Though the fashion industry has always played with gender roles and sexuality, androgynous models didn’t come into mainstream until the 1990s, and even then, they were clearly male or female with feminine or masculine features in get-up of the opposite sex. Models like Jenny Shimizu, Eve Salvail, and Omahyra Mota (to name a few); all paved the way for models like Andrej Pejic, Casey Legler, and Elliott Sailors.
Today’s generation of gender bending models it seems have elevated the art of androgyny to the next level. While previous models were only able to keep the illusion in photograph, the androgynous models today are able to pull of the illusion both on camera and on the runway. Androgynous models have become so trendy it seems that almost every modeling agency has one for hire.
The latest addition to the roster is Swedish model Erika Linder. In her short career, Erika has already mastered the artistry of male and female modeling. In her latest campaign for the Swedish label Crocker by JC Jeans Company, Erika seamlessly models both menswear and womenswear for the brand. Her costar for the shoot – Herself! Erika’s male and female likeness were superimpose in single photographs for the campaign. In Crocker’s “Whatever” campaign video, the transformation happens right before your eyes.
The company published the following statement on their website –
“By starring Erika as the model for both male and female styles, we want this collection to inspire creativity and confidence as we set out to break new boundaries within the fashion industry,”
The campaign is brilliantly executed and it’s hard to say which style Erika looks better in as she looks equally hot in both!
Side bar – Erika seems to totally be channeling Edward Furlong in Terminator 2 right down to the squinty expression when modeling the menswear collection.
STYLE MADE ME DO IT 