The Gender Cicada Collection explores masculinity and femininity from a transgender perspective reflecting my life experiences. It explores nostalgia as a coping mechanism and incorporates things I am nostalgic for. I use a Cicada motif in reference to the poem by Hosho McCreesh, relating to the bug’s transformation from living a gloomy underground life to becoming loudly expressive, reborn in colour, and living each day to the full. Garments feature hidden or trapped elements representing the concealment of the ‘true self’. Gender Cicada challenges the idea that gender neutral fashion must be a perfect balance of masculine and feminine. It is an encouragement to embrace ‘childlike’ interests and self expression through colour, whimsy, and joy.