KOCHI:In a fashion forward world wherein men and women are experimenting with their clothes and makeover, why should one fret over gender. The same applies to beauty and living too.Gone are the days when men and women had different sections in a beauty salon. With the popping up of unisex parlours, a new trend is being set here.
Gender fluid style
The stretch from MG Road to Kaloor spots at least 10 unisex beauty parlours. This, according to makeup artist Tony Micheal, is a reflection of the genderless style adopted by the youth these days.
“Gender should not be a major factor when beauty is concerned. Both men and women can adopt styles that suit their look. The artist has to be expert enough to suggest the variations in the products used on both men and women.”
The youth believe the concept of beauty has evolved over the years. “I believe that we all dress up for ourselves. There should be gender neutrality in styles and fashion, be it hairstyle or dressing,” said Anushka Micheal, a fashion designing student in Kochi.As for stylist and beautician Reenu Alexander, who started her salon in 2010, her potential targets were only women then.
“We had stylists whose focus was only on women. But, over the last few years, things have changed,” says Reenu who runs a unisex salon at Kalamassery. “A change was essential. The concept of people and society are evolving and we had to tune ourselves with it. Gender-neutrality is the new focus of the day and we promote the same,” Reenu said.
Coed dorms
Women and men on the same floor? As shocking as this was for the society a few years back, the concept has turned a reality.Kochi is one the major tourist destinations in Kerala and for that very reason, coed dorms, that put up men and women together, are cropping up in many parts of the city.
There are many unisex hostels in city. “Not just for foreigners, but for local folks as well who come here to break the monotony of their routine life,” said Sia who works at Zostel Hostel in Fort Kochi.
The Maritime Hostel in Fort Kochi prefers customers with passports. “We usually get a lot of foreigners especially opting for dorms in seasons,” said a Maritime employee.
Coed dorms are fun
Pamila, a 32-year-old tourist from Sydney, says she prefers staying in hostels rather than hotels or with her friends.“It is just like the college days where we all sit together and have fun. In dorms, we all laugh loud, talk and hang out,” she adds.
