That's odd, I see this as just another celebrity booking a fashion campaign. Something which feels extremely common this season. I would actually be disgusted if Balenciaga purposely used his sexual orientation to flog trousers and jackets. Sexual orientation has never been a selling point for me to begin with, so perhaps that's why I devalue the 'gay icon' angle (if there was one) and see this clear cut - Sam Smith, the pop star advertising Balenciaga's collection. When you subtract the Armanis and D&Gs of the fashion world, you'll actually find that the industry was and probably will always be, very pro-gay.
Good points as well, Benn.
I don't think gay men like Armani and the Dolce duo who have un-PC views on gays are the "homophobes" some of us have to deal with in this "very pro-gay" industry. Their views are just of that of those that are so insulated in their Ivory Towers that they spew insensitive views from time to time-- like when that clueless joker Karl stated that he doesn't support gay marriage... Sure, he doesn't want to marry, and frankly, who'd want to marry him? But, that doesn't mean that a basic civil right that's extended to everyone else should be denied to someone of the LGBT community. These rich old gay men in their rarified cocooned Ivory Towers are just out of touch and insensitive-- not homophobic to me.
From my experience, anything ranging from comments from clients and team members casually remarking "It's very gay" as a rejection towards a shoot, to mainstream men's fashion publications like GQ and Details that will traditionally always cast a half-naked woman to join a cast of half-naked men so their supposed hetero readership won't feel uncomfortable looking at these beautiful male models-- and/ or get the impression the male models are gay, is one of the more accepted forms of homophobia still practiced.
You know, oftentimes some are more accepting of gays who are flamboyant than they are of gays who are just one of the guys. I think someone like Michael Sam makes many straight men, and even women, more uncomfortable because he's a masculine, pro-football player than someone like Marc Jacobs who's a stereotypical, flamboyant fashion designer dating p*rn stars and taking selfies of his naked ***.
Yeah, of course the industry is pro-gay/ gay-friendly to an
extend since there are so many visible gays in prominent positions. But, just like it's welcoming of people of color-- to an extend, there is this underlining and accepted form of discrimination that's quite clear and is allowed to continue.
Anyway, if it's really the case that Wang has cast Sam Smith to make a statement, then that's great. I don't know how political Sam is as an advocate for the gay community, but if he's becoming a political force to be reckoned with, then all the better. My criticism to the casting is, once again, Sam's music and persona is the equivalent of Adele for me: Bland. But I absolutely agree with you that I think he was cast because he's a huge popstar more than anything and will get the attention of the social media followers that have made him a hit. Had Wang cast prominent gay activists, then I would be more inclined to believe that Wang's more politically-motivated. As it is, Balenciaga just went for a bland but very popular popstar of the moment.
Apologies for taking this into a more political direction. Although, I'm glad there are some here who will acknowledge the homophobia in this industry.
