Luxury brands around the world are breaking the mold of traditional gender norms — becoming gender neutral and challenging expectations of what clothing can be for. From the bright, fluid executions of Gucci to the gender-bending collections of Marc Jacobs, the move to gender-neutral fashion is changing the fashion landscape in a big way. As luxury brands continue to push the limits of fashion, PhotoBook Magazine takes a deep dive into what it means to be gender neutral and why luxury brands are moving in this direction.
1. Embracing Gender Neutrality: Luxury Brands Take a Step Forward
Over the past few years, luxury fashion brands have been making bold statements about embracing gender neutrality. Spanning both high-street stores and high-end labels, many leading designers have taken decisive steps towards inclusivity by providing a broader range of options.
At the foundation of this movement is the idea that fashion should be released from conventional gender boundaries and categories. With a range of gender-inclusive collections appearing on the runways, fashion-forward individuals can now choose from an expansive set of options that are not limited to gender-specific designs.
- Gucci – Through their collections, Gucci embraced gender-inclusivity by breaking down societal stereotypes and conceptions.
- Yves Saint Laurent – YSL gender-neutral collections blurred the lines between men’s and women’s fashion, challenging accepted sartorial norms.
- Burberry –
Burberry extended their signature trench coat offering in a gender-inclusive range, as well as introducing a line of uni-sex sweaters.
As an industry, fashion is embracing gender neutrality in new and exciting ways. Luxury brands are leading the way, in part because of their greater scale and influence. In turn, this sets an industry-wide precedent for embracing androgyny in all forms, including clothing, attitude, and even beauty.
2. The Benefits of Fashion Without Gender Bias
Fashion Unites us All
The beauty of fashion is that it is universal, with no requirement to abide by outdated gender-based guidelines. We can all express ourselves through what we wear, no matter who we are or how we identify. Today, people are increasingly recognizing that fashion is a form of art, not a form of conformity. Everyone has the right to express themselves through clothing, regardless of gender.
We are in a time of liberation in fashion. Women can wear traditionally male-driven looks, such as suits or statement trousers, while men can rock gender-fluid dresses, skirts and blouses. It no longer matters what is ‘expected’ of us – instead, what makes us feel most powerful and comfortable should be the guiding factor. By disregarding gender stereotypes when it comes to fashion, you’ll be free to dress the way you want without judgement.
Moreover, when it comes to children’s fashion, it’s important to let them explore a variety of style options, so they can discover what resonates most with them. Shopping for your kids with no gender boundaries will enable them to develop their own style without the pressure of traditional expectations.
Here are some ways to celebrate genderless fashion:
- Shop without restrictions
- Stay away from gendered fashion
- Look for gender-neutral clothing lines
- Support and embrace a diverse array of personal styles
By shaking up traditional norms and pushing boundaries, we can break down gender barriers, create more sustainable wardrobes and ultimately, become more inclusive. Fashion without gender bias provides us with a powerful opportunity to express our identity and be proud of who we are. Together, let’s break down these walls and celebrate the freedom to be unique.
3. How Gender Neutral Clothing is Shifting the Industry Status Quo
In the last few years, gender neutral clothing has become increasingly popular in the fashion industry, creating a seismic shift in its status quo. Challenging binary notions of male and female styling, gender-neutral clothing reflects the shifting conversations on gender identity in the modern era. We are seeing a wide range of gender neutral apparel that seamlessly combine traditional masculine and feminine characteristics in a single piece.
Vibrant colours, androgynous silhouettes, and little to no distinctions in garments for men and women are now common. Brands like Zara, H&M and Uniqlo have even gone a step further and developed gender-free collections. Big names like Calvin Klein and Gucci have also introduced genderless lines, as fashion moguls adapt to the changing preferences of the public.
- Unique designs: Without the usual connotations of gender associated with clothing, gender neutral clothing has opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to unique design and colour combinations
- Flexible style: Whether you like a fitted suit or an oversized jumper, gender neutral clothing offers a flexible styling choice
- Adaptability to shifts: By embracing gender neutral clothing, fashion giants have shown that they are prepared to adapt to the changing landscape of the industry.
4. Crafting a More Inclusive World, One Luxury Brand at a Time
Today, more and more luxury brands are finding ways to become more inclusive and foster interconnectedness. From promoting compassion, understanding, respect and equal rights to rewarding local initiatives, luxury brands are redefining the intersection between sustainability and style.
Here are just a few of the recent initiatives luxury brands are taking to help build a more sustainable world:
- Promoting Ethical and Sustainable Practices – Luxury brands are devoting their business strategy to pursue ethical and sustainable practices that foster progressive models for ethical commerce and sustainable fashion.
- Fostering Inclusivity – Many luxury brands are now taking the extra step to ensure their products and services reach all members of society, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, race, and other personal attributes.
- Rewarding Local Initiatives – Recognizing the important role local communities play, a growing number of luxury brands are initiating partnerships to support local development programs, organization, and more sustainable production processes.
Overall, luxury brands are making strides to craft an ever more inclusive world, and to make conscious lifestyle choices a common part of day-to-day life. By committing to ethical production processes and increasing accessibility, luxury brands are breaking down boundaries and building a more connected world.
As the fashion industry continues to evolve, there appears to be a definitive shift to a more gender-inclusive approach to style, with many luxury brands leading the charge. By offering extensive gender-neutral collections, luxury brands are making sure everyone is included in the fashion conversation. No matter your gender, there is something for you to enjoy and be passionate about.
