Any fashion event in Nigeria is always an intersection of gender fluidity and androgynous fashion which is fashion that’s neither male nor female. With the array of self-expression, you would believe that you were at a Pride parade.
Young Nigerians channel gender-fluidity at every fashion event
Young Nigerians use fashion events as an outlet for gender fluidity and to break away from normal heteronormal and societal patterns of dressing.
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At fashion events, young people let out their creativity and self-expression. You would most likely see a young man wearing a skirt, a very tight skirt, a corset, heels, makeup, acrylic nails and body art or combining outfits in what many will consider absurd.
It almost seems like fashion week is the only time they can fully express themselves like they’ve been bottling these feelings and styles until then.
More than genderless fashion, bizarre fashion statements are made. There is a video of a young lady using condoms on her hair.
It speaks of some sort of artistry and creativity that is known with Gen Zs, the desire to shock and express ourselves regardless of what society thinks.
Interestingly, they are hardly alone because it takes bravery to show up in a skirt and heels as a man in Nigeria, they are mostly in the company of their friends.
It’s hard to say if these are merely fashion statements or an expression of their inner androgynousness or even more considering how Nigeria has criminalised queerness or LGBTQ+. Would they love to cross-dress more in their real lives or is it just for fashion events?
It’s important to say that we are not making declarations about their sexuality. One cannot determine a person’s sexuality simply because of their outfits - we can’t say they are gay, lesbian or bi, we are simply saying their fashion is androgynous or genderless.
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