Students dive into personal style and gender expression
Bee Keene, senior in FAA, is nonbinary. They said they began experimenting with their gender expression in middle school when they first cut their hair short. Now, they use clothing, makeup, jewelry and hair styles to express their personal style and gender identity.
“I like to exist in a very androgynous state, but I like using femininity in a performative way — kind of like drag.”
Keene often customizes thrifted items by cropping them to have what they consider a more playful, feminine shape. They also wear bracelets that represent protection and magnetism.
“I think the modification of clothing to be exactly what we would like is also something that’s very important to how I present,” they said.
Emma Martinez, senior in FAA, is a queer woman. But she says her personal style isn’t restricted to her gender identity. She layers accessories, scarves and thrifted staple pieces to create her style.
Martinez has a collection of pins that feature in her outfits. She said they put her inner thoughts into words.
“I’m not the most out loud person, but I feel like my style is, and that kind of speaks for me.”
“How I dress now is a note to my childhood self and like, kind of exploring [and] still allowing myself space to explore who I am.”
