Rachel Riemersma

Personal project — Vogue College of Fashion

Who’s the

MAN

Gender expression through tailoring and self-styling, after Julia Roberts’ grey Armani suit at the 47th Golden Globes.

Role

Creative direction, styling

Discipline

Personal project

Location

Vogue College of Fashion

Frames

Eight

The feminine reading — the oversized olive suit worn open over a brown corset top, hands on the hips, blue-tinted glasses, on a pale studio backdrop
Figure 01 — Who’s the Man, lead frame

The project

A personal styling project made in the photo studio at the Vogue College of Fashion, exploring gender expression through tailoring and self-styling. The starting point was Julia Roberts at the 47th Annual Golden Globes, where she wore a grey Giorgio Armani suit — the power suit as a means of challenging traditional gender norms.

The series contrasts a traditionally masculine interpretation — oversized tailoring, shirt, tie, blue-tinted glasses and assertive body language — with a more feminine expression introduced through a corset top. Subtle shifts in styling and posture are enough to reshape visual identity and meaning.

The same suit, read two ways
The masculine reading — the suit buttoned over a pale shirt and tie against a black backdrop, blue-tinted glasses on, hands at the jacket front
Figure 02 — Masculine reading
The masculine reading full length on black — shirt and tie, arms squared at the sides, chin lowered
Figure 03 — Masculine reading
The feminine reading on a black backdrop — the blazer worn open over the corset top and wide-leg trousers, hands loose at the sides
Figure 04 — Feminine reading
The feminine reading seated on a white plinth, legs crossed, the oversized blazer falling open over the corset top, pointed black heels
Figure 05 — Feminine reading

Posture

The last frames change nothing but stance. Crouched, holding the jacket open, and turned away from the camera — the same tailoring reads as assertive or as soft depending only on how it is carried.

Crouched low on a pale backdrop, one arm extended along the knee, the oversized blazer pooling onto the floor
Figure 06 — Crouched
Standing on a black backdrop holding the blazer open at both lapels over the corset top
Figure 07 — Held open
Turned away from camera on a black backdrop, the jacket seen across the shoulders, hair falling over the collar
Figure 08 — Turned away

Credits

Photography

@alexacervo

Set assistant

@sophiavalachovic

Location

@vogue_college