The gender-bending model challenging the conformity of fashion has gripped the world with his unconventional looks and questionable masculinity. Despite being deemed a ‘fad’ when he first broke onto the fashion scene in February 2010, Andrej Pejic isn’t budging and has a string of projects, campaigns and reputable front covers to prove it.
Discovered by a bus stop in Melbourne, Australia, he was snapped up by Storm Model Management and briskly whisked off to the Men’s Shows in Paris. Since then he has walked for some of the world’s finest fashion houses, including Jeremy Scott, Raf Simons and Jean Paul Gaultier, where he modeled stunning bridal couture. He has also starred in campaigns for Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier and Auslander, in which he teamed up with the equally intriguing individual, Rick Genest, aka Zombie Boy.
The unconventional model, who is also a hot topic for the tabloids, is proving to be the most versatile player in his field. Not only does he have enviable long blonde locks, the highest of cheekbones and desirable curves, he’s proved, on numerous occasions, that he can model womenswear as effortlessly as he can menswear.
In an interview with Grazia magazine, he said: “Let’s be honest. You can’t eat much if you want to do this. To do womenswear I have to be disciplined. My waist has gone from 29 to 25 inches.”
The tiny-framed 20-year-old has a string of scandalous news stories under his belt already and is part of a growing debate on gender ambiguity. Pejic, for one, was awarded 98th in FHM’s sexiest women list this year, where they referred to him as a ‘thing,’ tut tut. His recent cover for Dossier Journal caused unease with two well-known bookstores that, supposedly, asked for the issue to be wrapped in opaque poly bags. And when visiting the Queen, earlier this month, alongside fellow Australian Elle Macpherson, Pejic wore a Versace pencil skirt and Toni Bianco heels. Much to everyone’s confusion on which gender etiquette Pejic would choose to greet her Majesty, Pejic opted for the formal bow – though curtsying in a pencil skirt must take some practice.
Having caused scandal, shock and dismay within the fashion hemisphere so early on in his career, it seems that this highly adaptable model will never be out of work. And as he progresses through the newspapers, it seems he’s securing a vital spot in every fashionista’s heart.
All illustrations courtesy of Nigel Stefani.
Check out more of Nigel’s fantastic illustrations here.
Tags: Andrej Pejic, Nigel Stefani
