Gender Bender Modeling

When I was reading about fall fashion trends the one that really caught my eye had nothing to do with style but male models appearing on the runways modeling women’s clothing. Women don’t think twice about borrowing their boyfriend’s leather jackets or a t-shirt to sleep in here or there, but I can’t think of a single guy I know who has as much as borrowed a pair of sweat socks from me. So I did some digging and discovered there has been some gender bender activity on the runways since the beginning of the year.

When Jelle Haen, a 21-year-old male model from the Netherlands donned heels, eyeliner and a gorgeous black dress from Proenza Schouler in January he definitely got some attention, as did the designers, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough who came up with the idea. But did he pull it off? Here’s a photo. You be the judge but I say YES! Other male models have been featured in women’s fashion shows before but this is the first time ever on such a prominent runway. Was he wearing it to send a signal that it is ok for men to wear women’s clothing or just because he is so pretty that he would inspire women to buy the same dress?

In general, women’s fashions can be more androgynous so seeing someone like Gisele Bündchen walking down the runway in a men’s suit is not going to send shock waves. Also, there is nothing androgynous about her. Casey Legler is another story. A former Olympic swimmer for France, she signed with Ford in March to model men’s clothes exclusively. At 37, she is ancient in this business but her build – she is 6’2 and has broad shoulders – and bad boy handsomeness make her a perfect fit for the world of male modeling.

Just when you think you have it figured out, Kris Gottschalk comes along modeling both men and women’s clothing. Prominently featured during New York’s Men’s Fashion Week a couple of months ago, she rocked a Theory suit and drop crotch pants from Public School like nobody’s business. With closely cropped hair and bright blue eyes, she has a tomboyish femininity and looks just as good in men’s clothes as in women’s.

Over the years Karl Lagerfeld and others have played around with gender but now as sex categories are becoming less black and white, the one industry that is often pushing the envelope seems to be moving this conversation right along. Is it a fad or is this just a preview of what is to come? This is the beauty of fashion.