Androgenous is the New Black

In August last year China voted. The country chose Li Yu Chun as its first ‘Supergirl’.

Supergirl was a tv show much like the Idol franchise elsewhere – a group of pop-ettes (girls only) performed on live tv and viewers each week voted via sms for their favourite. Each week one performer was eliminated until only one was left... Supergirl.

The show was a phenomenon in China. One of my Chinese friends told me that the Chinese people liked it so much because it was the first time they’d been allowed to vote for something. He had a cheeky look in his eye as he told me this and he was only half joking.

The winner – Supergirl – became a household name. Her image is everywhere, on the cover of magazines (including Time), on billboards, and on the walls of teenagers across the country. She endorses products including ice-creams, softdrinks, mobile phones and computers. China Post has immortalised her face on a stamp – the first Chinese pop star to receive this honour.

Supergirl herself is a diminutive 21 year old with wispy spiked hair and an androgenous appearance. She dresses like a tomboy and her walk has a swagger to it. One Chinese friend told me she “looks like a boy” and another more worldly friend told me “people think she’s a lesbian”. Ooo-errrr.

What I’ve found most interesting is that Supergirl has spawned an army of look-alikes amongst teenage girls. This isn’t unusual in itself as it happens throughout the world. In Western countries, however, the kids seem to do glam-slutty-pop aka. Britney et al with bare midriffs, glitter and sparkly makeup. Here in China it’s more Collingwood Chic. Walking down the street you can’t help but notice groups of 14 and 15 year old girls wearing baggy jeans, shirts and vests. They have their hair spiked up just like Supergirl and like their idol they shun makeup. They swagger when they walk and have the attitude down pat.

I was out at a club the other night and was witness to a group of about ten baby-faced scenesters* at a nearby table. I honestly had difficulty distinguishing the gender of half the group as they were all dressed in Supergirl fashion and had a bit of the swagger about them. I was fascinated by their group dynamics and couldn’t help but stare at them. I didn’t feel bad about this, as I figure I’ve paid my stare-dues over the past five months.

I’m not sure whether dressing like Supergirl for these girls is a means of expressing their sexuality in a country where anything outside the mainstream is taboo. If so, good for them. On the other hand it may just be a salute to their pop hero, a passing fad. Either way, I’ve been wondering... do you think I’d look good with a wispy spike?





* Especially for Bec