This interview summarizes discusses androgyny and gender fluidity from the perspective of Elliott Sailors, a model who presents themselves androgynously. Elliott defines androgyny as having both male and female physical attributes but feels more gender fluid, being able to flow between masculine and feminine experiences. Elliott enjoys expressing different sides of themselves through dressing in both feminine and masculine ways but does not identify as LGBTQ. They discuss how their androgynous presentation affects interactions and how they prefer to dress in different contexts or countries.

1. DASH Magazine138 DASH Magazine 139
At a time when sexuality issues are
at the forefront of pop media, those
whose natural appearances are
atypically skewed in the direction of
an opposite sex are often misclassified
as belonging to the x, y or z LGBTQ
group. In reality, natural androgyny’s
a phenomenon that garners little
spotlight but has just as many of its
own issues as the next ‘non-normative’
identity classification.Those who are
naturally androgynous can usually
do something to make themselves
appear more masculine or feminine;
what others often have trouble
understanding is why they don’t.
Choosing to look like the centre of a
scale or even to purposely edge over
into the territory of another gender
when you don’t necessarily identify
as LGBTQ is often, for whatever
reason, interpreted as a statement.
Maybe it is, but it might not be as
politically charged as one would think.
To get an insight into what it’s like to
be one of these subjects, Symonne
Torpy and Ford Leland sat down with
Elliott Sailors to talk about her
change from modelling as a woman to
modelling as a man.
Elliott, how do you define androgyny?
I consider it to be a combination of
both male and female attributes. I use
androgyny more as a way of describing
something or someone physically. I
wouldn’t say I ‘feel’ androgynous; the
feeling’s more like gender fluidity –
being able to flow between a more
-------------------------------
At The Centre Of The Spectrum
by Symonne Torpy and Ford Leland
in cyberspace
Illustration: Uli KnÖrzer, based
on a photo by Olimpia Soheve
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masculine and feminine experience of
life. I’m a woman and don’t have any
plans on altering my gender. I don’t
think I fit whatever the traditional idea
of femininity is though. Oftentimes I
think and feel like what people might
typically call a ‘guy’.
Does it mean something different for
a man to be androgynous than for a
woman?
Society in general seems much more
accepting of androgynous women
than men, which is incredibly
unfortunate and obviously an unfair
double standard. I believe that there’s
a gender spectrum, just as there’s a
sexuality spectrum, and that they
aren’t one and the same. It seems that
in both regards the world gives
women more space and freedom to
express themselves towards the centre,
but I also see that it’s changing to
become more accepting, which is a
beautiful thing!
In an industry where men are
generally paid much less than women,
how does your gender affect your
relationship with male-male models?
In all the conversations I’ve had with
male models about my choice, they’ve
always been completely supportive
and encouraging in every way. When
the financial differences enter the
conversation some even say they wish
they could do it the other way around.
Do you think money impacts the
beauty ideal for women differently
than it does for men?
Women in general spend more
money on trying to achieve what they
see as the beauty ideal. I certainly
enjoy spending less time and money
preparing myself when working in
menswear.
In everyday life, how do you decide
how to dress? Are there occasions
when consciously you decide to go
more masculine or feminine?
I’ve always been a pretty casual
dresser. Now that I have short hair,
people see the same clothes I’ve
always worn as more masculine.
However, I dress differently when
going to men’s as opposed to
womenswear castings. In everyday
life you’ll hear me say things like,
“Today I want to look more like a
girl,” or, “Just making sure, I look like
a boy, yeah?” I enjoy gender fluidity
and embracing both expressions. It’s
certainly more rare for me to dress in a
super feminine way, but when I do, it’s
because it’s fun. I do tend to dress like
that when attending formal occasions,
but depending on if I want to attract
attention and what kind.
Does it affect how you feel
throughout the day?
Only when I notice others’ responses.
I find it entertaining when people are
trying to figure out my gender or I walk
into an establishment and they call
me ‘Sir’. Not so much though when
being stopped entering the women’s
restroom or a security guard comes
to escort me out. I don’t want to upset
anyone. I also don’t like when they
feel embarrassed for calling me ‘Sir’.
I just want people to feel comfortable
around all expressions of gender.
Is it affecting how you approach
others?
Not at all.
Does it allow you to show different
sides of yourself?
Absolutely! I love being able to
express myself – from the ultra femme
to a dapper-looking gentleman and
everything in between. Often I wear
a combination of men’s, women’s
and unisex pieces, making my typical
look gender neutral. My experience
of life is lived most often at the centre
of the spectrum, but I fully enjoy the
occasions when presenting myself
towards both extremes.
What’s the interview question you get
asked the most?
“Why did you cut your hair?” In
private I’m most often asked about my
sexuality. I appreciate being able to
explain that gender and sexuality are
two different things.
Do you feel inspired to present
yourself differently depending on the
country or space you’re in?
These questions are interesting
because I’m thinking more about those
things answering them now than ever
in daily life. Since cutting my hair I
can’t recall a time I dressed differently
depending on the country. Prior to that
I dressed in traditional female clothing
when visiting the Côte d’Ivoire and
the United Arab Emirates, but not
because I felt any pressure. It was just
my choice at the time as I enjoyed the
alternative experience of life that came
with it.The only time I debated what
to wear was recently when attending
a traditional Jewish wedding in
Brooklyn. I chose to wear a dress and
shawl to cover my shoulders.
Coffee or tea? Any preferred roasts or
flavours?
When in England, always tea. In
France or Italy, coffee. At home I have
every flavour of tea imaginable, but
in NYC my absolute favourite is New
Orleans iced coffee from Blue Bottle.
Un
Expresso
con …
Model
ELLIOTT
Un Espresso con ...