A realm of fashion, where rules are meant to be broken. A world filled with iconic forces to be reckoned with, Rocky Horror Picture show.
The Rocky Horror Picture show is an iconic cult classic that was introduced in the glam-rock era of the 1970s. The movie is accredited with its riotous celebration of androgyny, decadence, and unapologetic self-expression.
As individuals enter the spooky fashion world of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, they are met with a dazzling mix of high fashion, androgynous allure, and unapologetic sexuality.
Androgyny is defined as an individual who has both masculine and feminine characteristics. It refers to sex-role flexibility and the overall adaptability to express oneself as they please, regardless of gender or sexual status.
Ice Mai Cupcake, actress of Eddie within the local showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Whiteside Theater, defines androgyny as “genders fuckery”.
“It is not conforming to gender norms for one thing,” Cupcake said. “It can be presenting a ‘look’ that can make someone go ‘wait…are they a guy or a girl’ – and in an ideal world, make them pause perhaps, and realize it doesn’t matter.”
The influence of androgynous fashion has increased greatly over the past year as visibility and community acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community has become increasingly prominent across the nation. Google Trends has shown a great increase of up to 1000% in searches for the terms “neutrois, femboy, and transexual”. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has also seen a 90% increase in search history over the past year being accompanied by terms such as “dress-up” and “drag queen”.
Androgynous fashion influences throughout the movie can be seen from each character from Dr. Frank-N-Furter to Eddie, even to the Transylvanians with their funky and gender-defying outfits. This is embodied through men in fishnets, corsets, makeup, high heels, and garter belts, to women in colorful and glam defying suits, highlighting that style and fashion has no boundaries.
The implications of sex, and gender is used to defy boundaries as well.
“I think it can open people up to understanding that sex appeal doesn’t need to be about gender,” Cupcake said. “Whether you’re someone under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella or not, fashion and even what you look at and go ‘Damn. That’s attractive’ doesn’t need to be gendered.”
So how can students and the local community connect to aspects of androgynous fashion in their day-to-day lives, and how can LGBTQIA+ students connect with the movie and its context in a positive light?
“Start small, you don’t have to change your entire look in a day if that’s not where you are at mentally… this is all about feeling good about yourself while pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone,” said Rosey Posey, director and actress of Trixie of the local Rocky Horror Picture Show.
According to a 2022 study analyzing fashion trends and common key words in connection to genderless fashions, business casual suits and comfort are key drivers for genderless fashion within the industry as there is a desire for practical styling.
Strong fashion aspects that have surrounded the term fashion brands included, Maison Martin Margiela, Thom Browne, pushBUTTON and Bottega Veneta with clothing influences including wide pants, denim pants, oversized clothing and slacks. Students can find influence from these brands and popular genderless styles from individuals such as Janelle Monae, or even Dr. Frank-N-Furter himself.
The impact behind Rocky Horror’s androgynous fashion and message is that it continues to be relevant decades later. In a world where gender norms are constantly being challenged and redefined through generations, the fashion of Rocky Horror Picture Show remains a symbol of bold self-expression. It remains as an ode to freedom, embracing the inner self and a celebration of individuality through fun. Embrace the new time warp now in a self-expressive style.
