Trend Alert: Gender-Bending Models Are So Hot Right Now

One of the most interesting contradictions of the fashion industry is the conundrum of models. For a business that is so notoriously liberal and obsessed with new, never-before-seen concepts the standards of beauty have been unwaveringly limited. Unless used for a specific effect, female models tend to be thin and white. But there has been a recent micro-trend arising from within the industry that has piqued our interest: androgynous and transgenered models. Usually it takes three to make a trend and we're already well-versed in the world of Givenchy muse Lea T (male-to-female transgendered) and Andrej Pejic (a young gentleman who often walks in women's shows dressed as a lady-in-waiting). These two have been making major waves in the industry for some time now, and now Italian Vogue featured another MTF trans face -- model Valentijn de Hingh (pictured above). She's walked in the shows of labels like Maison Martin Margiela and Comme des Garcons as well as starred in editorials for fashion tomes like LOVE and Candy Magazine.

As always, we're thrilled to see different types of individuals welcomed, with warm arms, to the fashion world, but it still seems that thin and white are prevailing precedent in the modeling world. But it goes without saying that seeing a more expanded acceptance of femininity is an exciting development.

photo: David Koppelaar