High fashion is no stranger to breaking down gender boundaries. The street style at this year’s Men’s Fashion Week is characterized by guys in skirts to beat the heat. The haute couture runway was one of the first places to free the nipple. Now, even Vogue writes about the influence of the drag scene! As a member of the LGBT community, I wanted to incorporate more of its art into my own summer style.
I came out to my parents last June, and the sense of freedom that followed has not left me. It might sound like a cliché, but coming out allowed me the freedom of self-expression. I can unapologetically draw style and makeup inspiration from drag queens and other gay artists because my family now understands that the artsy LGBT community is my community. I don’t sport a Frida Kahlo unibrow or even draw one on with my beloved brow pomade like Sasha Velour, but I have learned to contour like a pro and style monochromatic outfits, both mainstream fashion trends that have origins in drag. Graphic eyeliner has become an everyday must. Givenchy’s F/W 2017 collection, Alexander McQueen, and America’s Next Drag Superstar have iconic red monochrome looks that inspire my style.
High fashion and art go hand in hand. The daring choices made in fashion resonate with me because they remind me that how I want to express myself is not some unattainable thing, that it’s being done now by people who feel like me. It does sometimes feel that incorporating this form of art into my life makes me stand out. How many people really do wear vintage earrings or Henri Matisse headbands every day? Instead of letting that make me feel distressed, I turn it into a source of comfort. This style connects me to my favorite artists and a community I am proud to be part of. Fashion is not just the latest trend, fashion is an art and so I want my style to reflect that.
Be sure to let us know how you work art into your style by showing us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!
