Model twins inspired by #FreeTheNipple campaign create androgynous photo series featuring bare faces, genderless clothing and 'taboo' ARMPIT HAIR

  • Chiara and Norina Gasteiger explore androgyny in bold photo series
  • Twins seek to challenge norms surrounding gender and 'body hair' norm
  • The #FreeTheNipple campaign was a major source of inspiration
  • The photos are a personal project directed and devised by the sisters

By Sam Bailey For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:15 EST, 29 April 2015 | Updated: 03:39 EST, 29 April 2015

Patti Smith made it famous in the late sixties, but now the under arm hair statement is back.

Two New Zealand twins are causing a stir online with the release of a new androgynous photo series - complete with unshaven arm pits.

The 20-year-old fraternal sisters, Chiara and Norina Gasteiger, from Nelson, have released the photos in the hope to defy stereotypical norms of beauty, both in the fashion industry and society as a whole.

'Norina and I wanted to confront the existing beauty standards in society as well as draw attention to one of many gender inequalities,' Chiara, who photographed Norina for the photo series, told Daily Mail Australia. 'Having armpit hair is depicted as ‘normal’ for men, however contains negative ideologies for women, even though it’s completely natural!' 

Challenging beauty stereotypes: New Zealand model twins Chiara and Norina (pictured) Gasteiger have created an androgynous photo series

Challenging beauty stereotypes: New Zealand model twins Chiara and Norina (pictured) Gasteiger have created an androgynous photo series

'By dressing Norina as androgynous we blurred the lines of the genders of woman and man, and so hopefully made some viewers uncomfortable.'

Norina told Daily Mail that while she felt at ease growing out her armpit hair, timing it so it did not interfere with her other modelling commitments was the most difficult part. 

'Body hair is completely natural and therefore I had no problem whatsoever with growing my underarm hair out - the only mild issue was timing it around my shaving requirements for work,' she said. 

Androgynous: Norina poses sans makeup and in gender-less clothing for the photoshoot

Androgynous: Norina poses sans makeup and in gender-less clothing for the photoshoot

In the pictures, which appeared in Catalogue magazine, Norina wears genderless clothing and appears bare-faced. In one picture, she lifts one arm to reveal a patch of hair on her underarm. 

'Obviously Chiara and I are not the first to release photographs displaying underarm or body hair but I did naturally attempt to anticipate some of the negative comments we could receive. 

'I was really pleasantly surprised with the positive comments and amazing support we received from people who had read the initial article on Catalogue Magazine and seen the photos.'  

Cause: Chiara, who took the photographs, says the pair were inspired by the 'Free the nipple' campaign

Cause: Chiara, who took the photographs, says the pair were inspired by the 'Free the nipple' campaign

Mirror image: Despite Chiara and Norina being non-identical twins the two have a striking resemblance

Mirror image: Despite Chiara and Norina being non-identical twins the two have a striking resemblance

Pointing to the #FreeTheNipple campaign as a major inspiration for the series, Chiara said body hair is much like nipples - while men have them too, they are often associated with negative connotations for women.

'While younger generations have more opportunities to explore their physical identities [such as through] tattoos, piercings, hairstyles and dress, unfortunately "taboo" things like nipples and body hair still determine expectations of women and there is pressure to behave in a certain way,' Chiara said to Catalogue.

With Norina modelling in the shoot and Chiara acting as photographer, the non-identical yet strikingly similar sisters have created a raw, paired back shoot that still conveys a bold and uniquely beautiful statement. 

'Taboo things like nipples and body hair still determine expectations of women and there is pressure to behave in a certain way,' says Chiara

'Taboo things like nipples and body hair still determine expectations of women and there is pressure to behave in a certain way,' says Chiara

'Even though I cannot change the way I physically appear, I can attempt to raise awareness of gender, race and size inequalities and challenge stereotypes that surround my appearance,' Chiara added

'Even though I cannot change the way I physically appear, I can attempt to raise awareness of gender, race and size inequalities and challenge stereotypes that surround my appearance,' Chiara added

Talented twins: Chiara featued as the photographer for the shoot and Norina starred as the model

Talented twins: Chiara featued as the photographer for the shoot and Norina starred as the model

And despite being thin, blonde, Caucasian models, Chiara believes they are just as entitled to defy stereotypes and said if anything modelling has taught them about body acceptance and how diverse beauty is.

'Every model in the industry is completely unique, so modeling has made me appreciate beauty in all forms. 

'Even though I cannot change the way I physically appear, I can attempt to raise awareness of gender, race and size inequalities and challenge stereotypes that surround my appearance,' Chiara told Catalogue. 

Defiant sisters: Despite being thin, blonde, Caucasian models they are just as entitled to defy stereotypes

Defying the norm: Despite being thin, blonde, Caucasian models they are just as entitled to defy stereotypes

 

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