Gender Fluidity and Fashion

By: Mariana Venturella

September 28, 2022

In recent years thanks to an unapologetic generation of movers-and-shakers, gender

fluidity and fashion are here to stay. Fluid fashion relates to styling that is not related,

composed of, or involving just two things pertaining to gender. Some other terms you

may have heard include fashion being described as non-binary, gender-queer, or

non-gendered. As of recent, many names have emerged as pioneers for gender fluid

fashion including Harry Styles, Harris Reed, Kid Cudi, and Little Nas X to name a few. In

relation to this “emergence”, many of these stars have been on the receiving end of

conversation due to their identities. While, as a stylist, I try to advocate for my clients

and create a safe and welcoming environment, it is hard to ignore such discourse. While

there is no doubt that Harry Styles and stars alike draw influence from LGBTQIA+

creators and artists, and other fluid people, we as stylists know that they are not the

trailblazers that deserve the credit. Gender fluidity has such a rich and important history.

Gender fluid fashion actually goes back thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, men and

Pharaohs would wear detailed eyeliner for protection from the sun and also felt that

makeup and beauty showed their holiness. Flashforward to King Louis XIV who donned

curly wigs, high heeled shoes, and ornate capes. Fashion fluidity has existed across

eras and countries showing that fluid fashion is not a trend, but truly representative of

our society and important studies in history.

Today in the media we know that artists like Prince and David Bowie were pioneers for a more fluid society even if people during the time were not so accepting. As a student in the fashion industry, it is important to recognize the groundbreakers who came before us and paved the way for a more inclusive industry. Today more than ever, representation is important. Rob Smith, the founder of the Phluid Project, shared that “56% of Gen Z people were “already shopping outside their assigned gender area.” (Rob Smith, founder of the Phluid project, 2019). As a stylist I recognize that for some of my clients, including gender non-conforming

people, that this is not just fashion and style, but their lives. I personally believe that

clothes are genderless, and it is not gendered until brands and stores decide to. When I

have my fittings I steer clear of gendered language and try to create as safe and

inclusive space as possible. My generation has a very refreshing take on fashion styling

and this allows me as a stylist to really honor the project with a de-stigmatized and

freely creative point of view. Partaking in fluid-fashion is not someone trying to rewrite

the rules, but simply re-defining them in a way that makes room for everyone. One

fashion designer that is spearheading the way for fluid fashion in a very gendered

industry is artist Harris Reed. Reed has been featured on Vogue, album covers like

Beyonce’s Renaissance, and in the V&A museum in London. Reed believes in the

“transformative power of clothing and its correlation with identity and liberation”

(harrisreed.com). They recognize that like with most fashion, their designs are political.

By highlighting social injustices and creating inclusive fashion, Reed is actively

destroying any fault-lines put in place by outdated societal norms.

I believe we as an industry are taking small steps towards a vision we should all be

running to. While celebrities today have brought it to the “mainstream”, it is important as

stylists to incorporate these inclusive values into their practices. The idea that fashion is

blue and pink or girl and boy or vice versa, is a prejudicial mindset that can really have

damaging effects on people who are actively fighting against that everyday. People and

fashion are not defaulted to one thing over the other and doing so is quite invalidating.

In an ideal world one can appreciate fluid fashion and its history respectfully and in full,

while also appreciating celebrity fashion today like of Harry Styles, Kid Cudi, or Harris

Reed who are great at showcasing their authenticity through fashion, and creating a

safe space for us to also explore fashion and fluidity.