#raindove

MOURNING DOVE - Composition Wednesday

Challenging Fashion Conventions

While spiralling down the abyss of Youtube videos I stumbled upon a video about an androgynous model called Rain Dove. The video featured on StyleLikeU.

I found her to be completely captivating and to be a true role model in the fashion industry. She has been welcomed into some very high profile fashion shows at 6′2′’ with muscular arms, broad shoulders and 32DD breasts. Despite not conforming to women or mens sizing, she has modelled for Elle, Vogue and Calvin Klein. Her Modelling stemmed from losing a bet so her friend said she had to go for a Calvin Klein casting call. They mistook her for a man, and it turned out they actually cast her for a mens underwear fashion show and she walked it topless.

 Her career went up from there but she still speaks out of the discrimination and rejection she faces because of being androgynous. She often gets told to be one gender or the other “Be more feminine” or for menswear “be stronger, be powerful”. She uses her natural versatility to show people how gender and sex aren’t the same and although society tries to prescribe you some bullshit ‘proper’ ideals for either sex, you can’t adhere to it.

 “CHANGE YOUR BODY, CHANGE YOUR WALK, CHANGE HOW YOU TALK, ACT, STAND”

 She stays true to herself, and even declines jobs when they want her to change her identity. Some brand has even taken it as far as to have her pretend to be transgender in order to promote diversity, but that is simply in genuine and fake. There are brands that are so desperate to please the public, but also don’t want to ruin their ideals that they take shortcuts and aren’t fully true to their own message. She says "We have to make sure it's (gender fluidity) not a gimmick. It's not about putting what we consider to be 'women' in a suit, and what we consider to be 'men' in a dress. It's about saying 'anyone can buy this product. We're not going to judge you.'"

MOURNING DOVE - Composition Monday

Considering that I successfully spent the whole first 3 minutes and 10 seconds of my life trying to act like a hetero, cis, and chill baby- I think I might actually have enough experience to be somewhat successful. 🤔🤔

Haha but seriously little known fact? I’ve been auditioned to play Batwoman (when Ruby Rose auditioned), Gren (Cowboy Bebop), Taylor Mason (Billions), Jules (Euphoria), Kai (Greys Anatomy), the person from Deadpool, 8 times now for various Star Trek roles and more. But for almost every role- feedback comes the same. I make it decently far because I’m a good actor. But I’m 6’2.

When casting “genderless”, “nonbinary” or “androgynous” people that have an F on their birth certificate- there’s one main rule for most productions with a male lead role. DONT BE TALLER THAN THE LEAD MALE.

Even though I can literally throw someone my size or bigger across the room- this has been the big obstacle in my auditions. Emasculation possibilities of the lead male actors. It’s frustrating but typical. However, I’ll keep trying! There’s a role out there for me and when I get it I’ll give it everything I’ve got.