The Fatale: Challenging the Gender Binary of Classic Cinema

‘The Fatale’ recontextualizes 1980s cinema and the archetypal portrayal of the femme fatale. Historically told within a heteronormative narrative driven by a dangerous woman seducing the hero to his downfall, this common film stereotype portrays the femme’s use of unapologetic sexuality as the traits of an unstable character without depth. 

However, this film icon can be rewritten as a multifaceted character, one that can exist outside stereotypical cinema structures reinforced by the gender binary. An individual that is in control of their own sexual empowerment with the pursuit of their own ends. ‘The Fatale’ presents faux film stills of characters displaying their sexuality as blunt force tools of power and pleasure within a more inclusive narrative. 

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Credits

Photographer: Lanee Bird @lovvr

Stylist: Joe Van Overbeek @friendshipschild

Stylist Assistant: Justin Viera @skye_from_texas

Makeup Artist: Cassandra Raimundi @c44beauty

Hair Artist: Nevada Raffaele @nevadastyles

Lighting Design: Daryl Oh @daryloh_

Set Assistance: Saskia de Borchgrave @saskiadbn

Model: Natalie Deely @d33ly_

Model: Gabriella Alexis @gabriellalexis_

Clothing Credits

Look 01: On Natalie; Full Suit and Clear Vinyl Corset Set – Melissa Ann Taylor, Clear Vinyl Opera Gloves – LaCrasia Gloves, Sunglasses – Stylists Own

Look 02: On Natalie; Full Black and White Suit – Maison the Faux, Red Latex Crop Top – Brooklyn Latex, Red Boots – Adult Antwerp x Maison the Faux 

Look 03: On Gabriella; Pinstripe Coat – Maison the Faux, Black Long Sleeve Turtleneck – Brooklyn Latex, Silver Half Pant and Thigh High Leather Boot- Hardeman 

Look 04: On Gabriella; Black Satin Gown – PriscaVera, White Organza shift – Melissa Ann Taylor 

Look 05: On Natalie; Ruffled Satin Dress – Maryam Nassir Zadeh 

Look 06: On Gabriella; Structured Bra – Vaquera, Vinyl Skirt – Helena Eisenhart, Patent Leather Opera Gloves – LaCrasia Gloves, Cubist Boots – John Fluevog 

Look 07: On Natalie; Pinstripe Double Button Down – Maison the Faux, D Ring leather skirt – Helena Eisenhart, Leather Shoes – Hardeman, On Gabriella; Checkerboard Leather Jacket – Maison the Faux, Patent Leather pants – Helena Eisenhart, Checkerboard Leather Gloves- LaCrasia gloves 

Subvrtmag

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