How Jaden Smith is Transforming the Way We Think About Gender (and Why That’s Amazing)
Last month, Jaden Smith’s long-awaited Louis Vuitton ad graced the pages of our favorite fashion magazines. For those of us that have seen the ad, we know that Jaden SLAYED his photo shoot. For those of you just learning about the JS + LV collab, Jaden became the new face of Louis V’s spring-summer women’s collection. Yes, you read that right. Jaden Smith modelled made-for-women’s clothing. On camera.
Before you pick up your jaw, riddle me this: Why is it that you are so shocked about Jaden’s new look? Believe it or not, this wasn’t the first traditionally feminine outfit the Karate Kid star sported. In fact, Jaden was spotted wearing a dress and flowered crown to Coachella in April 2015 and a dress to prom later that year. "I like wearing super drapey things so I can feel as though I'm a superhero,” he told E! News.
Jaden did more than just pull-off a knee-length skirt, fringe tank and moto jacket better than we could in his LV ’16 ad, he made a HUGE statement about the way that we see gender and fashion (and gender in fashion). In a society filled with rigid expectations for masculinity (“Be a MAN”) and femininity (“Act like a LADY”), we follow a strict set of guidelines to adhere to these expectations for our gender. Whether it’s baggy pants and beer for men or sundresses and makeup for women, America tends to put people in a box. Jaden smashed, crushed and karate-kicked these gender norms into complete dust; he is changing the dialogue.
Jaden Smith and his Louis V ad are transforming the way that we think about gender, and here’s how:
Redefining how we use fashion
Between the hierarchy of gender, race, sexuality and religion, clothing is often forgotten about as one of the major tools that we use to navigate and bring order to the world. We use clothing to create social categories; it holds the power to determine someone’s gender, hint at a person’s sexualtiy and identify another’s socioeconomic status. Sure, clothing can be used as an expression of individuality, though there is so much about fashion that is predetermined for us. Jaden has successfully made our jaws DROP in his decision to model for Louis Vuitton because it completely eradicates how we conceptualize masculinity.
Men wear pants and women wear skirts, right? Jaden KILLING his Louis V ad makes us more than a little unsure. He completely redefines how we view men’s (and women’s) clothing. Blurring the lines of fashion’s predetermined genderization may allow us to completely transform how we use clothing - moving it from something that labels you to something that makes you feel free.
Why is this important? Thanks to Jaden, we are able to realize the futility behind gender stereotypes and expectations. He is allowing us to take a look at gender and how we conceptualize it - then, hopefully, change how we think about it.
Perpetuating generational sensitivity
In general, we know that as millennials, we are some of the most culturally sensitive and forward thinking people out there. On the other hand, we know that we can’t always say the same about those in generations before us. As a brand that appeals to all ages, Louis Vuitton’s ad will be seen by everyone - not just those of us that are already culturally aware. Jaden’s photographs will be eye-opening to those that still see gender as black and white. Just by appearing in the ad, Jaden has become one of the biggest advocates for forward thinking.
When Jaden dones opposite gender clothing, on or off-camera, it is important to remember that how he performs his gender isn’t always the way that it is perceived. There is just as much, if not more, power in how his gender is perceived by others. Strict gendered labels only exist because we allow them to. Jaden’s ad would not be unusual or transformative, for any generation, if we did not have the rigid constructions of masculinity and femininity that we have.
Why is this important? By perpetuating cultural sensitivity and forward thinking, Jaden is pushing for a more gender-friendly and gender-playful society for everyone. By exposing society to a more liberal millennial message, Jaden is laying the foundation for us to perform our genders in the way that we feel the most comfortable.
Introducing gender variance
One of the most unique aspects of Jaden’s ad is that he is not, by any means, donning or advertising for unisex/unigender, gender-neutral, gender-playful, gender nonconforming or gender-fluid clothing. From this shoot, Louis Vuitton’s clothing was 100% gendered. Jaden was hired to model the women’s spring-summer collection. He was not introducing a new line of multi-gender clothing; he was simply modelling women’s wear, while being male. Stars like Orange is the New Black’s Ruby Rose and singer Miley Cyrus have popularized appropriating traditionally male or unigender garb on female bodies. Jaden, on the other hand, is one of the first males to substantially appropriate female dress, without it being considered cross-dressing or drag.
Too often, we mistake donning opposite-gender clothing as a marker for a trans* or LGB identity. As a society that doesn’t have a complete grasp on sex, gender-identity and sexuality, we assume that when one falls out of the “norm” for traditional masculinity and femininity, that he/she/they are uncomfortable in his/her/their body or are dressing in opposite-gender clothing to attract a same-gender partner. As a cisgender heterosexual male, Jaden’s LV photos are transforming the way we look at gendered fashion.
Why is this important? Assumptions are never a good thing, and Jaden is teaching us that our clothes are not a sure-fire indicator of sex, gender-identity or sexuality.
Questioning the system
It takes a confident, proud and dynamic leader to truly make a change. Jaden’s ability to recognize fault in our society and expose it, is a cause for thanks. A celeb is constantly in the spotlight; what he/she/they choose to do with that platform varies. By questioning the system, Jaden is showing us that you can be whoever you want, and you can wear whatever you like. Jaden is teaching us that we should match the way that we look on the outside to the way that we feel on the inside - which may (and probably will) vary. Our gender and sexuality are malleable and ever-evolving, as is our fashion.
By agreeing to be the new, male face of Louis V, Jaden is actively choosing how he would like to be perceived by others. He is choosing to give-off an inclusive, edgy and meaningful statement. He wants all of us to know that he will not be put into a box, and he will be his most authentic self. He is using his ad as an opportunity for education, and he’s a total bada** for it!
Why is this important? By questioning the system, we are able to recognize the injustices in our society. It isn’t until we do so that we are able to break the gender rules and embrace our uniqueness. Rather than giving-off traditional signals of masculinity or femininity, we can truly become an individual.
Advocating body positivity
Too many of us feel uncomfortable in our bodies, and often, it is because of what we put onto our bodies. Whether it’s feeling like an outfit isn’t figure-flattering or feeling uncomfortable in clothing marketed for your gender or assigned sex, clothing holds incredible power in influencing how we view ourselves and our bodies. By modelling traditionally women’s clothing, Jaden is reclaiming his gender and advocating a body positive message. There is power in wearing clothing that makes you comfortable, especially clothing that traditionally belongs to the opposite gender.
In a world that values traditional constructs of masculinity and femininity, we automatically assume that baggy pants look good on men and tight-fitting shirts look good on women. Jaden’s ad reinforced that fashion is meant to accentuate your body, though all bodies are different. With that, traditionally masculine pieces may not compliment all male bodies and traditionally female pieces may not compliment all female bodies. The LV clothing, even though it was designed with women in mind, flattered Jaden’s body.
Why is this important? Modelling women’s clothing (and totally pulling it off) teaches us that gender presentation is a spectrum, and everyone falls differently on that spectrum. Jaden can feel good in traditionally female garb, while still identifying as male.
