& Other Stories have once again brought a new project onto the fashion scene, challenging its conventions and discussing what fashion really is.

Broadening views on gender and identity in fashion, conceptual retailer & Other Stories have called on five transgender creatives to express their views on the conventions and limitations that the industry poses. The campaign for the Capsule Collection, launched by & Other Stories, brought together a team of highly influential and open-minded individuals: models Valentijn de Hingh and Hari Nef, photographer Amos Mac, stylist Love Bailey, and make-up artist Nina Poon.

& Other Stories are known to be pioneers of diversity. Constantly finding inspiration and endless talent in various ages, ethnicities, and personalities; and this project is yet another example of how the retailer likes to challenge the traditional fashion gaze. “The fashion world is embracing transgender models and we think that’s great. But we couldn’t help to ask ourselves how the traditional fashion gaze can change if we keep the same normative crew behind the camera. So we invited five amazing creatives, all transgender, to make our latest story,” says Creative Director, Sara Hildén Bengtson.

The creatives not only shot an amazing campaign for the new collection, but also the highly influential video The Gaze & Other Stories. Director, Ninja Thyberg, finds exploring sexualities and stereotypes a vital aspect in fashion and has used her expertise to create this short clip to tell a story that will broaden the current views on gender in fashion.

The collection has as many versatile aspects as the individuals involved in it. Multi-layered fabrics parallel with the multi-layered world of fashion, and present a collection that speaks loudly about identity and contemporary perspectives.

Words: Marianna Mukhametzyanova