Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik, and the Fashion Debate on Gender Fluidity
Examining the impact and controversy of Vogue’s August cover featuring Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik—and its challenge to gender norms in fashion.
Vogue’s August Cover: Challenging Gender Norms in Fashion
The August 2017 edition of Vogue US sparked a passionate debate about gender, identity, and fashion’s role in shaping social conversations. The cover, featuring supermodel Gigi Hadid and pop star Zayn Malik, presented the couple in a series of striking looks that blurred traditional boundaries, aiming to highlight the influence of gender-fluid and non-binary communities on mainstream style. Yet, this editorial soon became the epicenter of a larger discussion about what gender fluidity means—and who gets to define it.
The Editorial: Clothes, Chemistry, and Conversation
Lensed by the notable photographers Inez & Vinoodh and styled by Tonne Goodman, the shoot embodied contemporary style trends. Hadid and Malik posed in attire that exchanged conventional gender signals: floral jackets on Malik, masculine blazers on Hadid, and shared track shows suggesting a wardrobe without borders. The images were paired with an interview that delved into their relationship and attitudes toward clothing.
- Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik openly discussed borrowing each other’s clothes.
- The couple expressed a sense of liberation from gendered fashion rules; Hadid quipped, “It’s not about gender. It’s about, like, shapes. And what feels good on you that day. It’s fun to experiment.”
- Malik added, “If it’s tight on me, so what? It doesn’t matter if it was made for a girl.”
- This mutual exchange of style was presented as emblematic of a broader generational shift.
Yet, with these statements, Vogue appeared eager to position the couple as the face of a new gender-fluid movement, leading to unforeseen backlash.
Defining Gender Fluidity in Fashion: Representation and Critique
Gender fluidity refers to the capacity to move between, blend, or defy fixed male/female categories, both in terms of identity and gender expression. While the feature was meant to celebrate progress, many critics felt it conflated simply wearing the opposite gender’s clothing with identifying as gender-fluid—a much more complex personal and social reality.
- Neither Hadid nor Malik identify as gender-fluid or non-binary.
- Fashion experts, activists, and commentators noted that borrowing clothes from a partner doesn’t equate to being gender-fluid.
- The article’s framing risked “missing the mark” by oversimplifying and perhaps appropriating the lived experience of non-binary individuals.
For some, the magazine’s approach seemed to reduce a nuanced, marginalized identity to an aesthetic choice or a passing trend.
The Backlash: How Social Media and the Public Responded
Within hours of publication, social media erupted with criticism. The gist of the objections:
- Equating clothes-sharing with gender fluidity dismissed the spectrum of gender identities really at play.
- Many felt that Vogue failed to properly represent the non-binary and gender-fluid community.
- High-profile figures, such as actor Ruby Rose (who identifies as gender-fluid), defended Hadid and Malik, noting they never claimed these labels.
Under pressure, Vogue issued an apology acknowledging the error. The magazine clarified that the story was intended to “highlight the impact the gender-fluid, non-binary communities have had on fashion and culture”—not to label its cover subjects.
A Generational Shift: Millennials and Fashion’s Attitude Toward Gender
What others are reading
The cover story underscores a vital cultural development: millennials do indeed approach both fashion and gender identity differently than past generations.
- Descriptives like “boy” or “girl” often take a back seat; style is increasingly about attitude and individual choice.
- Celebrities and influencers model androgynous fashion, challenging what is “masculine” or “feminine” attire.
- Icons like Prince, David Bowie, and contemporary artists have made scrambling male/female attire a mode of liberation.
Hadid’s brother Anwar chimed in that “people our age, we’re just chill!,” further suggesting that this new comfort with ambiguous dressing signals a genuine shift.
Fashion’s Ongoing Relationship with Gender: The Power, the Pitfalls
This wasn’t the first time Vogue found itself at the center of a cultural controversy. The magazine’s history includes instances of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation, such as:
- Photos of Karlie Kloss dressed as a geisha, later removed after backlash.
- Vogue India featuring Kendall Jenner on its cover, prompting debates about local representation.
These incidents highlight fashion’s power but also its pitfalls in navigating topics of identity and belonging. Editorial choices can amplify marginalized communities, but when misapplied, may unintentionally silence or misrepresent them.
What Makes an Authentic Gender-Fluid Representation?
True gender-fluid representation involves more than just style—it encompasses identity, personal experience, and inclusive storytelling. Many activists and writers suggest the following principles:
- Honor lived experience of non-binary and gender-fluid people in media narratives.
- Offer authentic voices and perspectives, not merely visual signals.
- Resist reducing substantial topics to aesthetics or celebrity experimentation.
| Fashion Statement | Representation | Controversy Level |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity clothing swaps | Suggests openness but not identity shift | Moderate |
| Non-binary models on covers | Authentic gender-fluid visibility | Low |
| Traditional gendered attire in untraditional contexts | Challenges norms, but risks confusion | High |
Gender Fluidity’s Influence on the Fashion Industry
Despite missteps, the growing visibility of gender-fluid style is transforming the industry:
- Major brands now offer unisex or gender-neutral collections.
- Designers routinely cast non-binary and gender-fluid models.
- Runways showcase androgynous silhouettes, merging masculine and feminine codes.
- Retailers increasingly reject binary “men’s” and “women’s” sections, opting for inclusive spaces.
While pop icons experimenting with style push mainstream acceptance, ongoing advocacy ensures representation deepens in sincerity and scope.
Lessons Learned: Ethics, Evolution, and Editorial Responsibility
Vogue’s experience signals important lessons for both media and fashion:
- Pushing boundaries can spark important dialogue—but requires sensitivity and accuracy.
- The difference between gender-fluid fashion and gender-fluid identity matters: one is a style choice, the other is personally defining.
- Public feedback guides more authentic and informed representations.
- Editorial teams bear responsibility for the social impact of their narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does borrowing clothes from the opposite gender make someone gender-fluid?
A: No. While experimenting with style can challenge norms, gender-fluidity refers to a deeper identity and experience not simply linked to fashion or clothing exchanges.
Q: Why did Vogue apologize for its August cover story?
A: After public backlash, Vogue clarified it had misrepresented what it means to be gender-fluid, mistakenly suggesting Hadid and Malik personally embody this identity, when they do not.
Q: How is gender fluidity changing fashion?
A: Gender-fluid fashion pushes brands toward more inclusive designs, mainstreams androgynous silhouettes, and empowers consumers to dress beyond binary categories.
Q: Who truly represents gender-fluidity inside fashion?
A: Non-binary and gender-fluid models, designers, and creators who incorporate their lived experiences—rather than styling trends alone—offer the most authentic representation.
Q: Has fashion media faced criticism for misrepresentation before?
A: Yes. Vogue and similar outlets have previously received criticism for insensitive shoots, cultural appropriation, and mislabeling identities, emphasizing the need for ethical editorial standards.
Conclusion: Where Does Fashion Go from Here?
The conversation ignited by Vogue’s controversial cover serves as a milestone in the ongoing debate about gender and style identity. As social norms continue evolving, fashion will remain on the frontline—an arena where boundaries are challenged, sometimes clumsily, but progress is inevitable.
For the industry, authenticity, representation, and continued dialogue are essential. From runways to retail, the hope is for a landscape that truly celebrates all expressions of self—not just as a trend, but as an inclusive future.
References
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vogue-apologizes-for-cover-story-labeling-gigi-hadid-and-zayn-malik-gender-fluid/
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/vogue-put-gigi-in-zayns-blazer-and-now-toxic-gender-norms-are-fixed/
- https://anneofcarversville.com/fashion/2020/5/1/archives-gigi-hadid-zayn-malik-gender-bend-in-inez-vinoodh-for-vogue-us-august-2017
- https://fashionista.com/2017/07/gigi-hadid-zayn-malik-vogue-gender-fluidity
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