EDEN by Emma Smallwood

EDEN ISSUE ONE SPRING 2017

EDEN: a publication based around the reincarnation of unconventional new beauty and the rebirth of social norms

With his typical tall masculine frame, broad shoulders and muscular arms, Josh Lamptey is the epitome of how a man should look.

PHOTOGRAPHY EMMA SMALLWOOD

JOSH LAMPTEY

“Being an athlete doesn’t make you ill-mannered or unintelligent and disliking sport doesn’t make you gay.” Josh Lamptey

THE MODERN MAN TEXT EMMA SMALLWOOD

In today’s world the definition of true masculinity is constantly up for debate, almost as if society has “lost” what it takes to be a man. With social media trends and hashtags surrounding new masculinity, what does it mean to be a man?

boys can cry girls can be pretty men can be faithful women can be clingy As I am writing this, the whole of America and majority of the U.K. are getting ready for the Super Bowl 2017. An annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). It will see Lady Gaga headlining for the world famous half time show, after Coldplay and Beyonce performed to 111.9 million viewers worldwide, last year. On Sunday 5th February the NRG Stadium, Texas, will be filled with 72,220 hyped fans from across the world, ready to see their favourite American footballer charge across a 110m long pitch, in the hope of scoring that all important touchdown. Out of 64% of Americans who watch NFL football, 73% are men and 55% are women, a fairly even split considering the majority of stereotypes which surround football and sports as a whole. The American term ‘jock’ describes someone with a sports interest, stereotypically an ill-mannered and unintelligent athlete, compared to someone who dislikes sports and is casted as a ‘nerd’. In England if you

dislike sports it suddenly becomes a lot more personal and your sexual orientation becomes questionable. You are at risk of being called queer or even gay. According to the stereotypes, having no interest in sports instantly makes you homosexual and impacts your ability to socialise with other guys. Many people believe in the gender stereotypes that all men love sport. If you are a female athlete, you must be a lesbian. Female sports are inferior to male sports. However the viral video of a female American footballer diving head first into a ‘fumble’ (not to be confused with a rugby ‘scrum’), and reappearing with a bloody nose, only to carry on playing without seeking medical attention, compared to footage of Cristiano Ronaldo falling to the ground in ‘pain’ after a gentle run in with another player, proves otherwise. Everyone will know a guy who isn’t interested in sports and isn’t homosexual just like many female athletes aren’t gay. But these stereotypes still exist. 7

Josh Lamptey (@joshlamptey) a 21-year-old student American football player, is the epitome of how a man should look, typical tall masculine frame with broad shoulders and considerably muscular arms. He’s a football throwing man’s man. A beer drinking, meat-eating ball of testosterone. Looking at Josh, it’s no wonder other men seem inferior or ‘less-masculine’. Aesthetically, Josh and Demetris Georgiou (@jiml.d) a 19-year-old Fashion student, aren’t too similar. Although Demetris is lean and muscular, his looks are more effeminate. But this doesn’t mean he is in any way less masculine or ‘manly’. Demetris admits to using men’s grooming products to enhance his natural features which other men may not use. But when did caring about your appearance make anyone less macho? Nowadays, thanks to Tinder and Instagram, women are more likely to choose a partner based on looks alone. Men are subsequently working harder to improve their appearance. Perfectly styled locks and good fashion sense aren’t the first things that come to mind when thinking of a man’s man. But why can’t caring about your looks be considered manly? Especially when there has been a 300% growth in men’s grooming products since 2015. In China, the sale of men’s grooming products rises by 20% annually. Jakob Kasimir (@candyken69) a 22-year-old Austrian photographer turned model agrees with a lot of what the East has to offer. Jakob has now moved from behind the camera and transformed himself into a modern day beauty icon, a muscled, unconventional incarnation of new beauty. His obsession with Hello Kitty, dyed eyebrows and mulitcoloured teeth are the reflection of the atypical muse he spent years searching for. “I look like this normal, crazy gym guy and I don’t want to look like that. I love combining muscles and Hello Kitty, being white and wearing grillz -- doing things that aren’t supposed to go together. I love Hello Kitty and it looks good on a boy,” explains Jakob in an article with Paper, “I’m trying to get away from stereotypes and follow what my heart tells me and what really makes me happy.” However, due to his brawn physique people aren’t quick to question Jakob’s masculinity or sexuality.

Jakob often wears makeup to help build his unorthodox look but makeup still falls under feminine connotations of beauty and there’s still a stigma surrounding the topic of men in makeup. The disfigured opinions around men wearing makeup begins with ‘if you’re a guy who wears makeup you must be transgender or a drag artist’. Far from the truth. There is a huge opening in the market for male beauty and genderless makeup. MrPorter is just one online men’s retailer where men can buy anything from Tom Ford Concealers to Clinique Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel. “There are so many products out there on the market for men, from day and night cream to hair oils,” explains Demetris. He doesn’t use bold makeup to lengthen his lashes or contour his jaw, he instead uses beauty products to enhance his natural features. “I love to look after myself, I’m not doing it for anyone else, I’m doing it for myself. I love beauty products and I think it’s important for everyone to look after themselves.” Gender stereotypes are a part of everyday life for both men and women and are simply a generalisation of how each gender should act. Boys shouldn’t cry. Girls should be pretty. Men are less faithful. Women are clingy. Men are told to ‘man up’ and ‘grow a pair’ or else they are considered ‘pussies’ and it is actually through this form of bullying and violence which punishes other men for behaving inadequately macho. The attitudes towards men and what it means to be masculine, are actually the root of problems which men face in their everyday lives. The internet has the power to start conversation. Hashtags like #newmasculine are urging young people to start thinking seriously about equality. The fact that the modern man is now curious about wearing makeup and broadening their opinions beyond social norms of gender, proves that there is a new outlook on masculinity and the possibility of a genderless future.

“People can do whatever they want with their lives, it’s their choice. They should feel comfortable and happy and free.” Demetris Georgiou 8

“Some men start wearing makeup from a young age and some start a lot older. I think if that’s what they want to do then it’s their choice and if they want to look better then I support them.” Demetris Georgiou