In case you were suddenly awoken on September 8, 2018, by an unexpected jolt of the Earth, I can proudly say no, it was not the tectonic plates shifting grudgingly below you, and no, you did not simply dream it. This sonic boom was actually the ricochet of the roof of the Hammerstein Ballroom being blown off by Marco Marco’s Collection Seven runway debut, featuring New York Fashion Week’s first ever all transgender model line-up.
It was colorful (from the gorgeous palette of skin tones, to the brightly sequined skivvies, to the custom-made Wildform wigs) It was YAS-QUEEN-inducing. It was earth AND stigma shattering (see above paragraph). But most of all: it made history.
Designer Marco Morante, best known for his provocative yet playful underwear label, brought together a truly diverse roster of 34 models, 14 women and 20 men, all with their own unique transgender experience. The cast of models included the crème de la crème of trans celebrity: Pose actresses Dominique Jackson and Angelica Ross, Transparent star Trace Lysette, RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna Carmen Carrera, and viral YouTube makeup artist GiGi Gorgeous. The show also featured up-and-coming talent such as Instagram sensation Laith Ashley, a crowd favorite for sure.
“Although I have always had trans and non-binary people in my shows, it became apparent to me that their presence was often overshadowed by cis gay men or cis gay men in drag,” said Morante. “I wanted to create a space to celebrate trans bodies. This was an opportunity for their presence to be undeniable and reinforce that trans is beautiful.”
Morante’s show was truly a MOMENT for inclusion, diversity, and feminism and to have experienced it firsthand was something remarkable. From the palpable positive energy surging between models, glam teams, media, and the audience, to the overflow of uplifting compliments and embraces basking in the thralls of sisterhood and brotherhood backstage, it was a fabulous force to be reckoned with.
I asked what feminism meant to some of the models, and if their experience gave them a unique perspective that we could all learn a 'lil something from:
One trans-male model, Dezjorn Gauthier even told me that at any other show he would have to cover-up his scars with makeup, yet here, he was finally free to present his true self and story to the world. This runway was a loudspeaker for the infinite interpretations of the human experience, embracing, and downright showing off, every imperfection along the way. And the crowd was HERE for it.
This was most evident at the show’s finale, a testament to why despite the neon wigs, cheeky outfits, and playful personas of the models, this was serious business.
As actress Dominique Jackson closed the show, she pivoted at the halfway mark on the catwalk, looked up over her shoulder into the crowd, and held a strong, sexy, prolonged glance at the audience. In doing so, she impaled us all, right through the soul with just one stance. Then, after a perfectly-dramatic pause, she proceeded to werk her way through extra lap back to the end of the runway. The audience jumped to their feet in celebration before she round the corner, their cheers drowning out the music. Jackson, however, remained poised, confident, and commanding.
It was the strut heard around the world.
But most of all, it was a message delivered loud and clear, representing not only transgender women, but the trans community, and anyone who has felt marginalized or excluded by the mainstream -- fashion, beauty, culture, ANYTHING. In this unprecedented pivot-turn she proclaimed “We’re here, we’re beautiful, and we’re not going anywhere. This is not a trend, and this is not a drill.”
See it for yourself...
The response from the audience, celebrities, and media outlets has been overwhelmingly positive. Actor David Burtka, (and NPH’s hubby!) said via told the Huffington Post, “This is an incredibly huge step forward for the LGBTQ community, I’ve never seen a show like this before and I hope more designers take note.”
Even the legendary Laverne Cox posted a clip of the show’s finale, acknowledging just how far the #transisbeautiful movement, a social media campaign Cox herself started three years ago, has come.
We have come far, but must still press forward together in the mission of inclusion, representation, and a continued effort and awareness including trans-women in the feminist conversation. But after the Marco Marco show, I truly believe that the intersection of fashion, beauty, and feminism is looking more inclusive than ever. I never thought I would be hugging strangers around me and wiping (happy) tears from my face at my first Fashion Week, but that's what makes the fight worth it, isn't it?
Want to see what Fashion History looks like? Check out the entire show here:
Image Credit: Getty Images
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