I am a woman, but I would have been just as comfortable as a boy. I know a lot of people don’t understand that, but I know a few of you do’

 
BTS of ‘Break Free’. A short film about gender fluidity.

I *heart* Grace Jones – May Disco Live On

Some iconic celebrities remain set in their era, or reinvent themselves as they grow into the next. The compelling, iconic draw of Grace Jones is by no means subject to time or to passing fads. She was a striking presence as a model, with her angular face and her lithe body, she radiated self-possession. Jones embraced her androgynous beauty, wearing both women’s and men’s fashion alike so well and so distinctively that the influence of her image continues from the 1980’s and lasts until today. While widespread and much imitated, the style of Grace Jones remains unmistakable.

Jones’ celebrity status was not only a matter of looks. The multi-talented Grace Jones also had a memorable singing voice. Her silken belt could breathe life into disco and lounge jazz tunes alike. The diversity and versatility of her talents, in addition to her adventurous style, made her the right fit as a performance regular in New York’s famous Studio 54 multimedia night club. Well into her fourth decade of performance art, Jones continues to perform and tour the world.

When it came to action films with challenging stunts, Jones proved that she could hold her own amongst Hollywood werewolves, vampires, barbarians of sword-and-sorcery fantasy, and even James Bond himself. For the Saturn Awards, Jones had been nominated numerous times for her supporting roles in Conan the Destroyer and View to a Kill.

An autobiography of Grace Jones is currently in the works, slated for release in the autumn of 2014. Fans of the iconic Grace Jones can look forward to her fond memories of collaborating with famous artist Andy Warhol and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. New fans can come to a deeper appreciation of the influential and irrepressible Grace Jones, and be taken back to a time where aesthetics and expression blossomed into a kaleidoscope of life. We can thank icons such as Grace Jones for both preserving this zeitgeist and keeping it alive—perhaps, even, creating it.

An autobiography of Grace Jones is currently in the works, slated for release in the autumn of 2014. Fans of the iconic Grace Jones can look forward to her fond memories of collaborating with famous artist Andy Warhol and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. New fans can come to a deeper appreciation of the influential and irrepressible Grace Jones, and be taken back to a time where aesthetics and expression blossomed into a kaleidoscope of life. We can thank icons such as Grace Jones for both preserving this zeitgeist and keeping it alive—perhaps, even, creating it.