Black Chiffon Maxi Skirt
It goes without saying that when you first hear about the Traveling Dress Collective, it intrinsically sounds feminine based on traditional standards. And looking back on the many submissions we have received through the years; I would say that most people have interpreted it the same way.
These projects are meant to be fun while challenging each participant with a time constraint and item that they may not normally use in their creative endeavors. The end result hopefully inspiring one another and the audience at large as we get a peek inside each individual mind.
With this round, I wanted to add another element to challenge everyone’s creativity. I felt the dichotomy of using a conventionally feminine clothing item with a male subject could mean different things to many people and the story line possibilities were endless. Whether it was a powerful, personal statement or simply being used as a creative prop, nothing was off the table and one was not more right than the other.
We have the special ability and power in our creative life to challenge people’s perception of many things. To stir conversation, push boundaries, ask questions, perhaps even normalize what in a previous time would be considered abnormal.
The images I am proud to present to you are thanks to the following artists: Amy Woodward, Curtis Jones, John David, Lyndsay Doyle, and myself.
A tremendous thank you to another important behind the scenes member of our traveling dress group. Evertje MacCallum is located in Nova Scotia and has been conceptualizing and creating garments for over fifty years. My goal was for a skirt that had movement, was easily transported, durable and could be worn by various body types and sizes. She created not one, but two skirts made of black, lightweight chiffon because halfway through our journey across North America, the initial skirt disappeared and version 2.0 was made. Fun fact - she is also my mum and I love her to bits.
Thank you all for your collaboration, inspiration, patience, and hard work. It has been an honour and I hope you enjoy the end results as much as I have.
With love,
Erin
"Mum, are you a feminist?"
My fourteen-year-old son asked me this important question as we drove.
"Yes."
A simple answer to a complicated question.
Children never ask for more than what they're ready for. And when they ask the important questions, it's critical to meet them where they're at with honesty.
We spoke about toxic masculinity. The way things used to be, and the way things are now. I told him about the decades of sexist messages I grew up with and how women have been objectified as objects of sexual gratification. We unpacked what it means to be masculine and how, sometimes, men are shamed for displaying behaviors that are, in some eyes, what have been deemed as feminine traits.
We parked and talked all the way through the grocery store until we sat to share a slice of pizza.
I watched my boy eating his dinner. His silky hair falling in his eye that he pushes over with thin fingers. His full lips. His eyes, so blue and earnest, smiling at me above his iced coffee. My heart ached for both my history and his future. It ached for the confusing messages that are received through mass media and movie screens. Change isn’t easy, but his generation is going to keep pushing against the walls that were built in decades past.
Which brings me to this project, these photographs. I’m so happy Erin asked me to participate. The four subjects you see in these photographs are men. And they are wearing a skirt. And they are beautiful.
I’ve photographed men in skirts before. Some people think that it’s funny to see a man this way; that’s not okay.
Men are just as entitled to loving themselves as women are. It's not a contest. Women don't win the 'beauty' lottery just as men don't win the 'tough' lottery. The labels that we crudely staple onto genders are unfair, at best. And when we box-in our assumptions of what each gender is entitled to, we do ourselves a disservice.
I'm hopeful because I'm raising children that understand that being masculine doesn't mean "Boys Don't Cry" or "Man Up". That being a female doesn't mean "Be Pretty" or "Just Be Nice". That a woman’s right to wear a tux doesn't take away from the men, and a man’s right to wear a skirt doesn't take away from the women. We are all speaking our truths. That's got to be okay.
In a world full of labels and primitive standards and false posturing, I'll encourage empowerment, authenticity, kindness, and ownership for all genders.
To be honest I didn’t have a vision when the skirt first arrived – Not past, “put it on, take it outside and prance!” Once we were out there however I began to see the inherently artistic and beautiful flow that could be incorporated into my goofiness simply by adding the skirt. There was never any intent to challenge societal norms or appear ironic by putting the dress on myself. I thought it would be fun and it ended up looking unique – I don’t normally shoot this sort of thing man or woman, and it kept my bottom half relatively warm.
My partner Renée and I headed out to various frosty Edmonton locations with dress in tow. I wanted to capture something light and fun and stay as warm as possible while doing it. I wasn’t averse to rolling topless in the snow but avoidance would have been preferable. As some of these images show I struggled to keep myself upright, often stepping on the skirt and then my own feet before taking a mouthful of fresh snow to the face. I found compositions I liked and proceeded to get into frame to lock focus. Once that was done I took a few deep belly breaths, cursed and shed the jackets and sweaters. I have professional training as an adult remedial gymnast (Don’t be intimidated, it sounds more impressive than it looks). So I wanted to try a mixture of tumbling, cartwheels and unearned grace while bounding through the frame. Renée was on site monitoring the camera, rechecking focus and shooting the BTS between, what I can only imagine was, uncontrolled laughter of non-judgmental support.
Behold the Dress of Erin, threading a brotherhood of being. Interwoven a dark mosaic of culture and questions, searching without security. Brought to light.
In my community, finding a male subject comfortable to pose for a portrait about male beauty, proved an insurmountable task.
I found only one person. Then I procrastinated as I turned inward, considering what constituted male beauty, and then beauty, and then male. In the end, I had no answers, and then no subject. I had only myself, and the dress and my unanswered questions.
At the end of a work day, I locked the door, and stripped away my identity and clothing.
I photographed in black and white. While being male is a spectral identity, it's often portrayed as a binary. Be a man; or don't.
I knelt instead of standing, as male beauty is understated and subservient to feminine beauty.
I closed my eyes, because male beauty is not seen with the eyes, but exists between the dark threads of identity and the individual.
Finally... ...I'm so sorry there's only one image. Being a man.. ..I didn't ask for or listen to directions.
My style of photography has always leaned towards documentary, so when Erin asked me to be involved in this project, I immediately started thinking about how I could use the skirt as a storytelling element - maybe even as a character in a story. I often shoot with a moody feel, and I like to leave my viewers guessing about what the story could be.
My model is my friend of almost 20 years. When I arrived at his house, I knew something was a little off. “Where is all your stuff?” I asked. We spent almost an hour together, most of which was spent talking. I arrived with an idea in my head about how I wanted to shoot him, but after we talked for so long, I did a full 180 and changed my idea on the spot. We shot these images in about five minutes.
This is not an uncommon way for me to work. I’ll often show up at a shoot with no real ideas, and not knowing the setting AT ALL to which I’m arriving. I’m not embarrassed to tell my subjects this either, because it’s just always worked for me (“Hi, I’m Lyndsay! Nice to meet you. By the way, I have no clue what we’re going to do today, but let’s figure it out together, ok?!”) After I get to know them a bit, it all comes together in a final shot or series that I hope is truly representative of their personality and where they’re at in that particular moment. I love developing that connection and trust with my subjects.
I remember clearly the day I asked my husband if he would consider wearing a skirt for my travelling dress project. Without hesitation he said “Sure!”. However after a brief pause he continued, “But I will probably be crucified for it.”
At this point our nine year old daughter interjected, “Why would you be crucified Daddy? It is just a skirt.”
Oh how my heart swelled.
Her response was that of a child raised in a family that aspires to be open and accepting of all.
Her response was one not yet influenced by the archaic masculine/feminine standards set so long ago and perpetuated even today.
And her response is the why I think this particular blog submission means so much to me.
So yes… this is my husband wearing a skirt. Sorry, this is my husband ROCKING a skirt.
Without fear.
No less the person he was previous to doing so.
And he is beautiful.
I am the blessed mama of three daughters and wife to the best man. Together we raise our family on an old farm in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. Life is an adventure fueled by a large dose of humour and coffee. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I desire to create compelling and emotive portraits while connecting with people on and off camera.
