SUPA has evolved into an agency that represents not only men, but also people of a wide variety of other genders and expressions. We recognise that although many identities exist between and outside of the male/female binary. Our industry still largely categorises models into ‘menswear’ and ‘womenswear’ and those styles can be distinct from each other in appearance.

Several of our models work across both sides of the industry and at SUPA we wanted to give them the option to have a space to showcase their work in ‘womenswear’, whether that be with feminine or androgynous styles. SUPA are very proud of all our models and want to celebrate the different aspects of their gender identities, aiming to give them more opportunity to work in varied areas of the industry.

We held an open discussion with the models you see on this board to get everyone's input on what this space should look like and be called. Together we agreed on the name X Board, which one of our models had suggested. X is used as the official marker of non-binary identities on IDs in a growing number of countries and states. But we also want to remind of more expansive meanings behind the letter. All people have an X chromosome - it doesn’t define our sex, gender, or sexuality. Also the unknown factor in maths, X reminds us that before speaking to someone, we cannot assume to know anything about these aspects of an individual.

The models have written short bios about their identities in their own words, which sit with their portfolios. Some of the talent here will also have different portfolios in other divisions at SUPA. It’s our ultimate hope that strictly gendered categories like this don’t have to exist in the future but until then, with the help of our non-conforming models we will continue to push for their visibility within the industry.