Sean Woodall carries her dysphoria with her every day, so literally carrying around a physical rendering of the word “dysphoria” seemed like the next logical step. After starting fledgling accessories line Fencing last June based mostly off social media buzz and commissions, the transfemme designer started focusing on jewelry and accessories that would let queers literally wear their pain on their sleeves.
Out spoke with Woodall about dysphoria, euphoria and everything in between. Read on to see images from Fencing’s most recent editorial, shot by Rin Kim and starring Al Ki Jawani, and to learn more about the intentions behind Woodall’s work.
“Chunky chain jewelry has been having a moment in queer fashion, I wanted to embrace that trend and inject concepts and language that had literal connotations to transness. Gays love loud, chunky jewelry that makes them feel powerful, [and] It's been easier to source high quality materials through actual industrial manufacturers.”
“The Dysphoria and Euphoria plaques have their definitions etched in the context of my gender experience. I wanted to make the plaques look a bit monolithic and museum-like so that people would notice them and maybe absorb the information they display.”
“I carry around my dysphoria with me every day. It's something that is always buzzing away in my head. I guess it's kind of a punk mindset but I wanted to let people wear that pain on their sleeve.”
“On the other hand, I don't think gender euphoria is talked about enough in our community. We can have our transness validated by our joy of expression as well. Trans people don't get to express their suffering or their joy in the way they deserve to.”
“I think a lot about gender expression in terms of the performative aspect, and how trans people especially have to often consciously don alternate personas in order to survive. We are good actors when we have to be.”
“I [chose the name Fencing] because like the allusions to industrial manufacturing, putting up barriers between people. At least that is what I tell most people, there is a secret meaning to the name that I don't really feel comfortable sharing currently, but someday I will.
