What do you get when you merge a rugged, yet proudly androgynous, rising star; the fashion world's most buzzworthy ambisexual brand; and the streets of America's queer mecca? Through the lens of photographer Dusty St. Amand, you get a portrait of the West Village as Wild West 2.0, with Jonny Beauchamp--co-star of Stonewall and Out's face of fall--braving the city in the gender-nonspecific duds of Baja East, not to mention some looks from other vanguard labels like Menagerie.
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Serving as the opening highlight of our September Fall Preview, Beauchamp--a queer actor who also recently played trans courtesan Angelique on TV's Penny Dreadful--is, in person, poised and streetwise to a fault. He's a paradigm for public figures shattering gender norms. As he told Out, in regard to "risky roles" for actors: "I would tell anyone out there working to really consider what [parts] they're saying no to and why. I think we should constantly push our boundaries and bring more visibility to equality. I have a true connection to these characters, and to me it's not only about their gender or sexual orientations--it's about the stories and the social commentary."
Founded by best friends and co-designers John Targon and Scott Studenberg, Baja East was one of the 10 finalists for 2015's Vogue CFDA Fashion Fund, and this past Saturday, a whole new line of flowing and funky looks were revealed by the brand at its official New York Fashion Week runway show.
SLIDESHOW | Stonewall's Jonny Beauchamp
Also on Beauchamp in this photo editorial (an Out.com exclusive) are Roman Sipe's gender-bending, black-heavy Menagerie looks; shirts from Adrien Dacquel's line, Argent NYC; and the actor's own Timberland boots -- which he rarely leaves home without. In his photographs, St. Amand captures the common theme among subject, style, and setting: a gritty grace.
Creative director: Shane Lord. Second assistant: Tramaine George. Styling by Frank Lombardi. Hair: Courville
Follow Dusty St. Amand on Instagram @dusterz
