Fashion's current obsession with *genderless* and paying respect to queer & trans communities


 
 

In episode 249, Kestrel welcomes Isiah Magsino, a writer based in New York City, to the show. With bylines in Vogue, GQ, W, Nylon, Architectural Digest, and more, Isiah is focused on writing about the beautiful things in life.

 
Isiah-bio-image copy.png
 
 

“While it’s mainstream now, it’s important to recognize where it comes from, and the adversity that was faced from doing so back in the day. You know, we’re at a point where it’s a little more accepted, which is amazing, but before we go into marketing everything as genderless, I think it’s important to know the struggle that came from crossdressing or drag or even participating in genderless fashion to begin with.”

-Isiah

 
 

One of fashion’s newest words to embrace - when it comes to marketing jargon - is GENDERLESS

As this week’s guest points out, the term genderless is currently in vogue - and it’s starting to sound like sustainability did a few months ago. Press releases that were framed around “sustainability this or sustainability that” are now shifting to language centered around genderless or gender fluid styles. 

At first glance, fashion’s embrace of genderless clothing seems fantastic (as well as being something that should have happened ages and ages ago).

But approaching genderless as a trend, not acknowledging the history of gender nonconforming dress and especially, not giving credit where credit is due — to queer and trans people who have been stepping out of the binary for hundreds of years, is where it gets super problematic. 

This week’s guest recently wrote a piece for W Magazine that explores all of the above, through interviews with mostly trans women, in an effort to share more on the nuanced importance of truly dressing however the hell you want.

We explore more on why we (and the industry) must pay their respects to the LGBTQ+ community, and some of the nuance connected to fashion’s most recent obsession with *genderless*.

Quotes & links from the conversation:


 

This week’s episode is brought to you by

 

Ana Luisa is the first direct-to-consumer jewelry brand to become carbon-neutral. They focuses on recycled materials, transparent pricing, responsible production and making jewelry that lasts. 

If you’re interested in checking out Ana Luisa, you can use code CHATTER to get 10% off.

Learn more & shop Ana Luisa here >

 

 
 

Thanks for listening! Subscribe, download, and leave a review for Conscious Chatter on iTunes if you get a chance. I big time appreciate your support!

P.S. If you want to connect, send me a DM on Instagram @consciouschatter! <3 Kestrel