iNDU

The Diversity issue.

WordsPhotographyStyling

&Illustrations

ByHeledd-Shon Pryce.

Unfettered,

AdornedExpounding upon diversity, we explore equality and ones belief to enlighten inner-spirituality.

Unfettered, unbound,

Adornedbut

Expounding upon diversity, we explore equality and ones belief to enlighten inner-spirituality.

to them as religious leaders or teachers.Jack feels that he connects with himself through a spiritual aspect explaining that there is no divide of masculine and feminine in his mind, just an organic structure that can adorn his exterior to how he is feeling. It goes to show how gender is irrelevant and what counts is our consciousness, awareness and our ability to support each other as human beings and for each individual to express themselves however they want to, being it spiritually, creatively or even academically.

‘I feel that this is what my spirit looks like on the inside so I express it on the outside. The body is there to be decorated, and this is one aspect of how I express myself in life. I aim to live freely and not be bound by social conventions. Everybody

Holding his head high, elongating his legs, arms back, Jack Corbett, 20, is posing in a busy spot by Central St Martins grounds. Blissfully unaware of viewers, he applies more lipstick and then gives me a smile - but underneath his colourful and confident exterior lies a complex and in-depth persona.

Androgyny is considered a relatively new market in the fashion industry, but how familiar is it culturally? Many ancient cultures document androgynous beings all throughout history, In particular the native Americans who refer to Androgyne individuals as ‘Two-spirited’ people. They believed these individuals possessed more power than the average man or woman, emphasising their personality and spirit, considering them to be more sacred than their physical structure, looking up

is unique however some people like myself communicate it more visually.’

Jack is currently studying a BA (honours) in Fashion Design at London College of Fashion - A place much different to where he spent his youth. Even though London seems generally more accepting because of its multiplicity, his life in Shropshire wasn’t as contrasted as you would imagine.

‘Some people would say that growing up in a little village where everybody knows each other would be difficult, but quite the opposite, everyone knew me and just got on with it. I think what made people comfortable was that I was always polite, kind and never caused a problem. People were genuinely more interested than judgemental. My younger life is incredibly different to my life now. I miss home for the simplicity, London is rather complex at times but I am deeply connected to it as a place’.

Jack is known for his particular fashion sense, which was not a conscious decision overnight, it was a series of catastrophic fashion faux pas which he believes ‘the only thing you learn from success is how to repeat yourself harmoniously.’

He believes in the ‘art of getting dressed’, by conveying an emotion through style and movement, explaining that his

style has evolved from his opinions and experiences.

‘As individuals we all have different aspects of our lives that we have to fulfil, and I believe that these are often roles that we need to play. If I were spending my day at work in my retail position I would approach it differently to a day at university. It’s all about being appropriate and tailoring yourself to different situations in life.’

Perhaps we should all adopt these attributes and beliefs, I think it is a beautiful way to look at life, despite if you dress for your gender or not, It could create a sense of empowerment within each individual and help shape your persona based on building the relationship with yourself, rather than adhering to gender stereotypes, and what is accepted in society. As Jack preaches ‘recognise your inner self on the outside otherwise nothing will make sense’.