There's no denying the lines of gender are often blurred in fashion, with supermodels like Andrej Pejic stealing the show in both men's and women's runway shows, but Brian Shumway's 'True Men' project investigates how this flexibility translates into everyday life.
The Brooklyn-based photographer explores the subject of male identity in this 17-part photo series, capturing men who, by traditional standards of gender roles, are not considered "masculine." The project aims to show how, in Brian's own words, the men in the photos "possess an effeminate manner, dress, or look, a ‘girlishness’ that is as much a part of being male as weightlifting and football."
The views of North American society on gender roles and norms are definitely shifting, but, as Brian Shumway's 'True Men' shows, the deep-rooted traditional (and somewhat outdated) ideas of what "makes a man" are, unfortunately, difficult to shed.
Gender Role-Reversal Photography
Brian Shumway's 'True Men' Series Shows Alternate Masculinity
Trend Themes
1. Blurred Gender Lines - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore and challenge traditional gender norms in fashion and everyday life.
2. Alternative Masculinity - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Redefine the concept of masculinity by highlighting a broader range of expressions and identities.
3. Shifting Gender Roles - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Address the evolving views on gender roles by creating inclusive spaces and products for all individuals.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop gender-neutral clothing lines that celebrate diverse expressions of identity.
2. Photography - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Use photography as a medium to challenge and redefine societal norms surrounding masculinity.
3. Social Commentary - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize art and media to foster conversations and critical thinking about gender roles and stereotypes.