🪲 Episode 9 🪲 is with Jack Zisfain, a recent fashion design graduate (who I taught!) whose final degree collection was inspired by the anatomy of insects and forms that disrupt binaries between human and nonhuman. As a transman, Jack became deeply informed by posthuman theory's approach to binary disruption. He became fascinated by trans-speciesism and the overlaps this has with transgenderism. His final collection was a huge success. Here we talk about his inspiration, his background, and plans for the future.

(00:41): Introduction to Jack Zisfain.

(04:52): Being a fashion design student; falling in love with posthuman theory; inspiration for final collection; what is a natural body?; insects; top surgery; transitioning; moving away from the ‘norm’.

(21:07): Teaching family about gender; growing up Mormon; being the ‘weird kid’; coming out; meeting other transmen; ‘passing’ as a cis-man; being drawn to insects and metamorphosing.

(33:44): Getting into fashion; being a theatre kid; moving to London; if/when to talk about gender when job hunting; being misgendered.

(47:05): Future plans as a fashion designer; Central Saint Martins; self-confidence; talent and hard work; the highs and lows of the creative industry.

(56:06): Owning a brand; working in a fashion studio; what it takes to be a successful fashion designer.

Links:

·     Jack Zisfain on Instagram

·     Jack Zisfain’s design Instagram account

·     Jack Zisfain’s Website

·     Gender theorist Halberstam ‘On Pronouns’

·     Guo Pei couture fashion designer

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