Not long after Harry Styles wore a dress on the cover of Vogue, the internet simply exploded. Some people were taking jabs at how the iconic look was the end of ‘masculine men’, while others were rejoicing.
Meanwhile, some folks were incredibly proud of this moment, and took the time to educate everyone on how people of colour have been defying gender norms and embracing androgyny for decades, but are yet to be featured on any sort of platform as big as Vogue.
To educate the children on how queer and POC artists have been paving the way for people like Harry Styles, Twitter user @RINYUSHOKUU started a thread for everyone to collaborate on and celebrate Black creatives who identify as male, yet push the idea that certain clothing belongs to a particular gender.
Here are some of the most iconic POC and queer artists that pushed the boundaries before Styles did, and who almost explicitly influence Styles’… uhh… style.
Prince
Quite literally the crown prince of androgynous clothing, Prince defined the power of masculinity throughout his entire career.
Always seen as a ladies man, yet draped in flamboyant colours, ruffles and long fabrics, Prince is quite literally the blueprint for so many artists today, and pushed the idea that straight men can experiment with clothing without explicitly being queer.
little richard pretty much paved the way from prince and bowie alike pic.twitter.com/71f5cxzySW
— the chosen one (@RINYUSHOKUU) November 14, 2020
Keiynan Lonsdale
Aussie actor Keiynan Lonsdale always looks hot no matter what he wears, and we cannot help but stan. Keiynan, if you’re reading this, call me.
may i add Keiynan Lonsdale pic.twitter.com/nUnpg4SNFa
— READ & RT????| rob (@teahrobbie) November 14, 2020
Ashton Sanders
American actor Ashton Sanders, who burst onto the screen in the beautiful film Moonlight, has been stunting in the fashion world for a few years now. It’s about time he became a household name please and thank you.
Not enough of y’all are talking bout my king Ashton Sanders ???? pic.twitter.com/n05nPV5cea
— ????????????. ???????????????????????? ????|| BLM (@Neeyoncee) November 15, 2020
Lil Nas X
Crashing into the scene as one of the biggest queer artists in rap, Lil Nas X has never let down a moment to embrace androgyny and colour on the runway. Cannot help but stan. Also, like all of these men, he is incredibly hot. I promise this isn’t a thirst thread, but confidence in clothing is attractive.
pls HE ! pic.twitter.com/wTF8iS3TQW
— ☾︎????????????????????????⭒ DESTIEL IS CANON (@bradicaprio90s) November 14, 2020
RuPaul Charles
Obviously, RuPaul had to be here. One of the worlds leading pioneers of drag, who basically turned the artform into a worldwide phenomenon. Also, the fact that he still gets into full geish at his age, and looks better every year, is beyond me.
quite obvious but
rupaul charles pic.twitter.com/XsqdfHktx0— gaby/alex ???? (@lHATEJAKE) November 14, 2020
Frank Ocean
King. King. King. Y’all know who this is by now.
https://twitter.com/faultylime/status/1327746271491346442?s=20
Ecco2k
Singer, designer, model, director, there really isn’t anything that Zak Arogundade can’t do. Androgynous clothing has always been his style, and Gen Z is absolutely in love with it. (The kids are in safe hands).
ecco2k also !!!! pic.twitter.com/qp9DF1GTd5
— َ (@ICYHOUR) November 14, 2020
Jaden Smith
A lot like Harry Styles but cooler, and pretty ahead of the game when it comes to this androgynous business. Let’s put Jaden on the cover of Vogue after Harry Styles, yeah?
jaden smith pic.twitter.com/H2GxI5hENl
— the chosen one (@RINYUSHOKUU) November 13, 2020
Billy Porter
You probably know this name by now if you’ve watched the recent red carpets from the U.S. Billy Porter knows how to slay, and will keep on slaying. Bless him.
billy porter pic.twitter.com/u5tfFyEXx9
— the chosen one (@RINYUSHOKUU) November 13, 2020
Miss J Alexander
America’s Next Top Model may have gifted the world with problematic foolery, but it also graced our lives with Miss J Alexander, the larger-than-life presence who always looks iconic.
miss J alexander pic.twitter.com/Y4q44cdyOp
— the chosen one (@RINYUSHOKUU) November 13, 2020
Little Richard
If Prince is the modern blueprint, then Little Richard was his. We cannot help but stan the godfather of androgyny.
little richard pretty much paved the way from prince and bowie alike pic.twitter.com/71f5cxzySW
— the chosen one (@RINYUSHOKUU) November 14, 2020
Luka Sabbat
American model with 2.4m Insta followers. I don’t think it’s possible for Sabbat to look bad, and I need that Vogue cover immediately. Move over Harry Styles.
Luka Sabbat pic.twitter.com/AdehxBvHVT
— Liv (@Livjayce7) November 15, 2020
Steve Lacy
Incredible musician and member of The Internet, Steve Lacy always looks so stylish, and I just want to achieve that level of confidence.
Steve Lacy pic.twitter.com/brZ5urc6I7
— Autumn Knox (@AutumnHBJKnox) November 15, 2020
