Photographer Arvida Byström turns gender roles on their heads by capturing boys doing girl things in her new photo series for VICE magazine.
Each photograph in the series shows a hunky man performing an activity traditionally done by a woman. One man is shown applying foundation, another is painting his toenails and a third texts on a pink-cased iPhone. The photographs each exude a tongue-and-cheek analysis of gender construction, exploring whether "girl" activities are attractive only to females, or whether men don't like them simply because they've been told not to.
While exploring an important issue in modern society, Arvida Byström manages to keep these photos lighthearted and cute. The men are dressed in feminine clothing, including a crop top and a white fluffy bathrobe, making female viewers giggle at the thought of men really wearing these outfits in day-to-day life.
This photo series is one of a number of recent gender-bending experiments that work towards encouraging gender fluidity in society. By rejecting gender constructs, Arvida Byström's photography is a clever addition to this new movement.
Gender Role-Switching Photography
Arvida Byström Captures Boys Doing Girl Things for VICE
Trend Themes
1. Gender Role-switching - Exploration of gender fluidity may encourage companies to create more unisex products and services.
2. Gender Construct Rejection - Brands may benefit from creating marketing content that embraces gender fluidity and inclusivity.
3. Gender-bending Art - The art industry may benefit from more gender-bending artists as they disrupt traditional gender norms and support inclusion and diversity.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Fashion companies may take inspiration from the gender-bending photography to create more gender-neutral clothing and accessories.
2. Beauty - Beauty brands could expand their target market by promoting makeup and skincare products as gender neutral rather than targeting them solely to one gender.
3. Media - Media companies may benefit from creating content that challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes, thus appealing to a wider and more diverse audience.