Walking the walk Laith De La Cruz
Five transgender models take on the fashion industry as they book gigs and strut their stuff on reality show Strut.
Strut Season 1 Tuesdays (from 7 March) Vuzu AMP (*103) 19:30
Strut (2016- current) steps out onto the strange and narrow catwalk being strutted by five transgender models represented by Slay Model Management. It’s one of the few shows with a predominantly transgender cast, where they explain their own experiences rather than being explained as a phenomenon themselves. And as small and exclusive as it is, their modelling world is a perfect representation of the every- day world. It sways between taking joy and inspiration from “the different” on one hand while on the other shutting out everyone different in a greed and survival- driven effort to reflect only the limited tastes of the rich and powerful.
STRANGE & USUAL
“The challenge with being trans in this [modelling] industry is the same as it is for any model. We have to fit the clothes and appear marketable to casting directors and designers,” says model Arisce Wanzer. But even in a world where appearances are everything, transgender models run into resistance. “What’s crazy is that this industry is comprised of the world’s movers and shakers. These people call the shots. They tell everyone what’s cool. And yet they don’t want to be bold enough to say, ‘I like this’? The opposite of bravery is not cowardice, it’s conformity,” says Arisce. Slay Model Management co-founder (with Strut co-star Cassandra Cass) and director of scouting and development CeCe Asuncion adds that “the biggest challenge is that some brands or designers are not yet open to hiring or using a trans model in their shows”.
OUT THE MOUTHS OF MODELS
The ongoing battle between conservatism and the models’ pride, beauty and fierceness is fascinating to watch. And one of Strut’s strongest points is that it steps back to let its models’ opinions on this struggle be heard:
Dominique Jackson
“The one thing I wish the world would understand is that I’m a human being, not some unheardof phenomenon. At the beginning, I faced fear of my truth being discovered! I was fearful of going to afterparties and being hurt or, for that matter, leaving the show and being attacked by someone who figured I was transgender and believed that it was their solemn duty to rid the world of me.”
Ren Spriggs
“The main thing I wish that the world could understand is that gender is completely different from sexuality and that it wouldn’t be such a struggle to wrap their minds around it.”
“I wish I saw positive images of people who were like me on television or in magazines when I was growing up. There needs to be more positive representation. This is how you change people’s negative perceptions. I do hope that Strut can help people who are struggling with their issues and insecurities, and not just about gender identity and sexuality. This show is so much more than that!” Isis King
[She was a contestant in 2008’s season 11 of reality show America’s Next Top Model, 2003- current] “Trans people deserve the same love, support and opportunities as everyone else. No matter what part of the world you’re from, you deserve to live free and comfortable in your own skin. I want everyone to see that being trans is just a small part of what makes someone ‘ them’, so get to know the story behind someone’s eyes before you judge them.” Arisce Wanzer
“The fashion industry is notorious for tokenising: trans people, black people, Asians and other minorities are all in the same tiny boat in this business. Hire us. Feature us. Share our stories. Stop hiding us or portraying us to be freaks or sexual deviants. Start treating people as individuals. Nobody’s background is the same and we need the media to stop playing it safe and share more diverse stories.”
As Slay’s models point out, Strut isn’t just their struggle – it’s the same for everyone who’s a little off- centre. Right now, that “centre” is so tiny that most of us are a little off…