‘Unveiled’: Exploring Gender Fluidity
The ‘UNVEILED’ project was a film and photography concept created by activist and choreographer, Amit Patel and creative director, Sonam Naidu. What initially started as a conversation about color theory, specifically the trajectory of the colors pink and blue, turned into a deep dive into exploring cultural concepts through the intersection of dance and fashion. Our quest was to normalize and initiate dialogue on how we can express our cultural and gender identities through various style personalities and themes. We drew inspiration from our own histories and experiences, and gave life to a world beyond the binary.
Welcome to a space where we explore the fluidity of gender and cultural identity from the lens of fashion, movement, and expression.
Creative Direction & Concept: @_amitdances & @sonamnaidu
Photographer: @ryan_jerome
Fashion Styling: @sonamnaidu
Makeup Artist: @itsnehalicious
Dancer: @_amitdances
Team Assistants: @shivaanisharma @amitabatra
Ode to Indian Mythology
India’s deep-rooted history of gender fluidity lies in its mythology and origin stories. Drawing inspiration from gods like Krishna & Shiva, we highlighted attributes (long hair, statement jewelry, and expression beyond the confines of gender) embodying the duality of the male and female identity.
Cultural evolution | Gender Fluidity
“Cultural Evolution”: Henna is a commonly adopted practice all over the world, creating a global culture around this art form. By re-imagining these ancient ceremonies, we allow these traditions to live on and be shared in a contemporary way. Through the world of social media, cultural exchange is rapid, inspiring individuals globally to re-invent this art form. With this look we envision the modern Mehndi (henna) night of an Indian wedding.
“Gender Fluidity”: Inspired by Ardhanarishvara- the union of male and female. The earliest mention of this form is in 100 CE, of the gods Shiva & Parvati. With this look we take conventional masculine and feminine silhouettes and embrace their harmony to create a regal look for a reception. Gender neutral clothing has strong roots from our past. In recent times, androgynous fashion and drag culture have greatly influenced this generation’s ability to embrace their degrees of duality.
The Spectrum
Through “The Spectrum: lens we steer away from the archaic constructs of masculinity and femininity and their association to gender. By revisiting the notion of how color bias affects our trajectory, we can unlearn and reframe how to utilize silhouettes, accessories, and embrace colors as a form of self-expression. The future is fluid, and the future is now.
Modern Indian Wedding | Marigold Dreams
“The Modern Indian Wedding”: The male bride and female groom, a concept that we created to show a traditional wedding that is inclusive in the context of an evolving world. With this look we hope to push the narrative of how we can change the trajectory of what Indian weddings can look like. By removing the rigid parameters and gender roles during weddings, we take a step further towards a more inclusive experience for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
“Marigold Dreams”: In this reality we welcome you to a new age, in which we can freely express our individuality. By integrating the vibrancy of marigold flowers in India’s culture, history, and customs, we pay homage to our roots and traditions. The radiance and beauty of these flowers are reminiscent of the simple but significant haldi ceremony in Indian weddings.
Rebel with a cause
With the intent to challenge the status quo and create a new normal, we use our art, our voices and our fashion choices. We take PRIDE in wearing heels, wigs, makeup, and eccentric outfits to feel a version of ourselves that we are conditioned to censor and repress. This look is a tribute to the rebels who championed the lgbtq+ rights movement across the globe. To the unsung heroes who taught us how to embrace the rebel within us so we have the courage to face our demons and live our truth. A vision for a world in which we are not only tolerated, but embraced & accepted.
Be bold, Be loud, Be heard, Be you.
As part of working with this amazing team on the Unveiled set, I had the pleasure of contributing towards the fashion and beauty side of this project. Thinking outside the box, I got to take my painting skills and use Amit as a physical canvas by creating all 7 makeup looks for these concepts.
Additionally, in line with my brand AGNI’s motto “fire to be fearless” I worked on designing this hand-painted denim jacket to match the energy of the rebel within.
Taking inspiration from Amit’s background in Indian dance, I took classic Bollywood motifs and morphed it into the image of a burning flame on a distressed denim jacket. I also used a dark color palette to mirror the bold energy of Amit’s persona. Mixed with mirror accents and shiny brocade, I created a statement piece that tells the wearer to be loud and to most importantly BE YOURSELF.
