As citizens of a world filled with identity-expressing individuals, North American fashion designers have revolutionized the industry through their unique works of art that defy traditional gender norms and embrace a boundaryless realm of possibilities. From the runways of New York to the streets of Seattle, these talented individuals have established themselves as iconic trendsetters, paving the way for an entirely new era of fashion. From androgynous styles to gender-neutral clothing, explore the stories of the courageous North American fashion designers that are fighting for a more boundaryless and inclusive future.
1. Revolutionary Designers Shattering Binary Gender Norms
Casey Legler is a former Olympic swimmer who now works as an androgynous male model. She doesn’t want to disturb the gender binary; she wants to expand it. She has done editorials and campaigns as a male model for prestigious labels and publications, like Saint Laurent and Vogue.
Toronto-based Erika Hart is a gender activist, educator, and writer. She strives to elevate conversations surrounding gender-discrimination to a more respectful and inclusive level. In her writing, she advocates for using gender-neutral pronouns such as ‘they/them’ and ‘ze/hir’. She aims to inform others on the privileges and dangers of traditional gender roles.
Jos Truitt is the co-founder and Executive Director of FeministApproved, a platform which promotes body positivity and supports fashion designers who are changing people’s awareness of gender identity. Most of their collections are unisex and androgynous. They feature queer, trans, and non-binary people in their designs, allowing everyday people to explore their own gender identity.
Rafaella Ruben Sobral, a genderqueer artist from Brazil, creates photographs that captures the moment of transformation. Through her work, she hopes to generate a discussion about the nature of gender and identity in our culture. She uses her photography to explore the liminality between genders, and to question the ways we perceive masculine and feminine roles.
A fashion installation by Aedan Juvet was an exploration of gender fluidity as a tool for self-expression. His audience was encouraged to play with different pieces of garments, ranging from suits to frilly dresses, to create their personal gender-neutral style. Juvet’s work shows that breaking the gender binary doesn’t mean rejecting femininity or masculinity. It’s about embracing both.
These incredible visionaries are just a few examples of creative people fighting for a more inclusive representation of gender roles. They are making tremendous strides in shattering the gender binary, one brave step at a time.
2. Equality in North American Fashion Designers
The fashion industry in North America relies heavily on innovation and ideas from people of diverse backgrounds. In the past few years, the fashion community has been actively engaging in finding ways to promote equality and inclusion in the industry. Here are some of the ways they are encouraging diversity and inclusivity:
- Empowerment and Collaboration – Fashion designers are increasingly engaging with communities around the world to promote diversity in their design teams. This activity leads to increased access and opportunities for people of all backgrounds who are interested in the fashion industry.
- Recruiting with Equity in Mind – Fashion designers are actively seeking out talent from diverse backgrounds. This helps ensure a level playing field for all designers in the industry.
- Upholding Inclusion Values – The fashion industry is starting to take a more proactive approach in promoting diversity and inclusion in their working environments. Companies are enacting policies that ensure a discrimination-free environment and hold employees accountable for fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
These efforts are a great step forward in creating a fairer and more inclusive fashion industry in North America. It is becoming increasingly apparent that fashion designers from every background need to be given a platform to showcase their work and talents.
Fashion shows and events are starting to be more diverse in terms of the models and designers they feature. This helps to break down stereotypes in the fashion industry and create a better representation of the diversity in North America. Furthermore, a number of fashion design schools have implemented initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in their student bodies.
The fashion industry still has a ways to go in terms of achieving full equality and inclusivity. However, North America is taking steps in the right direction and is making great strides in the fight for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.
3. Subverting Gender Stereotypes Through Fashion
When we think of fashion, the two most prominent gender norms that come to mind are pink for girls and blue for boys. We tend to believe that certain clothes are meant for certain genders, thus limiting our options. However, more and more people are embracing gender-neutral fashion, with looks that range from wild and daring to casual and comfortable.
Gender-neutral fashion is an empowering statement of self-expression which creates space for anyone to redefine the notion of femininity and masculinity. It offers a variety or styles that are not confined by traditional gender roles. With gender-neutral fashion, the focus shifts from adhering to traditional standards to wearing clothes that bring joy and confidence to the individual.
The rise of gender-neutral fashion has given way to an abundance of options. From sharp, tailored cuts to skirts to baggy, oversize garments to androgynous-inspired street fashion, there are plenty of options that can create a unique and personal style. Here are some ideas:
- Mix-and-Match: Ditch the old rules about what is appropriate for each gender and start combining and pairing different pieces. Mix and match bold prints and loud textiles and create an eye-catching look.
- Statement Pieces: Kick up the fashion game by adding a few eye-catching pieces like an edgy leather jacket, a funky cap, or a pair of fun earrings.
- Gender-Bending: Go the extra mile by styling classic gender-specific pieces like trench coats, bootcut jeans and shirts differently for a ‘gender-bending’ look that will definitely turn heads.
Breaking away from the traditional gender roles and embracing gender-neutral fashion allows us to express ourselves and feel comfortable in our own skin. After all, it isn’t about what’s on the outside that defines us, but how we feel inside.
So go ahead and experiment with different looks, free yourself from the idea of what is socially accepted as masculine and feminine, and create your own style that celebrates you just as you are.
4. Looking Ahead: The Future of Non-Binary Fashion
Change is a constant and the future of fashion trends is uncertain — yet there is a clear trajectory for non-binary fashion becoming more accessible, accepted, and celebrated. Let’s explore the future of non-binary fashion.
Advancing Aesthetic
The future of fashion will continue to support innovative and boundary-breaking expressions of gender, style, and individuality. The current trend we are seeing is an embracement of a more fluid and progressive style; be it bright colors, avant-garde prints, and creative accessories. Ultimately, clothing that does not constrain someone’s gender expression is becoming a must-have, and the future of fashion is increasingly more likely to support this.
Making it Easier to Access
The popularization of non-binary fashion is driving broader consumer and cultural acceptance. There are now more online platforms that offer comprehensive, gender-neutral clothing, allowing an easier and more affordable access to these products. Not only that, but the real life shopping experience is also paving the way for a more accepting world with the rise of gender-neutral fitting rooms and recognition of pronouns and gender identities on store receipts — a huge step towards making the traditional shopping experience more inclusive.
Prowess in the World of Design
The fashion industry is recognizing the relevance of non-binary fashion for the future and increasingly creating clothing that supports and goes beyond the traditional gender binary. Designers are coming up with creative ideas to broaden fashion’s horizons that still customers can appeal to all kinds of clothing enthusiasts, regardless of gender and identity. This is visible in garments such as the androgynous blazer and unisex t-shirt, two staples that are becoming more prevalent in fashion circles.
Big Brands Stepping Up
- Big retailers are investing more in their gender-neutral apparel production to maintain an edge in an industry that’s becoming increasingly progressive.
- This shift has been evident with stores like Gucci, H&M, and Zara launching modest collections inspired by modest fashion that feature clothing with genderless aesthetic.
Non-binary fashion is quickly becoming a household name and more likely to stay that way. This future of fashion is aiming to provide wholly inclusive designs, making any type of clothing accessible for anyone and everyone, regardless of what gender they identify with.
The long-standing gender binary is being shattered by the vanguard trendsetters of North American fashion. As the community of fearless innovators grows, these brave individuals continue to redefine what it means to be “normal” in terms of gender. It’s no question that these bold wardrobe revolutions will leave a lasting impact on the industry, and hopefully our society too.
