This movement towards genderless fashion is an incredible time for the fashion industry and allows for endless self-expression. There are some specific designers that are absolutely knocking it out the park and creating androgynous artworks, and we are desperate to share them with you. 

Willy Chavarria

One of the first designers that comes to mind when we think about gender fluidity in fashion is the incredibly talented Willy Chavarria. Chavarria is currently senior vice president of design at Calvin Klein and chief creative officer at his own brand. He’s become known for intertwining current issues in politics as well as race and sexuality into his design. 

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He has created some boundary-breaking androgynous designs and has had a major part in blurring the lines between traditional gender norms His collections challenge societal expectations, celebrate diversity, and encapsulate Chavarria’s unique aesthetic, combining streetwear influences with his bold and inclusive vision.

Eckhaus Latta

Eckhaus Latta is another cutting-edge fashion label that’s spearheading the genderless design movement. Founded by designers Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta. The brand has become known for their avant-garde and gender-fluid design. The brand challenges conventional notions of beauty and style and their collections often feature unconventional materials and unique silhouettes, pushing the boundaries of contemporary fashion with a focus on inclusivity and individuality.

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Chopova Lowena

Chopova Lowena is a London-based fashion brand founded by designers Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena. Their innovative designs blend traditional Bulgarian craftsmanship with modern silhouettes, creating a unique and eclectic aesthetic. Chopova Lowena is known for its bold use of textiles, intricate detailing, and sustainable practices, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion with a focus on cultural heritage and sustainability.

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Ella Boucht

Hailing from London, Ella Boucht is a revolutionary designer who challenges traditional gender norms with her unique androgynous and gender fluid designs. Her pieces blur the lines between masculine and feminine, allowing individuals to express themselves freely without conforming to societal expectations. 

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Boucht’s designs are versatile and inclusive, catering to all genders and body types. Her use of bold colours, unconventional silhouettes, and innovative fabrics creates a sense of empowerment and freedom for those who wear her creations. By breaking down barriers and redefining fashion, Ella Boucht is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse industry.

Luis De Javier

Another visionary designer we can’t get enough of is Luis De Javier, known for his beautiful take on boundary-pushing genderless design. His creations defy traditional gender constraints, offering a fresh perspective on fashion that is inclusive and diverse. De Javier’s pieces blend elements of both masculine and feminine styles, resulting in a unique and avant-garde aesthetic that challenges societal norms. 

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His use of unconventional materials, intricate detailing, and bold colour palettes sets him apart in the industry. By celebrating individuality and embracing fluidity, Luis De Javier’s designs inspire self-expression and empowerment for all who wear them. His work symbolizes a new era of fashion that is inclusive, progressive, and truly ground-breaking.

_{Written By Lauren Dickson}

The post Blurring Boundaries: 5 Designers Spearheading The Rise Of Genderless Design appeared first on Voir Fashion.

At the fall/winter 2022 fashion weeks, gender-neutral accessorising was at the forefront of the runways. Designers from Gucci to Dominnico dressed male-identifying models in glittering bralettes and logo-covered purses as a way to pledge their allegiance to the gender-neutral fashion movement. Speaking to Refinery-29, designer Ed Curtis explained that he and other fashion designers are waving goodbye to strict gender codes, claiming he ‘can’t think of a practical reason why an accessory would need to be for one gender’.

Off the runway, Euphoria star Jacob Elordi has been spotted donning the genderless accessory. Elordi wore the iconic padded Bottega Veneta bag to the fashion house’s AW22 show this season. The padded purse has been popular among female stars like Rihanna, but Elordi demonstrated that males can pull off the look just as well.

As an expert in gender-neutral dressing, Harry Styles has unsurprisingly been a major advocate for reducing the stigma around males wearing bags. The star has been spotted multiple times wearing his go-to ‘Jackie’ purse by Gucci, proving the timeless piece can look good on anyone regardless of gender identity.

As our attitudes towards gender shift, our approach to fashion has to move with it. Gone are the days of ridiculing people for how they choose to express themselves. Fashion is an expression and an art form, it is not exclusive to any gender and we’re excited to see the fashion industry is taking this memo on board.

To celebrate the rise of the gender-neutral bag, we’ve listed our favourite gender-inclusive accessories below!

£ 235

Luar Black Small Bag

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Last year, Luar’s owner Raul Lopez was in the media for creating the new ‘it bag’. His small leather bag with an exaggerated loop handle was favoured by celebs regardless of their gender identity. After being spotted on Troye Sivan and Dua Lipa, this bag has proven it can blend into any style: punk rocker, pop princess, man, woman, or other, this bag is the ultimate accessory.

£ 2560

Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette

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£ 1185

Bottega Veneta Padded Tech Cassette

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The Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette purse is favoured by celebs regardless of their gender. The woven leather accessory is available in classic black shades as well as daring neons and sultry reds. While the purses are advertised in different styles for both genders, Jacob Elordi’s front row feat in the women’s purse demonstrates the accessory isn’t gender exclusive.

£ 119

ZARA Leather Crossbody Bag Limited Edition

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In a more affordable take on the little leather bag, Zara’s crossbody bag is equally as stylish and gender-inclusive as the high-end alternatives. Not advertised as being gender-specific, the casual bag can be styled with any outfit for a casual and convenient little black bag that compliments any look.

£ 42,50

ONEDNA One DNA Tote Bag

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£ 35

ONEDNA 80s Vintage Kodak Camera Bag

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One DNA is a black and queer-owned company offering gender-neutral clothing that doesn’t discriminate. Offering logo-splashed totes and vintage gender-neutral bags, this label is the unrivalled place to shop un-gendered fashions. One DNA’s Vintage Kodak bag is the ultimate 80s accessory, in a tiny leather style and affordable price, this may be the gender-neutral accessory to beat.

£ 1950

Gucci Jackie 1961 Small Shoulder Bag

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This classic Gucci ‘Jackie’ purse is the go-to accessory for stars like Harry Styles. The star styled this bag with a fur coat for an all-out nighttime look on the Late Late Show. Harry has also been seen extending the Jackie strap over tan cords and a tee for a comfortable look that demonstrates the diversity and inclusivity of this little accessory.

£ 12,99

COLLUSION Unisex Branded Tote Bag in Black

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£ 20.99

COLLUSION Unisex Padded Tote in Black

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Collusion pride themself on being a gender-neutral brand, their accessories like the ‘padded tote’ and ‘flight bag’ are the best way to accessorise without worrying about gender codes. The flight bag is a cross-body design perfect for a summer festival while their padded tote is ideal for carrying all your possessions on a long journey this spring.

Words by Olivia Booth

The post The Gender-Neutral Bag Is Launching Fashion Towards Its Gender-Free Future appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Taking inspiration from his childhood and the people around him, today his designs offer something new and exciting to the industry. Harris described his brand as “Romanticism gone Non binary”, this unlikely combo gives the wearer the confidence to feel their most authentic self and put their fluidity front and centre, something that is so empowering. The fight for fluidity in fashion is not an easy one. Many years of gender construct within the fashion industry need to be broken down, but with Reed’s goals and ideas, this future doesn’t seem an unlikely one!

Supported and loved by many superior brands and VIP celebs, Harris Reed is a well-needed breath of fresh air in the industry. Dressing the likes of Harry Styles, Solange Knowles, Selena Gomez, Ezra Miller, Troye Sivan and Miley Cyrus, Reed has a unique and particular style that emanates throughout his work and into the wearer. This is evident in the dress designed for Iman for the Met Gala 2021, the golden, sunbeam dress radiates Harris’s love for fashion and the limitless possibilities of the ever-changing industry, whilst also gracefully linking to the Met Gala’s theme.

Harris says that his inspiration comes from dressing up in old halloween costumes and his mums clothes at around the ages of 8 and 9, he says this is where his love for fashion first begun. You can see the playful ‘dressing-up box’ inspiration throughout all of Reed’s work. He has mentioned before that Little Bo Peep is one of many inspirations for his signature over exaggerated hats and fascinators- an unlikely source of inspiration for many, but not for the eye of Harris! A clear creative connection to this childhood nursery rhyme character is apparent in many of Harris’ collections; from his first year at CSM, his most recent re-worked bridal collection, and his “60 Years A Queen” collection which has just walked in London Fashion Week this year show.

Harris has said that it was a dream of his to bring out a bridal collection, and now he has! Entitled “Found” the collection is an extraordinary array of lace, veils and sheer material. This collection features 10 black and white looks creating a modern and sleek interpretation of classical wedding day clothes. This gender fluid bridal collection gives the wearer the breath-taking feeling that all hope to feel on their big day. A perfect balance of feminine and masculine silhouettes, the collection is unlike any other bridal collection ever designed before.

Entitled “60 Years A Queen” this demi-couture collection made its debut on the catwalk of London Fashion Week this year. His strive for fluidity is shown throughout the collection and is stunning to look at and shows a true and honest expression of Harris’s ethos. With a regal mix or corsets, gloves, and lace Harris is reaching new fashion heights many didn’t know existed. A classy and sophisticated take on fluid fashion, “60 Years A Queen” gives us a look into how broad the fluid fashion style can go!

Alongside his demi-couture collections, Harris has a “Fluid basics” collection containing a compilation of skin-toned wardrobe basics, further showing Harris’ range and passion for inclusivity for all. Soft, flexible fabric designed to make the wearer feel comfortable in their own skin no matter what, what’s not to love about that!

Harris Reed will present highlights from his outstanding Demi-couture collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Having fluid clothing and a queer designer represented in a museum is a groundbreaking step in Harris’s fight for inclusivity. The collection aims to show off the best of his work whilst educating people on the future of fluid fashion and its importance in the industry. Work from his first year at CSM to the latest LFW collection will be available for viewing. With an immersive set designed for the V&A, three fashion performances will take place in the museum’s Raphael Court on Friday 18 March, featuring designs that explore themes of performance, opulence and self- expression.

“Truly overwhelmed, this one’s for the queers and those who never thought they would see themselves represented in a museum!”

Words By Lily Grimes

_{Photo Credit: Harris Reed Instagram}

The post Harris Reed- The Designer Who Brought Gender Fluidity To The V&A appeared first on Voir Fashion.

In a culture where gender roles and stereotypes are being broken, more and more individuals are speaking out about their fluidity with gender and non-binary labels. Fortunately, we live in an environment where transgender and LGBTQ+ communities are being accepted into society and the fashion industry is finally recognising those identities in their trends and runways.

The boundaries of masculine and feminine fashion are merging together to create an androgynous look, often showcased on androgynous/non-binary models; a big ‘F-you’ to pre-existing norms where society dictated who you were and what you should wear. With fashion being a freedom of expression, androgynous trends allow those who are transgender or non-binary to wear what they want rather than trying to fit a certain feminine/masculine ideal. The trend also allows those of us who identify as cis male or cis female, to explore and find our personalities without feeling restricted to gendered clothing.

Fashion has come a long way from the full skirts of the 50’s, and figure-hugging corsets from the 1840’s. Catwalks and stores are now producing more oversized pieces of clothing that lack in shape and structure: think oversized blazers and loose trousers. Gone are the tailored shirts and body-con dresses, now replaced with baggy silhouettes keeping bodies desexualized. It’s not only women on catwalks adorning gender-fluid pieces, the men are also pushing boundaries by being seen in more feminine cuts and colours. Singer David Bowie is arguably one of the most iconic androgynous influences in recent history. His Ziggy Stardust persona is quintessential to fashion, as he integrated the worlds of feminine and masculine, keeping the public guessing his gender identity and sexuality as he defied the norms of masculinity.

A huge influencer of androgynous fashion is designer Jean-Paul Gaultier who has previously questioned, ‘What is masculine and feminine anyway?’. Some of his staple looks involved sending male models down the runway wearing floor-length, silk skirts, which is no surprise as he was also fond of dressing women in oversized power suits. His clothing often blurred the lines between masculine and feminine fashion. Gaultier was not alone in his experimental trends, Yves Saint Laurent was the first designer to introduce the suit as a form of evening wear for women in the 1960’s. His famous ‘Le smoking’ suit consisted of a black, pinstriped trouser and blazer, worn with a white ruffle shirt and black bow tie, it was considered the first tuxedo for women. The power suit has since come a long way, with A-list celebrities such as Kim Kardashian opting to wear a tailored suit instead of a gown and looking fierce for it.

Could this be the end of gender-specific fashion?

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Ella Winfield

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