
Androgynous Models Blur the Lines Between Genders
April 24, 2012
Androgynous models—who have a combination of masculine and feminine characteristics—are becoming more and more popular among world-class brand names like Givenchy. Since their gender can be so ambiguous, they can model either men or women’s clothes.
There are, however, significant differences between some of the most well-known androgynous models. For instance, Andrej Pejic is a Serbian gay male, whereas Lea T. is heterosexual and transgender. In 2011, Pejic modeled during Paris Fashion Week for Jean Paul Gauthier in women’s clothing, then for Mark Jacobs in menswear.
But what does it really mean that androgynous models are becoming more popular in fashion? Have we become a more accepting, less homophobic and transphobic society? We have become more accepting of the ambiguity androgyny invites. Fashion may be more about creating a certain aesthetic appeal than challenging stereotypes, but the success of Andrej Pejic and Lea T. shows that the general public is less afraid of blurring gender roles and identity.