Avian Alden
'Gender Cicada' explores my unique relationship with masculinity and femininity as a transgender person, and nostalgia as a coping mechanism. My design style is heavily influenced by Harajuku fashion, particularly Fairy Kei and Decora since these are the styles that I personally wear and are permanently part of my design aesthetic.
The motif of cicadas is inspired by the poem 'Cicada' by Hosho McCreesh which reflects my experience being trans in the bug's transformation from a solitary, gloomy underground life to being reborn with wings and colour, being loudly expressive and living each day to the full. Sheer fabrics represent a 'true identity' hiding underneath an external layer such as the PVC coat containing toys from my childhood, or the knitted vest with resin pieces inside representing my true self. The other fabrics are soft, intending to reflect how nostalgia brings comfort and can be related to soft feelings of blankets or toys.
Gender Cicada aims to show a unique take on gender neutral fashion that is bright, colourful, and heavily embellished, demonstrating fashion does not have to be a perfect balance of masculine and feminine to be considered gender neutral.
