I don’t think many can deny the distinct femininity hidden (and in some cases, overtly present) in many of the menswear collections for SS09. What with relaxed silhouettes, bright hues of yellow and playful prints like polka-dots, menswear is growing increasingly androgynous for a spate of designers. Leading this movement on the street, however, is the multi-talented, accomplished, and feroche-in-heels Jean Paul Paula.
Unlike a method of blatant cross-dressing JPP fuses the masculine and feminine by maybe pairing a structured blackest-of-black blazer and jeans with killer heels and a stunning waist-cincher. André J (keeping in mind the ridiculosity of goatee and poker-straight hair), this is not and I’m loving it all the more because of it. Is this nu-androgyny to be commended?
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i just think it’s a grace jones fan going through the motions, same haircut, same margiela shades, same use of mens’s tailoring with a feminine angle. Is his name really jean-paul? and not just named after jean paul goude?
Tuesdai: Much thanks for the warm compliment.Richard: That’s a fair point but his other looks seem to demonstrate a versatility within the mixing of masculine and feminine i.e. not just Grace Jones get-ups. And re: the name, I really don’t know but your suggestion might serve as reasoning for the Grace Jones imitation ha!/Male Mode.
JPP is an interesting character. He’s in the same category as Marc Jacobs SUPERfan Bryanboy. I find his “style” or costumes rather, to be a desperate plea/cry for attention. I guess it’s working, so kudos to him.[K]
the secon image is actually from glamcanyon. bitch.
love his personal style!xx-LJ from SOS!
While I certainly respect what this guy is doing style wise, Andre J…he’s an absolute pleasure. If you meet him you’ll be converted. He’s not trying to be edgy or futuristic a la Blade Runner. He’s just being himself.
I just cannot get over how well he wears heels. It’s not at all like he is a man waering womens shoes, he just does it so perfectly. Definitely to be comended.Cat
i saw him at paris fashion week. love him!
Hi.I think that I commented here before. If I have, then please ignore this comment.I am trying to advocate hosiery & shorts as part of the mainstream men's wardrobe. I thought that you all might be interested in seeing some of my photos of me wearing hosiery & shorts, and/or writing a blog entry about it.my MySpace accountmy Flickr account– Sincerely, and with thanks,Eugene T.S. Wonga.k.a. Hosiery Advocate
I don't have anything against JPP or his style, but the part "JPP fuses the masculine and feminine by maybe pairing a structured blackest-of-black blazer and jeans with killer heels and a stunning waist-cincher" irritates me. Why androgyny and not cross-dressing, when every piece of clothing on JPP is womens? In the last picture he looks like Rihanna. And what about the pose? He does not look masculine at all…
Anon: In a sense, you could call this cross-dressing, but since JPP combines masculine lines (strong shoulders) with the more feminine flourishes (the unadulterated glam – shoes, waist-cinchers etc) I think it's more than a simple case of transvestism./Male-Mode.com