The most exciting new ‘fashion’ magazine that we have seen for years does not come from any of the major style hubs such as London, Paris, or New York. It is actually the creation of photographer and Michael Oliver Love who lives and works in South Africa. Pansy, is a digital magazine that features gleaming editorials where mainstream gender representation is questioned by bold and cheerful outfits.
It is such a breath of fresh air especially how it is heading to participate in the growing process of reshaping masculine imagery. Love told Metal Magazine that he left home to discover a new freedom and develop a love for playing with gender binaries through fashion. After working for various online fashion platforms he felt an urge to go out on his own and his focus centered on progressive menswear, genderless fashion and questioning mass media stereotypes.
He chose the name Pansy because up to now its been a derogative term for effeminate or gay men. Love has reclaimed it and says to him it now means bravery and as an adjective for breaking boundaries.
Whilst Love is staying in South Africa, for the moment at least, he allows Pansy to be shaped by its contributors and the people around the world doing progressive work. Gorgeous editorial submissions come in from around the globe to be featured on the page, as well as work selected from various other publications that fit the vibe. It has become a frilly, floral, pale-pink paradise that is growing steadily.
Love says that Pansy is for anyone who doesn’t care for labels or boundaries or bad dress sense and for the time being is remaining digital online. However, we are sure that Love will soon. his goal of seeing Pansy on the newsstand in the future,
