'A lot of people think male models are gay, but not at all! A lot of male models are really big lads,if you know what I mean: they want to go out and get laid and whatever. This is where people misinterpret it. On the other hand a lot of the bookers ,stylists and photographers are the Gay ones,not the models.'
The domination of gay men, and the control they have within modelling and fashion circles raises interesting questions in terms of the ways in which these (largely straight) male models negotiate their masculinity in an environment where they are frequently the objects of a gay gaze.
I therefore argue that male modelling is work with a 'queer' dimension and the work identity of the male model is, potentially at least, a 'queer' one. Modelling 'queer' masculinity because of the way it confounds the conventions and expectations of dominant heterosexual masculinity. On the other hand, male models are frequently called upon to perform heterosexual masculinity through poses, gestures, and dress in the production of images that are often hypermasculine.
On the other hand, beyond the image, references to male models as 'proofs' and 'poncers' demonstrates the assumptions people outside the fashion industry have of these men. A male model's 'masculinity', defined as it is in terms of sexuality framed within the 'regulatory framework' of heterosexuality, is comprised or undermined by his work identity, which is associated with homosexuality and effeminacy, and this may partly explain why so many models told me of their reluctance to tell people they model for a living. Given this, how do models handle this contradiction between gender identity and work identity? How do they manage the potential 'threat' posed to their heterosexual masculinity by their work?
I want to examine these questions by exploring the accounts given by models of their interactions at work, focusing on the ways in which they describe their performances in routine situations. I also want to consider the performance of gender witnessed in my observations of models at work and in the interview. Two narratives commonly recurred in the interview and detail two performances drawn on by models to handle their encounters with gay men at work: such as photographers ar clients. Both narratives illustrate how male models are sexualised in the process of their work as models and how they respond to this accordingly.
FLIRTING.
These instances are at times contained by the model's insisting on boundaries he's willing to work within or threatening to call his agency and complain of gross misconduct, though this may also work against him in future....
The domination of gay men, and the control they have within modelling and fashion circles raises interesting questions in terms of the ways in which these (largely straight) male models negotiate their masculinity in an environment where they are frequently the objects of a gay gaze.
I therefore argue that male modelling is work with a 'queer' dimension and the work identity of the male model is, potentially at least, a 'queer' one. Modelling 'queer' masculinity because of the way it confounds the conventions and expectations of dominant heterosexual masculinity. On the other hand, male models are frequently called upon to perform heterosexual masculinity through poses, gestures, and dress in the production of images that are often hypermasculine.
On the other hand, beyond the image, references to male models as 'proofs' and 'poncers' demonstrates the assumptions people outside the fashion industry have of these men. A male model's 'masculinity', defined as it is in terms of sexuality framed within the 'regulatory framework' of heterosexuality, is comprised or undermined by his work identity, which is associated with homosexuality and effeminacy, and this may partly explain why so many models told me of their reluctance to tell people they model for a living. Given this, how do models handle this contradiction between gender identity and work identity? How do they manage the potential 'threat' posed to their heterosexual masculinity by their work?
I want to examine these questions by exploring the accounts given by models of their interactions at work, focusing on the ways in which they describe their performances in routine situations. I also want to consider the performance of gender witnessed in my observations of models at work and in the interview. Two narratives commonly recurred in the interview and detail two performances drawn on by models to handle their encounters with gay men at work: such as photographers ar clients. Both narratives illustrate how male models are sexualised in the process of their work as models and how they respond to this accordingly.
FLIRTING.
This concernes how the models interact with those they work with, especially the clients they meet at castings. 'Flirting' bacause the models attempt to win over the clients so as to increase the chances of landing a job. They have to charm their clients, whether male or female. If female, he'll give her a firm handshake and throw a confident gaze. If the client is male, he assumes he's gay and adopts the steriotypical image of the gay man camping up his performance, with limp wrists, fey manner and effeminate voice.
The same applies to photographers, as they can play an important role in promoting a model; the aim here, according to a model, is to keep them guessing as to their sexuality. This appears to be a positive adaptation to their work; by those not afraid of the gay gaze!
SEXUAL DANGER.
Models encounter several instances where they find themselves in sexual situations threatening or problematic. Mostly it occurs during shoots wher they may encounter unwanted erotic attention. Almost all models have been on the receiving end of this mal.
Given the highly sexualised nature of the relationship between model and photographer, as well as the potential sexual encounter between the stylist and model it's not suprising that this situations occur. Though it might be misunderstanding if the models flirt or in other ways use their sexuality while on the job. Many complain of how they had been felt up by their stylist during dressing, asked to strip naked or dress provocative dressing.SEXUAL DANGER.
Models encounter several instances where they find themselves in sexual situations threatening or problematic. Mostly it occurs during shoots wher they may encounter unwanted erotic attention. Almost all models have been on the receiving end of this mal.
These instances are at times contained by the model's insisting on boundaries he's willing to work within or threatening to call his agency and complain of gross misconduct, though this may also work against him in future....
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