People grow up learning very quickly what is appropriate for our gender identities. What to wear, how to act, how to respond to life, how we are expected to look, and to behave; how to be “ladylike” and “manly” respectively. This editorial fashion series aims to shed light on contemporary gender role expectations, and challenge what is means to be both masculine and feminine.
The imagery in this photographic series, exists to defy the traditional gender roles we are taught to abide by (rules of being masculine and feminine). Female models demonstrate strong, powerful, fierce femininity, while the male models empower a softer, sensitive, and vulnerable quality (traditionally feminine characteristics). The female and male fashion models in these editorials, explore nontraditional gender role expressions by way of expressed emotion, posing, props, and body language. The conceptual narrative of this project reflects my lifelong interest in people, feminism, fashion and art, as well as an ongoing photographic study in gender role presentation, social behaviors, attitudes and deviance.


All of the following editorials have been produced, photographed and edited by myself, through much trial and error, as well as great success over the last 2 years. I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished, but would like to dedicate this magazine with a HUGE thank you (and congratulations) to my various creative teams. Without the tireless efforts and immense talents of all the models, hair and make up artists, wardrobe stylists, and assistants, none of this would not have been possible. THANK YOU. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store —


Mariya.