Comedian and actor David Walliams, of Little Britain Fame (new to you if you're in the US), is certainly no stranger to cross-dressing.
He has now taken this a step further by modeling high end female fashion in a UK magazine.
The resulting pictures are brilliantly random and the clothes are surprisingly well modeled...if you can pull your eyes away from his uber hairy legs that is!
Implications - Photoshoots and art that defy the conventions of gender through cross dressing or character embodiment attract a lot of press and attention from a population intrigued by gender divides. With the rise of feminism, women embodying men in culture and gender-androgynous fashions are commonplace. However, men embodying women or sporting women's fashions is still either perceived as odd or comedic, as society's emphasis on masculinity still remains unaltered.
Men In Women's Couture
David Walliams Really Is a Laydee
Trend Themes
1. Gender-bending Fashion - The increasing popularity of men modeling high-end female fashion presents an opportunity for brands to create genderless clothing lines that cater to a wider audience.
2. Breaking Gender Stereotypes - Fashion brands can disrupt societal notions of gender by pushing the boundaries and normalizing men modeling women's clothing, creating new markets for inclusive fashion.
3. Creative Expressions of Identity - Creative expressions of identity, such as cross-dressing and character embodiment, are gaining attention and brands can leverage this trend to create more inclusive and representative marketing campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can capitalize on the trend of men modeling high-end female fashion by creating innovative designs that cater to diverse audiences.
2. Beauty Industry - The beauty industry can disrupt traditional notions of masculinity by normalizing male use of beauty and skincare products, creating new markets for inclusive products.
3. Entertainment Industry - The entertainment industry can utilize the trend of cross-dressing and gender-bending as a vehicle for representation in TV shows, movies and other media, creating opportunities for diverse storytelling.