In 2012, model Elliott Sailors cut her hair short and changed the direction of career by modeling menswear campaigns. Eight years later PhotoBook captured her on our next cover in menswear styled clothing looking very dapper. These styles could also represent a feeling of empowerment for when wearing a suit, one gains a sense of I can do things I would not otherwise do. Dick Tracy’s mobster clothes (heaving shoulder pads with suiting mixed in with Fall/Winter coats and layers) inspired the shoot photographed by Mike Ruiz.

Elliott is the face of /www.exuviance.com/ and has a unisex line called Tom is not a Boy; a percentage of purchases go to environmental causes. Elliott is very active in the LGBTQ community and was just recently at the Sundance Film Festival.

Check out this exciting cover story, “It’s Time To Suit Up.”

Foreword by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine.

Coat: DAVID HART Sweater: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION Shorts: 2WN (Dreems) Scarf: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION Gloves: AMATO NEW YORK — Coat: DAVID HART
Sweater: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION
Shorts: 2WN (Dreems)
Scarf: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION
Gloves: AMATO NEW YORK

1. Name? Elliott Sailors

2. Where do you live? NYC

3. What is your profession?
Model, Actor, Public Speaker, Advocate & Coach

4. What were you be doing at the Sundance Film Festival?
At the Sundance Film Festival, I was a moderator for an LGBTQIA panel. The panelists included Fred Rosser (aka Darren Young veteran of the WWE), Miss Peppermint (Rupaul’s Drag Race), Damian Bao (casting director for the film Port Authority) and Jacob Tobia (author of Sissy: A Coming if Gender Story). I was so honored to assist in bringing together this diverse panel and being able to hear each of them share their unique stories and perspectives on how we, as individuals, and the entertainment industry at-large can do more to support the LGBTQIA Community. You can watch the whole discussion at: https://www.facebook.com/RelixMagazine/videos/1071273326590508

Jacket: ALEXANDRO FRATELLI Dress shirt: GERTRUD Pants: MATUROS NEW YORK (Flying Solo) Hat: Eric Javits — Jacket: ALEXANDRO FRATELLI
Dress shirt: GERTRUD
Pants: MATUROS NEW YORK (Flying Solo)
Hat: Eric Javits

5. Tell us about your woman owned business clothing line, TOMISNOTABOY? How did it start up?
Tom is not a Boy www.tomisnotaboy.com, is a brand I began with my girlfriend (now my fiancé!) Olimpia Valli Fassi @olimpiavallifassi, because we wanted to have a brand that is as genderfluid as we both experience ourselves to be.

6. Could you tell us about your current collection? What was the inspiration?
Olimpia is the true creative behind Tom and all designs are her’s. I should also be clear: this is a super chill, very casual streetwear brand. Currently, we are looking at how to have a smaller environmental footprint.

Coat: NUEQUE @nueque_kr (Flying Solo) Pants: DUCA VISCONTI DI MODRONE Dress shirt: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION Tie: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION Gloves: AMATO NEW YORK Shoes: Florsheim Shoes — Coat: NUEQUE @nueque_kr (Flying Solo)
Pants: DUCA VISCONTI DI MODRONE
Dress shirt: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION
Tie: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION
Gloves: AMATO NEW YORK
Shoes: Florsheim Shoes

7. I noticed 10% or proceeds go to Human Rights & Environmental causes. Why is it important to you?
10% of proceeds have always gone to non-profits supporting Human Rights. For 2020, 10% of the profits will go to environmental non-profit organizations. In order for everyone to have the life they deserve we need a planet that can sustain us.

8. How did you get into modeling? Did you always want to be a model?
My father took me to a model search when I was nine years old. He tells the story saying I always wanted to be a model, but I have no memory of even knowing what a model was before then. My parents certainly never pressured me to model, and I didn’t really pursue it until I was an adult. I began modeling full-time when I moved to NYC, at 19 years old.

9. What inspired you to change your look and start modeling menswear?
When I was 30 years, with more than a decade of modeling under my belt, I wanted to do something entirely new for me in making a personal choice about how I showed up in the world. Previously, I had always made choices about how I looked after consulting with those managing my career and determining what would make the most money. In 2012, however, I finally made my own choice. I cut my hair short and wanted to begin modeling menswear. I wanted to express myself to the world exactly how I experienced myself at that time and I wanted to create a space for more to be able to do the same.

Left: Sweater:JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION, Dress shirt: 2WN (Dreems), Pants: GERTRUD, Shoes: PER FIDEM @perfidemleather (Flying Solo), Belt: Vintage, Beret: Eric Javits Right: Coat: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION, Dress Shirt: ASHLYN, Blazer & Pants: L.… — **Left:**
Sweater:JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION, Dress shirt: 2WN (Dreems), Pants: GERTRUD,
Shoes: PER FIDEM @perfidemleather (Flying Solo), Belt: Vintage, Beret: Eric Javits
**Right:**
Coat: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION, Dress Shirt: ASHLYN, Blazer & Pants: L.K.Bennett London,
Vest: JOSEPH ABBOUD COLLECTION, Socks: HUE, Shoes: BEAUTIISOLES

10. How did the fashion industry respond to this?
Androgyny was certainly nothing new to the fashion industry, but welcoming a woman into the world of men’s fashion did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. Male models make less than female models, as I knew beforehand, but it was difficult to even be given a chance in many instances. I am grateful to Vivienne Westwood for having me open her men’s FW15 show in Milan and to Why Not Models for placing me on both the women’s and men’s boards at that time. Now the industry has created a space for non-binary and queer models, but rarely at the same rates as traditional models are paid.

11. Tell us about your involvement with the LGBTQ community. Why is that important to you?At the time I began modeling menswear I had called myself a “male model” and had been accused of things such as “co-opting the trans narrative.” I immediately set to work in educating myself on the language of the LGBTQIA or Queer community to as to be a more appropriate representative. I now have taken on speaking publicly educating others on non-binary language and inclusivity.