Androgynity represents the features of both the binaries of that of masculinity and feminity. It was a consequence of the suffrage era when women became liberated in their fashion choices. They did not just embrace feminity with sultry dresses and designs highlighting the posterior and boobs. However, there was a parallel movement in fashion with women embracing masculinity in Hollywood like Katherine Hepburn in the early 1900s. However, in the 70s decade, we saw men experimenting with fashion where David Bowie and Prince were helming the movement.
In London, Punk was on the rise due to the failure of the system as answer to that. Designers like Vivienne Westwood were creating highly erotic and sexualized pieces out of fabrics. But, in the 70s, there was a Peacock revolution after the decriminalization of homosexuality in Britain. It was called the ‘Peacock Revolution’. Many male bands and artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and others were the pioneers. But, Prince took the reins of the movement in the 80s as well wearing exquisite jumpsuits, boots, and colors resonating with the LGBTQIA+ community. He stunned on the red carpet of the 57th Academy Awards event.
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Prince Wore A Purple Sequinned Jumpsuit At The 1985 Oscars
In 1984, Prince released an album and a musical titled, ‘Purple Rain’. The budget of the film was $7 million. It was a risky decision to make and execute, but Prince wanted to extend his fan base and take his music beyond a certain community. Prince’s whole career was built upon experimentation—whether it was with music or fashion. He took a risk with all debutants with his film team. The film grossed $68 million in the USA and the album peaked on Billboard 200 list for 24 weeks.
The film and album went beyond the otherworldly and sexually affluent persona of Prince. It was a semi-origin story of a person who revolutionized music by meshing genres and transcending the very concept of a “genre”. It was everything that Prince was not what he portrayed—rough, vulnerable, and cute. He hated doing interviews and putting himself out there. So, the album was the revelation of the most-beloved pop figure. The film was nominated at the 57th Academy Awards.
Prince was nominated for ‘Best Original Song Score’. He was running against the contender ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’. During the event, he adorned a beautiful sequinned jumpsuit with a veil on his hand and sultry, fishnet gloves. Lisa Coleman and Mendy Melvoin, the Revolution bandmates, joined him on stage to accept the award. Yes, Prince won the award! The risk was a worthy one!
But, along with the award, he gave us a fashion moment that was everything he was—camp, mysterious as purple symbolic means discreet and resistance for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a true devotee of his music. For him, androgyny and music stood for one thing— ‘expression of the repression’.
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Androgyny is the celebration of fluidity and the identity one wants to put forward. When a dress is a mere fabric, there is no gender identity attached to it. The cuts, the sewing, and the designs may make it conducive for the binaries to wear. However, the pioneers of androgynous fashion like Grace Jones, David Bowie, Nirvana, Prince, and others are still reverberating in today’s time.
In today’s times, Harry Styles has epitomized contemporary androgyny. The boas, scintillating jackets, jumpsuits, and heavy accessorization characterized his fashion. There are questions raised about his sexual orientation and gender identity, but it is no one’s business but theirs! He is also accused of queer baiting, but since when fabrics, colors, and clothes have gained a gender, sexuality, religion, and other things?
During an interview for Vogue Germany, he admitted that his musical heroes have influenced his flamboyant stage style. He said, “The people I’ve looked up to in music – Prince and David Bowie and Elvis and Freddie Mercury and Elton John – they’re such showmen. As a kid, it was completely overwhelming.”
Styles continued, “Now when I put on something really extravagant, it doesn’t feel crazy. I think when you have something that you feel incredible in, it’s like a superhero outfit.”
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