Inspiration on The Screens – Androgynous Fashion
Androgynous fashion cannot be considered only as a 21st-century concept. A pleated skirt belongs in the wardrobe of a man the maximum amount as it belongs to the wardrobe of a woman. Pinks and purples look nearly as good on men as they are doing on women. More recently, androgynous fashion styles evolved as mainstream trends in Asia. We saw many Japanese, Korean, and Chinese media feature men promoting androgynous fashion. Along with makeup looks that are positive social traits.
The androgynous style has been portrayed for a long time in anime, manga, K-pop, and J-pop cultures. These cultural movements are now the key sources of inspiration for contemporary androgynous fashion designers. The designers of the above mentioned were interviewed on what motivates them to make androgynous styles. The designers then mentioned a desire for fashion creations to become new sorts of self-expression. According to the designers, fashion must exceed one identity.
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Through the years, we saw the enhancement of pop culture in the form of movies, songs, magazines, soap operas, and more. This eventually gives birth to a definitive role in how humans view the world around them. However, before the influence of media over pop culture, mass media. That appeared in the form of books, live plays, as well as written transcripts. This however enhanced a sense of unity in terms of ideas as well as in thought processes. Influenced largely by pop culture, the concepts like social media, beauty, and makeup stand no longer restricted to a particular gender. Especially not in the 21st century.
Pop Culture standing as the path for androgynous fashion
There exists a wide reach of popular culture within the 21st century. Moreover, we have come across many more male celebrities who are exploring gender-bending fashion. Along with makeup concepts- where actors like Jaden Smith, singer Harry Styles, beauty guru Jeffrey Star, and more. They helped in breaking the boundaries between masculine and female. This breaking goes in terms of fashion and marvels are blurring.
Marlene Dietrich, a film star, and Gladys Bentley, a singer contributed a lot towards androgynous fashion. Where we saw Marlene Dietrich in a suit and cigarettes in multiple photoshoots. Furthermore, Gladys Bently portrayed herself in a signature white top hat, tuxedo, and tails. Bentley sang raunchy songs knitted with double-entendres and the audience witnessed a thrilling show.
Moreover, these ideals of makeup, beauty, and fashion are becoming more gender non-conforming and androgynous. Starting from Elvis Presley of the 1950s who flared up with his amazing outburst of fashion ideas. The most noticeable was with pegged and flared pants, penny loafers, and draped jackets. Again, one of the most popular pop singers, we saw Harry Styles illustrating androgynous fashion. There were many jaw-dropping moments while one of them was in his music video Lights Up. This continues with many ramps for many events.
Recent Trends
While we talk about genderless fashion, the recent music video of Justin Bieber, Peaches cannot be missed. It makes a strong case for genderless fashion and we can address that by the appearance of Justin Bieber. We saw him in a peach suit from cult LA-based luxury brand RichFresh. His tonal fit with a tank top instead of a crisp shirt was an incredible pair to watch. Along with a necklace from Drew House (his unisex clothing line). Also a headband along with the classic Nike Air Force 1 low sneaker. This striking look particularly breaks all the gender norms in fashion.
Again, all of these instances make us remember Sam Smith. In his masterpiece, How do you sleep? , the portrayal of his look undoubtedly is a fashion statement. He embraced himself with a black tank top and a sheer shirt layered over it. This look appeared more remarkable with black high-heels.
Then, Jaden Smith at Coachella, he was an actor of The Pursuit of Happyness expressed himself with a floral tunic. Along with dense headgear made of red roses. Normally, we do not see people doing such experiments with fashion. Yet, here is pop culture that experimentally explores their ideas.
Mainstream for the future too
From movies, songs to real-time events, popular culture retains the way for people. This describes them what they are up to and who they are without being apologetic. Moreover, pop culture keeps normalizing what once came as a surprise but more as a shock for several. Furthermore, it is just a drop by the ocean for alteration.
The industry moreover prevails a minimum of getting into the proper direction. Hence, that is necessary to fill the void in fashion as well as pop culture. Overall, looking forward to pop culture for more fashion counsel that might turn out as a trendsetter, as they decide based on fashion elements and not on any gender.
The article was first published on the WMH magazine, check the magazine here.
