Androgyny's back!

Brian Molko

David Bowie

Phillipa Brown of Ladyhawke

Patti smith

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ (anér, meaning man) and γυνή (gyné, meaning woman) and refers to the mixing of masculine and feminine characteristics, as in fashion or hermaphroditism.
Androgyny has always been present in fashion and music alike, well especially for mine and my mums generation. From the early attributes in the 1950's acts Elvis and Little Richard. It provokes a spectrum of reactions, most of which I think are positive, and can create a sense of anarchy and inspiration among people.

The emergence of the glam rock scene in new York, with the New York dolls, T-Rex and Roxy music started a whole new look in the music industry which filtered quickly into British acts like The Rolling stones. Influx of androgyny into popular music in the 80's was also displayed in acts the such as Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson and Boy George, and more recently, Crystal Castles, Placebo, Marilyn Manson and Phillipa Brown from Ladyhawke etc etc etc all display various degrees of androgynous looks, most of which aren't that revolutionary or shocking today.

I was recently at a party where pretty much all of the men were more than happy to let me apply black eyeliner on them, and this definitely wasn’t there first time, not sure if they would have worn a feminine blouse or a skirt that may have been a step too far for most of them. But there here is something really alluring and appealing about a man in makeup, David Bowie is a brilliant example of how his alter ego Ziggy Stardust appealed to both men and women in his overtly androgynous persona on stage.

More and more men wear makeup, and skinny girl jeans from topshop and more women by men’s clothing and accessories, be it brogues, oversized jackets, or chunky boots. Makeup brands are even capitalising on this huge market with male targeted campaigns such as Yves saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, Mac and Clinique, (and yes this is for straight men too). I was in New York in October and a woman who owned a vintage clothing shop was discussing how she just saw the most beautiful person ever, and that they was so strikingly beautiful in an androgynous way, she didn’t know whether this person was male or female. 'Oh I just LOVE that androgyny is back!' she exclaimed, touché!.

Limi Feu's 2010 ready to wear collection is a perfect example of modern androgyny. She also featured male models wearing her women’s wear on the catwalk.
The show featured characteristic men’s details such as large collars, lapels, and pockets.