A STYLE OF MY OWN: Christina Saint Marche

“Being a woman is as much a state of mind as it is a glamorous and feminine look. And if you seriously want to turn that illusion into your new reality, you have to be organized!”

- Rebecca George

ILLUSION OR REALITY?

So says Christina Saint Marche - Canadian beauty queen, model, designer and fashion icon. Christina is a cis-gender woman, a long-time advocate for TG visibility and acceptance, and an informal style consultant to many of us in the TG community (including me!).

The most striking aspect of Christina’s style is the uncompromising way she presents her glamorous allure. Her fashion choices are unashamedly sexy - the kind of boldly sensual statements that also appeal to so many t-girls. As Christina points out, a cis-gender model preparing for a fashion shoot is in a very comparable situation to a t-girl preparing to present herself to the waiting world. The key to success in both cases is self-knowledge - and sheer hard work.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

For Christina, this self-knowledge is all about knowing what works for you. “I am big-busted, with long legs and a short waist. My personal style choices reflect these traits… I focus on classic styles. I love the glamour classics from old movies: furs, corsets, garter belts, silk stockings, stilettos and, of course, stunning jewelry. I am also drawn to the feel and fit of leather and latex garments. ‘Trendy’ does not work for me, because I feel it has no staying power through the seasons.”