For Thought: We Are United

As Selfridges prepare this month to blur boundaries with their upcoming gender-neutral pop-up campaign, we are left to question whether society will no longer conform to the distinctivedifferences of gender accepted fashion conventions. The eight week retail experience: ‘Agender’, will feature clothes and accessories without any gender identity or specification, where women and men’s shopping and tastes will merge.

As we look back on the 80’s where fashion icons such as Grace Jones and David Bowie challenged social perceptions, the media were compelled to openly discuss the then-taboo subject of gender-bending following Jones and Bowies androgynous styles. Their aim: to shock and demonstrate a possibility of masculine and feminine becoming undivided. 

As fashion figures they created a world where individuality and fashion forward thinking could become accepted and even today, encouraging Selfridges intentions of creating a space ‘without any limitations or stereotypes.’ A somewhat expression of an emerging freedom in acknowledging the cultural shift of societies progressive attitudes toward gender. 

 

With well-known brands on the forefront and supporting the ‘Agender’ campaign such as Bodymap, Comme Des Garcons (ironically meaning; ‘like the boys’), Meadham Kirchoffand Gareth Pugh. As well as more established unisex labels: KTZ, BoyLondon and Trapstar who all have a well-known celebrity following including Rihana, A$AP Rocky and Kanye West. These brands amongst others will be sold alongside a display of photography, film, music and design pieces across three gender-less floors in a design collaboration with creative designer Faye Toogood.

The concept space will explore the inter-play between masculine and feminine, questioning the idea of gender and gender differences. As Selfridges experiments with perception on society’s norms, could ‘Agender’ be a catalyst for cultural changes in the fashion and retail industry?

Watch the exclusive Agender short film by Selfridges:

http://www.selfridges.com/content/agender-film/?cm_re=Homepage-_-Slide1-_-AgenderCampaign