WHAT IS GENDERFUL FASHION?
DENIZ AKKAYA
During the pandemic, Gen Z has started to rewrite the fashion rules- the first rule being that all rules were meant to be broken.
At the Met Gala in September, Troye Sivan wore a bicep cuff from the Leather Man, a diamond Cartier necklace, and a scoop-front tank dress that limned his narrow frame by a label no one had ever heard of called Altu. And now, Joseph Altuzarra introduced on Thursday a new “genderful” brand, dubbed ‘Altu’, that aims to reimagine and challenge traditional notions of dress. But what does it mean? *Cue the Miley Cyrus video*
“’Genderful’ encompasses the plurality of an individual’s presented identity, and encourages positivity within the spectrum of gender presentations and expressions,” a press release explained. A term meant to bring liberation to the fashion realm, ‘genderful’ has begun to replace terms like ‘genderless’ and ‘gender-neutral’ in light of intentionally creating a fashion environment for all body types, sizes, and genders. Gender-fluid designs have been on the rise over the last decade with more brands considering inclusivity in the way their customers shop and what they buy. Meanwhile, global stars like Harry Styles have been applauded for adopting gender-fluid style, along with others like Billie Eilish.
Comprised of garments that can be worn by any and all bodies, regardless of gender, ‘genderful’ fashion aims to bring positivity to boundless inclusivity. While terms like ‘genderless’ have a negative connotation, the use of the word ‘genderful’ supports the constant flow of one’s identity and self-expression through fashion.
Launched on Altu.world, the inaugural collection is a line of elevated and incredibly cool basics. Oversized knits, sleek leather pants, and logo-printed sweats stand out and reflect a mashup of essential closet pieces and contemporary trends. Featuring a myriad of neutral tones, the collection is a simple, yet undoubtedly effective first step for the brand.
Overall, this new action is a major effort to appeal to a younger generation looking for clothing and brands that are not restricted by gender-based conventions. With this particular group in mind, Altu is more than just a fashion line, but also a refreshing challenge to cultural norms and how they reflect in our style.
