Girls who are boys

They can switch up their look and transform from a man into a woman in the blink of an eye. They model men’s and women’s clothes and on stage you hardly know that the super sexy woman model is, well, actually a male. Andrej Pejic, Lea T. and Tilda Swinton are just few of the androgynous models. The boundaries between men and women were never so blurry.

In the 21st century it seems like boundaries no longer exist. Internet and smart phones bridge gaps of place and time, unisex clothes blur the differences between male and female. When it comes to fashion, designers and photographers are a crucial part of this tendency. Not only do they create fashion items that can fit both men and women, they are also using androgynous models that dare fashion visions and axiom as we know them.

Biologically speaking, androgynous is a human being who has both a male and female reproductive system. Androgynous models manage to ignite the imagination of many fashion designers and photographers.

Andrej Pejic is one of the most successful androgynous models out there. He was born in Serbia and always had a very unique and gentle look. Though his first steps in the fashion industry weren’t so easy, nowadays you can see him on the runways and on a plethora of fashion magazine covers.

Whereas other androgynous models specialize in modeling women’s or men’s wear, Pejic is most famous for his ability to model both genders. In January of 2011, Pejic walked for Jean Paul Gaultier during Paris Fashion Week dressed as a woman, and in Marc Jacobs’ show he modeled menswear. He also participated in Burberry Prosum fashion show and looked gorgeous on the runway surrounded by beautiful female models. Lately Pejic has been leading a campaign for a mega push-up bra for the Dutch company, Hema.

However, Andrej Pejic is not the only androgynous model you can see on ads. Brazilian Lea T. is another famous androgynous model, who Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci called “a true Goddess.” In 2010 she became the face of Givenchy and in January of 2011 she walked for Alexandre Herchcovitch during Sao Paolo fashion week. Her modeling career included several appearances on fashion magazines covers. Most controversial was the cover for Love Magazine where she was featured kissing Kate Moss.

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Tilda Swinton is a talented actress and a beautiful model who easily transforms herself from female to male. She is the face of Pringle of Scotland Fashion House and inspired a full Viktor & Rolf collection in 2003. Her ability to blur the boundaries between traditional genders was evident both on the runways and on the big screen where she played the role of Mozart in the movie “Orlando”.Late top designer Alexander McQueen also noticed the exotic androgynous trend. In his last menswear collection, McQueen included David Chiang, another famous androgynous model. Chiang is the first Asian male model ever to walk for Italian label Emporio Armani. His soft skin and smooth hair along with delicate facial features caught the eyes of fashion photographers such as Steven Klein and paved Chiang’s way to many well-known fashion magazines.

Androgynous models show more than anything that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The fashion world has more than enough room to express every phenomena and style. The question is -- can you enjoy the show no matter who walks on the runway? If the answer is yes, we can be sure -- fashion has won.

48-year-old former Sports Illustrated supermodel Kathy Ireland is apparently among the richest models in the world. Ireland is worth an estimated $350 million according to Forbes, in addition to a $2 billion from her stock company, which is quite more than the empires of Gisele Bundchen ($151 million), Tyra Banks ($90 million) and Heidi Klum ($70 million). (CBS News)

Teen actress AnnaSophia Robb is to star in a new Sex and the City prequel named The Carrie Diaries. The 18-year-old was mostly famous for playing opposite Johnny Depp in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005. Reportedly, Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively was rumoured to play the role, but eventually AnnaSophia was preferred due to her younger age. (Telegraph)

Formerly known plus-size model Crystal Renn is featured on the vivid cover of the March W Korea issue, showcasing a more offbeat style of neon bob, magenta lips and aqua eyes. (The Huffington Post)

Everybody wants to be a fashion icon! Kate Middleton has agreed to judge a shoe design contest and will also wear the winning look. Six finalists from De Montfort University in Leicester England will receive the opportunity to design a shoe for the Dutchess. (The Daily Mail)

More in the shoe department, record producer Kanye West designed the shoes with Dion Lee in the Aussie’s debut London Fall/ Winter 2012 presentation over the weekend. West has become more and more involved in the fashion industry over the past year and it’s most likely that we’ve not heard the last from Kanye. (Fashionista)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for this week, The Wall Street Journal compiled an interesting video of the best and worst from the 2012 Oscar Awards, featuring Angelina Jolie, Kristen Wiig, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow and more.

Enjoy!

California Gurl, Katy Perry, is making headlines around the globe due to her chic and glamorous appearances at Paris Fashion Week. At the Yves Saint Laurent show, Perry pulled off a sophisticated “mean green” and fashionable frock, which turned heads all over. (The Daily Mail)

Superstar designer Alexander Wang was charged with a $50M lawsuit for running a Chinatown sweatshop and allegedly forcing his employees to work over 16 hours a day in a windowless 200 sq ft room. Who would have thought that running a top-of-the line fashion house could be such dirty work? (New York Post)

Princess of Monaco, Charlotte Casiraghi has been chosen as the new face of Gucci. The 25-year-old granddaughter of the legendary Grace Kelly, will be featured in a four part series of ads, as part of Gucci’s Forever Now Campaign. (CBS News)

After seeing many of the shows for the Fall 2012 collections, Fashionista.com has compiled a list of eleven of this seasons’ most over-the-top and theatrical runway shows. Featured on the list are Lanvin’s 10th Anniversary show in Paris and McQ’s dreamy forest. (Fashionista)

Black Swan star, Mila Kunis is scheduled to appear on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar’s April 2012 issue. As per tradition of Bazaar cover girls, Mila will be answering many questions; this time, they will be about her looks and her views on plastic surgery. The renowned Terry Richardson will photograph Mila, clad in looks by Dior, Versace, Prada, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen. (Huffington Post)

Closing out list of fashion highlights for this week, Alicia Keys was spotted looking extra glamorous in a lady-like black and white look with Diddy and Kanye West in tow at the Givenchy show in Paris Fashion Week. Take a look at a video from the show:

Enjoy!

NBC’s new reality show, “Fashion Star,” is attempting to do for fashion-based reality shows what “The Voice” has achieved for the singing shows. Mentors Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson, and John Varvatos will try to lead the fashion-reality genre to new heights, after the downfall of shows like “Project Runway.” (Washington Post)

Africa Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria, is set to become a major player in the fashion industry. Africa Fashion Week began in Cape Town,South Africa back in 2009. However, this season’s event at Lagos was such an outstanding success that the organizers hope to continue the event in Nigeria for many years to come. (Guardian)

L’Oreal’s Fashion Show in Australia made many headlines due to an extraordinary appearance by Dita Von Tesse, featuring retro-inspired lingerie. Von Tesse led the show of models all boasting curvy lines and voluptuous frames. (Fashionising)

Maroon 5 singer Adam ‘Moves like Jagger’ Levine is set to launch a new fragrance: ‘222’. The co-host of “The Voice” already holds his own clothing line, also branded ‘222’. (New York Daily News)

Nicki Minaj covers Allure Magazine’s April issue, emulating Barbie with her own signature style. The Barbie-doll-look has always been a forerunner for girls across the globe, but after the impressive Barbie Dream Closet show at NY Fashion Week earlier this season, we’re sure the Barbie trend is here to stay. (Styleblazer)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for this week, the Lacoste L!ve campaign videos have gone viral on the web. Spring 2012 is just around the corner, and with Lacoste’s New York street wear, rainbow colors and great attitude, it couldn’t be better timing. Take a look!

Enjoy!

Johnny Depp has finally been bestowed the award we’ve all been waiting for. The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) granted the prolific star a Fashion Icon Award. This is the first time that a man has ever received this award. (New York Magazine)

Fashion extraordinaire Karl Lagerfeld is well renowned for shocking declarations throughout his career. Fashionista.com has compiled a tribute to the designer’s best quotes of all time; including "Normal people think I’m insane". (Fashionista)

Do you think Glenn Close is a fashion icon? Stylelist.com has put together a 73-photo gallery looking back on the Golden Globe winner’s fashion evolution dating back to 1996. The Damages star has also celebrated her 65th birthday this week, proving that beauty and style definitely comes with age. (Stylelist)

Following in the footsteps of other singing superstars such as Kanye West, Rihanna has stated that she will be launching a fashion line of her own. To those of you who have been keeping up with Rihanna these past few months, this may not come as a shock, after frequently spotting Rihanna at several major shows this season and hearing the buzz surrounding her upcoming fashion related TV show. (Billboard)

Meghan McCain, daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain poses for Playboy. The 27-year-old left nothing under-covers in her revealing interview for Playboy’s April issue. She discusses everything from her love life, to her sexual preferences, and ultimately to her affection of politics. (New York Daily News)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for the week, ABC News explains how swimsuit model Simone Farrow, once named the “sexiest woman in the world,” allegedly ran an international drug ring from her Hollywood apartment.

Time magazine assembled their annual “All-Time 100 Fashion Icons” list, categorizing the list by designers, models, muses, photographers, editors, and stylists. On the list you can find icons such as David Bowie, Gisele Bundchen, Jean Harlow, Lady Gaga and more…(Time)

First Lady, Michelle Obama recently presented Taylor Swift with a special “Big Help Award” at Nickelodeon’s 25th annual Kid’s Choice Awards. Taylor Swift received the award for her philanthropic efforts, including her work with U.S tornado and flood survivors. (New York Magazine)

The daughter of America’s most famous mogul Donald Trump,Ivanka Trump, has recently launched her first ready-to-wear collection with quite a successful fashion show, rapidly building herself up as a designer to go along with her merchandise empire. (Huffington Post)

“Homeland” starClaire Danes appears on the cover of ASOS magazine’s May issue. The actress reveals that she doesn’t diet and loves to wear simple sweatpants, “if they don’t feel like a pair of sweatpants, I don’t have patience for them anymore! (Glamour)

Twenty-year-old Andrej Pejic has become one of the most famous transgender models in the fashion world, as well as one of the most controversial. Jean-Paul Gaultier has named the model the “modern woman boy of today.” Pejic has appeared both in Gaultier's male and female shows and is currently starring in a Kokorico men’s fragrance campaign. (Fashionista)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for the week, Jay-Z presents the very first commercial for his brand “Rocawear”, titled “From Marcy to Barclays.” The commercial is a retrospective of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s journey as a kid growing up in Brooklyn. Take a look: