Shifting the Spotlight: On Fluidity in Fashion
By Caleb Kim
The journey towards gender fluidity within the fashion industry is not a new concept.
For many years, those within the LGBTQ+ community have fought for their presence and representation within the industry. The topic surrounding gender-fluid clothing and expression has begun to occupy more of modern-day fashion discourse. At the forefront of gender inclusivity progress and the freedom of expression are usually celebrities, such as Harry Styles, who is known for his expression through clothing that breaks binary boundaries.
Though it is important to social change that this progress gains media attention through these prominent names in Hollywood, the contribution of countless individuals who identify as gender-fluid, non-binary, or more who have contributed to the social responsibility of clothing is largely unnoticed. Through their continued effort to fight for freedom of expression through clothes, the industry is beginning to see a more accepting culture in terms of gender norms.
One notable figure in the fight for more gender-fluid inclusivity within the fashion industry is half-American, half-British fashion designer Harris Reed. Refusing to accept the rules dictated by society, Reed, who identifies as gender-fluid, designs clothes that allow customers to exist outside of the borders of judgment and expectations.
As a part of the LGBTQ+ community and a trailblazer fighting against gender normativity, Reed designs clothes that drive change. Through styling famous celebrities such as Harry Styles, Reed has helped contribute to the beginnings of important conversations surrounding both social and political issues.
Clothes, for Reed, are not meant to be worn just for the way they look but rather for what they represent. They believe that the wearer of their clothes should feel fully themselves, allowing for the duality between self and clothes to manifest in whichever way possible fulfilling the brand’s goal of achieving “Romanticism Gone Nonbinary.” In other words, Reed’s clothes allow the wearer to express their fluidity in whichever way they feel fit.
Fluidity itself is a concept that words cannot describe, and it is through that, that fluidity juxtaposes with the concept of labels and confinement. The beauty in fluidity is how anyone can express themselves freely in a way that feels right for them. A concept that displays this idea is that clothing can be worn in a multitude of ways. A simple item of clothing can be expressed differently based on the wearer of the piece, but the conversation surrounding fluidity is also about allowing someone the choice to express themselves in a way that is unique to themselves using clothes.
The efforts of many people lead the journey towards more inclusivity within the fashion industry. Whether it be big Hollywood figures, such as Harry Styles, or fashion designers, such as Harris Reed, it is important to view this journey not as a trend but instead, as a movement of change. As the world progresses and moves away from heteronormative standards, one can only hope that the movement toward gender inclusivity and fluidity continues to develop and hold strong.
In viewing this movement of change, queer visibility is a topic to consider. When celebrities, such as Harry Styles or Timothée Chalamet, are celebrated for their unique ways of expression through wearing clothing that breaks the boundaries of gender, the topic of conversation becomes centered on their “groundbreaking” strides within the fashion industry. Though it is being recognized that men are beginning to move away from the concept of toxic masculinity and be comfortable expressing themselves in ways that go against the typical masculine standards, it is also essential to pay attention to those who are a part of communities that the fashion industry has marginalized.
When the spotlight becomes focused on those the industry has not marginalized, marginalized groups become further pushed into the shadows of invisibility rather than uplifted for their efforts over the years. When celebrating the growing acceptance of the concept of gender fluidity and inclusivity, it is also imperative to remember that this concept is not new or “trendy.” Gender fluid expression and the fight for it did not just begin yesterday. It has been an ongoing and arduous battle for many members of the LGBTQ+ community and those who identify as gender-fluid, non-binary, or more, who have fought for their freedom of expression and representation within an industry that has excluded and marginalized them.
As time passes, people can expect to see continued progress in inclusivity and representation. In regard to gender fluidity, it can only be hoped that more clothing brands will carry on the positive work that has been done thus far and create and market more items of clothing that go against the binary. With this in mind, expression through fashion can become increasingly more authentic as the freedom to choose and wear garments that match one’s unique identity will be an option hopefully available throughout the world. With the progress made, it is important to remember that this is not the end but rather only the beginning of important changes that need to be made.
For many years, those within the LGBTQ+ community have fought for their presence and representation within the industry. The topic surrounding gender-fluid clothing and expression has begun to occupy more of modern-day fashion discourse. At the forefront of gender inclusivity progress and the freedom of expression are usually celebrities, such as Harry Styles, who is known for his expression through clothing that breaks binary boundaries.
Though it is important to social change that this progress gains media attention through these prominent names in Hollywood, the contribution of countless individuals who identify as gender-fluid, non-binary, or more who have contributed to the social responsibility of clothing is largely unnoticed. Through their continued effort to fight for freedom of expression through clothes, the industry is beginning to see a more accepting culture in terms of gender norms.
One notable figure in the fight for more gender-fluid inclusivity within the fashion industry is half-American, half-British fashion designer Harris Reed. Refusing to accept the rules dictated by society, Reed, who identifies as gender-fluid, designs clothes that allow customers to exist outside of the borders of judgment and expectations.
As a part of the LGBTQ+ community and a trailblazer fighting against gender normativity, Reed designs clothes that drive change. Through styling famous celebrities such as Harry Styles, Reed has helped contribute to the beginnings of important conversations surrounding both social and political issues.
Clothes, for Reed, are not meant to be worn just for the way they look but rather for what they represent. They believe that the wearer of their clothes should feel fully themselves, allowing for the duality between self and clothes to manifest in whichever way possible fulfilling the brand’s goal of achieving “Romanticism Gone Nonbinary.” In other words, Reed’s clothes allow the wearer to express their fluidity in whichever way they feel fit.
Fluidity itself is a concept that words cannot describe, and it is through that, that fluidity juxtaposes with the concept of labels and confinement. The beauty in fluidity is how anyone can express themselves freely in a way that feels right for them. A concept that displays this idea is that clothing can be worn in a multitude of ways. A simple item of clothing can be expressed differently based on the wearer of the piece, but the conversation surrounding fluidity is also about allowing someone the choice to express themselves in a way that is unique to themselves using clothes.
The efforts of many people lead the journey towards more inclusivity within the fashion industry. Whether it be big Hollywood figures, such as Harry Styles, or fashion designers, such as Harris Reed, it is important to view this journey not as a trend but instead, as a movement of change. As the world progresses and moves away from heteronormative standards, one can only hope that the movement toward gender inclusivity and fluidity continues to develop and hold strong.
In viewing this movement of change, queer visibility is a topic to consider. When celebrities, such as Harry Styles or Timothée Chalamet, are celebrated for their unique ways of expression through wearing clothing that breaks the boundaries of gender, the topic of conversation becomes centered on their “groundbreaking” strides within the fashion industry. Though it is being recognized that men are beginning to move away from the concept of toxic masculinity and be comfortable expressing themselves in ways that go against the typical masculine standards, it is also essential to pay attention to those who are a part of communities that the fashion industry has marginalized.
When the spotlight becomes focused on those the industry has not marginalized, marginalized groups become further pushed into the shadows of invisibility rather than uplifted for their efforts over the years. When celebrating the growing acceptance of the concept of gender fluidity and inclusivity, it is also imperative to remember that this concept is not new or “trendy.” Gender fluid expression and the fight for it did not just begin yesterday. It has been an ongoing and arduous battle for many members of the LGBTQ+ community and those who identify as gender-fluid, non-binary, or more, who have fought for their freedom of expression and representation within an industry that has excluded and marginalized them.
As time passes, people can expect to see continued progress in inclusivity and representation. In regard to gender fluidity, it can only be hoped that more clothing brands will carry on the positive work that has been done thus far and create and market more items of clothing that go against the binary. With this in mind, expression through fashion can become increasingly more authentic as the freedom to choose and wear garments that match one’s unique identity will be an option hopefully available throughout the world. With the progress made, it is important to remember that this is not the end but rather only the beginning of important changes that need to be made.