Vogue discussed gender fluidity in its August edition featuring Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik on the cover story. The fashion and lifestyle magazine emphasized the impact of the gender-bending approach to the evolution of fashion and how it changed the image of runway shows. It cited Alessandro Michele's concept as an example, where the Italian designer dresses his female models in suits while his Gucci boys channel his floral collections.
Inside Gigi and Zayn's photo shoot
The celebrity couple, in the accompanying interview, confessed that often borrow each other's clothes which made them "part of a new generation embracing gender fluidity" as what the magazine titled their story.
The 22-year-old model confessed she usually shops in his beau's closet, who in return borrows some of her shirts. Malik, on the other hand, could not care less if the clothes were made for women.
“Totally. It’s not about gender. It’s about, like, shapes. And what feels good on you that day. And anyway, it’s fun to experiment," Hadid agreed to the former One Direction member.
Their statements were supported by Anwar Hadid who said that this generation has no problem with wearing clothes of the opposite gender. “People our age, we’re just chill. You can be whoever you want as long as you’re being yourself," he exclaimed.
Vogues gets slammed for misconception of gender fluidity
The renowned fashion and lifestyle paper claimed that this gender-bending approach is a proof that "a paradigm shift has taken place" in the fashion industry.
Readers, however, thought that the magazine has misunderstood the meaning of gender fluidity. Some of them even criticized Vogue for featuring cisgender people in its cover story.
Don't undestand vogue's issue about gender fluidity with cis ppl on the cover You have hundreds of gender fluid ppl why not use any of them?
— Mel de Quevedo (@paprikacrocante) July 15, 2017
me and my ex boyfriend used to share hoodies i can't believe we were gender fluid WHERE is my vogue cover!?!?!
— P P PP P pEWWW PIPPA (@pippalowthorpe) July 14, 2017
Vogue Magazine clearly has no understanding of gender fluidity nor the dangers faced by those who are actually gender fluid.
— Jermaine Fletcher (@RedFletcher) July 14, 2017
After drawing backlash for their latest edition, the fashion and lifestyle magazine released an official statement to apologize for failing to deliver what they truly meant for writing the story.
“The story was intended to highlight the impact the gender-fluid, non-binary communities have had on fashion and culture,” it said as cited by ET Online. "We are very sorry the story did not correctly reflect that spirit – we missed the mark.”
Despite the criticisms, Vogue expressed their willingness to discuss gender fluidity with "greater sensitivity" in their future issues. Hadid and Malik, who were also slammed for the cover story, have yet to give their comments on the controversy.
