HOW YUNG_ALEXANDER FOCUSES ON GENDER, AND FORM AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK.

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yung_alexander

NONBINARY FASHION

Certainly we all know many male fashion designers are gay. However, the LGBTQ community has always been under-represented on the runways. Significantly, in the last couple of years we have started to see non binary fashion and transgender models turning up on the catwalks.

So what is nonbinary ? Nonbinary gender is an umbrella term to describe any gender identity that does not fit into the gender binary of male and female. Nonbinary gender (also sometimes referred to as genderqueer) people may, for example, identify as having no gender, fall on a gender spectrum somewhere between male and female, or identify as totally outside binary gender identities.

In the fashion world this means clothing that is not gender specific. Moreover, this  exciting change was evident at Vancouver Fashion Week. From student designers to the brand  I'm writing about today, yung_alexander.

yung_alexander

Whenever, I see something on the runway that challenges me, I'm excited. Therefore the yung_alexander collection by Alexander Kershaw had me questioning and searching and thrilled. What I saw on the catwalk told me I was dealing with an intellectual designer who had thought out his every garment.

While I don't want to describe too much what I saw, pictures will tell the story, I found several things that really stood out to me.

First was the non-binary nature of the entire collection, there was really not a single garment that was gender specific. Whether I interpreted the first model as male or female was not relevant. The constant through out was the stark white quilted fabric, that had me think of a sterile environment, clean and stark. In more abstract terms, maybe I was seeing a visionary snowboard community on the runway. Neither male or female just being was the overall effect.

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yung_alexander

The second thing that stood out to me was the dynamic shapes, that appeared like puzzle pieces on the body. Furthermore, my mind started to look at these shapes as interchangeable, maybe the snaps might allow me to change the garment as I saw fit. The idea of being adaptable, whether it be gender, social or physical, stands out as these garments could morph into something else. My mind searched for a reference and I came up with a vision of my young nephews playing with their transformer toys, something about this collection says science fiction with other worldly silhouettes. Furthermore there is a sense of armor, protection from the elements and environments. The quilted nature of the garments pieces appear like shields guarding the wearer from whatever obstacles they may encounter.

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yung_alexander

Whenever, you look at a fashion designers work, it important to look at the designers history to understand their designs. While looking into Alexander Kershaw, I learned that as well as fashion, he studied architecture. At this point, the collection named "Terminus," is seen through fresh eyes.

Fashion designers who also work in architecture often use their materials as building blocks, constructing a wearable form in the same manner architects utilize concrete, cement, and glass to build up their structures. Indeed this is evident in the forms Kershaw uses to produce his looks. The garments are constructed by combining a variety of shapes, rather than using traditional pattern blocks.

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yung_alexander

photography Dale Rollings

yung_alexander - PAPER

IN CONCLUSION

An ongoing political force is the push to accept people as regards to gender. Whether people are defined as male, female, gender neutral or any other definition should be up to the individual. While fashion is a reflection of society, it can also be a force for change. In "Terminus", by yung_alexander we are challenged to look at fashion in a new exciting way. The old definitions of traditional gender, are being stripped away and a new idea is being put forth. The fashion world is a place to exchange ideas and appreciate art, as well as creating an umbrella that is large enough for all. Alexander Kershaw has definitely contributed in all these areas.

Thanks to Vancouver Fashion Week, for giving us a platform to exchange these important ideas while enjoying a safe  venue to appreciate the diversity. yung_alexander is a challenging label, in all the good ways , making us think and explore different concepts and ideas. Certainly I am on board to watch the exciting evolution of yung_alexander.

Instagram:  @yung_alexander

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/yungestalexander/

 

WHAT'S HOT...

Since many of you know me, you are well aware that I wear sunglasses always. While I do choose them first based on style , I am also very light sensitive. So for those who thought I was paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld at Vancouver Fashion Week, that's only part of the story.

One of my main focuses regarding fashion is that personal style beats trends every time. Therefore one of the main stays of personal style is eye-wear. Darling's let it be said that I am not an expert on eye-wear, if you are choosing eye glasses for corrective vision consult an expert. Therefore if you are one of my local followers here in Vancouver, search out the talents of Sue Randhawa of the The Optical Boutique, offering optical expertise with fabulous style.

As far as sunglasses go I prefer to choose a signature pair, that tells you who I am, through my personal style. However I have chosen a selection of some fabulous styles that you can select from.

Gucci

Square-frame sunglasses
$480

Le Specs

The Last Lolita Cat Eye Sunglasses
$80

Gucci

Gucci Eyewear round oversized sunglasses
$241

Alice + Olivia

Alice + Olivia STACEY SUNGLASSES
$225

Karen Walker

 Round Frame Sunglasses  Tortoiseshell
$193

Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban Aviator Classic
$153

Fendi

Fendi Eyewear geometric sunglasses
$344

Prada

Prada Linea Rossa wrap sunglasses
$234

Gucci

Rectangular sunglasses
$375

 

 

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CIAO FOR NOW J.ANDREW