echo the royal issue
the royal issue
echo content 1-4 sashay away Shoot with the queen of drag: Sam Ashcroft
5-6 kings and queens of style Lets think about diversity for a sec
7-12 swings both ways The very handsome princess: Alex Drijver
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“we all came into this world naked. the rest is all drag.�
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the kings and queens of style In this current cultural climate the idea of men dressing as women and vice versa has become an accepted mean of self- expression. In the near future will the fashion industry be able to support this reality?
completely different story. So how accepted is the idea of gender-neutral fashion? Currently, it’s fashionable for women to have a masculine edge to their outfits, but will drag ever be seen on the catwalk alongside the ‘norm’ or on the high street? Is the reason there is a lack of acceptance in men due to the fact the fashion industry is only just starting to introduce drag on the catwalk or is it possible that the fashion industry is just misinterpreting femininity?
“Will drag ever been seen on the catwalk alongside the ‘norm’...”
When you think of the androgynous style- it is very minimal, clean cut and often features key pieces such ith the rise of shows like ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and as a blazer or masculine style brogues, subtle additions the widespread popularity of androgynous style, has to women’s outfits. Drag on the other hand is the cross dressing phenomenon now become vastly extremely extravagant and over the top, often featuring fashionable? As expected, when looking for models for lots of sequins and glitter. Therefore society has made this article, it was relatively straightforward to find a men feel uncomfortable to dress up or dress in a woman willing to adopt the androgynous style, whilst feminine way because these are the stereotypes that looking for a man to forego their masculinity was a are brought to mind.
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Transgender male, Joey (previously Josie) used to dress with a masculine edge before taking the plunge and transitioing to a man. Joey could not believe how in this day and age, dressing the way he did is still a subject that is considered diverse. I asked Joey if he felt the fashion industry had influenced cross-dressing; his reply “Of course! The fact that drag is only coming onto the fashion scene now is ridiculous. The fact that it has only been the past year or so someone has finally used drag does make you think!”.- This was something I hadn’t thought about. Why has it taken so long when ‘fashionistas’ are constantly looking for publicity? Wouldn’t drag be the perfect concept?
“The fact that drag is only coming onto the fashion scene is ridiculous.” In October 2013 there was a fashion revolution. The designer Marco Marco used famous drag queens on the catwalk to model his garments. Isn’t this what everyone wants to see? He used queens from the US show ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’; therefore creating a huge following of drag fans. But since then, no other designer has used the same concept. Designers love to
shock the press. The impact the show had on countless individuals was magnificent as awareness of drag has been raised and individually has been celebrated, something the majority of the fashion industry has failed to achieve. Optimistically in the next couple of years I hope to see more of this, which will transform the way we all, but particularly men, look at the outdated view on drag. Certainly over the years there has been a lack of inclusion of drag queens and cross-dressing, but with the help of Marco Marco, will there be a rebellion against this? Hopefully, over the coming years there will be an uprising in people feeling they can crossdress. Will we ever consider gender as a separate entity to fashion?
text gabrielle mercer model sam ashcroft
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“not all girls are beautiful,, some of us are handsome.�
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