'I hated wearing a dress': 'Next in Fashion' star James Ford recalls journey of coming out as transgender
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: James Ford shows his splendid sewing skill on 'Next in Fashion' Season 2 with hopes of becoming a big name in the fashion world. However, in an episode of the most recent Netflix series, all of the participants experience nostalgia after being given the task of redesigning any childhood costume.
During 'Next in Fashion' Season 2 Episode 4, James turns emotional as he recalls his childhood experience of coming out as a transgender. However, he took inspiration from his past and presented an impressive design to Netflix's show hosts, Gigi Hadid, and Tan France, and the special guest judge, Isabel Marant.
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What was James Ford's inspiration?
During a challenge in 'Next in Fashion' Season 2, themed 'Childhood', all the contestants have to produce grown-up looks inspired by their childhood photos. However, this task proved emotional for some contestants, especially James. He found this challenge most difficult but turned his design into a marvelous piece. Describing his design, he shared, "I'm being a little excruciating on this shirt, but it's important. It's gonna be the centerpiece. There are cool elements I wanna use because a lot of the design elements you see in there, I do like. So I wanted to do a blue shirt to fit in with my brothers. with like a gigantic Peter Pan collar in white and some plaid shorts." James' finished product turned out to be super pretty and judges were left impressed.
James Ford recalls his transgender journey
James had a tough childhood as he hesitated while coming out as transgender. While recalling his experience, James shared, "I have two big brothers. I don't know if you guys know or not, but I'm actually transgender. So a lot of people don't know I'm trans. Especially when you look at me." However, when Tan asked whether it was a difficult challenge for him then, he said, "Yeah, because I have to look at this picture all day, it really sucks. It's just like, I don't have a lot of photos of me as a kid because they are so hard for me to look at. Like I threw a lot of fits when I had to wear dresses. Full meltdowns."
James further explained, "From a young age. When I was three. I lived my entire adolescence and my teenage years as a girl, but I knew deep down that something was different. I wanted to wear my brothers' clothes, but I didn't wanna embarrass my family. So I tried to like, wear the dress and put on makeup." The rising designer further shared, "That happened time and time again. It was Christmas when I was three. It was high school graduation. It was being a bridesmaid in some of my friends' weddings." James added, "I just dreaded every single family event because I hated wearing a dress the whole time. I mean, you feel so vulnerable, and you know that this is not who I am. You're not meant to be uncomfortable every day." James then explained his life after his gender transition, saying, "I finally felt comfortable and only then did I understand you can just be yourself and so I just wanna be here as a role model to let people know trust what you know is right and go do it."
